Sending clear supporting evidence alongside your "How your disability affects you" (PIP2) form helps the DWP case manager, and the health professional who carries out your assessment, understand how your condition affects you from day to day. You do not need dozens of pages; a small, well-chosen set of documents makes a real difference.
Why supporting evidence matters
Your own answers on the PIP2 form are the foundation of your claim. Supporting documents back up what you have written by confirming your diagnoses, your medication, any aids or adaptations you use, and the help other people give you at home.
Three types of useful PIP evidence
1. Medical records you may already have
- Hospital clinic letters and discharge summaries: Letters sent from a consultant or clinic to your GP often list your diagnoses, test results, and ongoing symptoms.
- Repeat prescription list: The tear-off slip attached to your prescription (or a printout from the NHS App) shows the strength and frequency of your medication, including pain relief, inhalers, or mental health medication.
- GP medical summary: A brief printout from your surgery showing your active health conditions and consultation history.
2. Functional and care evidence
- Occupational therapy (OT) reports: Notes showing home adaptations, grab rails, a perching stool, bath board, or kitchen aids.
- Physiotherapy or rehabilitation notes: Records describing reduced grip, joint restriction, balance problems, or walking distance limits.
- Social care plans or support plans: Documents from your local council or community mental health team showing the support you need each week.
3. Everyday personal evidence
- A supporting letter from a family member, partner, friend, or carer: A one-page statement written in their own words explaining which daily tasks they help you with, how often they have to prompt or supervise you, and what happens on your bad days.
- A 7- to 14-day symptom and activity diary: Short daily notes showing how long tasks take, when pain or fatigue forces you to stop, and how your symptoms fluctuate across the week.
How to ask for your medical records for free
- NHS App or GP online services: In England, many surgeries let you view and print your medication list, test results, and hospital letters directly from the NHS App.
- GP surgery reception: Under the UK GDPR right of access (Subject Access Request), you can ask your GP practice for a copy of your medical summary or recent clinic letters free of charge.
- Hospital medical records team: Every NHS hospital trust has an Access to Health Records team where you can request copies of your specialist clinic letters or scan reports.
What makes a piece of evidence helpful for PIP?
A document that simply lists the name of a condition confirms your diagnosis, but it does not always show how many PIP points apply. Where possible, pair medical letters with your diary or carer statement so the DWP can see how the four Regulation 4(2A) reliability rules apply:
- Safely: Any falls, burns, cuts, dizzy spells, or risks when left unsupervised.
- To an acceptable standard: Severe pain, breathlessness, or distress while doing the task.
- Repeatedly: Whether doing a task once leaves you too exhausted or in too much pain to repeat it later that day.
- In a reasonable time: Whether a task takes more than twice as long as it would for someone without your condition.
Practical rules before you post your evidence
- Never send your only original letters: Always send photocopies or clear printouts, and keep the originals safe at home.
- Write your details on every page: Put your full name and National Insurance number at the top of each page in case documents get separated.
- Do not miss your PIP2 form deadline waiting for a hospital letter: Return your PIP2 form on time (or call the DWP on 0800 121 4433 to ask for a deadline extension) and note on the form that further medical letters will follow.