PIP Support Letter Template UK

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a non-means-tested disability benefit paid by the DWP to people aged 16 to 66 who have a long-term health condition or disability affecting their daily life. A well-written support letter from your GP or specialist can be one of the most powerful pieces of evidence in your PIP claim — but many claimants don't know exactly what to ask for, or what information makes a letter genuinely useful to an assessor.

Why a PIP Support Letter Matters

PIP assessors (health professionals employed by organisations such as Capita or Atos) base their recommendations on your PIP2 form, your face-to-face (or telephone) assessment, and any supporting medical evidence you provide. A good support letter from a clinician who knows your condition provides objective third-party evidence of your diagnosis and functional impairment — something the DWP gives significant weight to, particularly on appeal.

Statistics from PIP tribunals consistently show that claimants who submit supporting medical evidence, or are represented, have significantly higher success rates on appeal.

What PIP Assesses — The Activities

PIP is not awarded simply because you have a diagnosis. It is awarded based on how your condition affects your ability to carry out specific daily living and mobility activities. A support letter is much more effective when it addresses these activities directly, rather than describing the condition in abstract clinical terms.

Daily Living Activities (10 areas)

Mobility Activities (2 areas)

Planning and following journeys — including the ability to follow unfamiliar routes, manage public transport, or travel alone. Moving around — including the distance the person can walk safely, reliably, and repeatedly using an aid if necessary.

What the Letter Should Say — Section by Section

1. Opening and professional identification

The letter should be on headed notepaper (or state the practice/clinic name and address clearly), be addressed to "DWP / PIP Assessment Service," include the date, and open with the clinician's full name, professional registration number, and how long they have known the patient.

2. Confirmed diagnoses

List all relevant confirmed diagnoses with dates of diagnosis where known. Use full clinical names (e.g. "rheumatoid arthritis" not "arthritis"; "major depressive disorder" not "depression"). Include any secondary or complicating conditions.

3. Current treatment and medications

List current medications, dosages, and any side effects that affect functioning. Mention any referrals to specialists, ongoing physiotherapy, psychological therapy, occupational therapy, or other NHS input.

4. Functional impact — this is the most important section

The letter should address each relevant PIP activity as directly as possible. Avoid vague statements like "the patient has difficulty with daily activities." Instead, be specific: "Mr X is unable to stand for more than 5 minutes due to pain, making food preparation at the hob unsafe without assistance" or "Ms Y's anxiety prevents her from travelling on public transport alone without experiencing panic attacks."

5. Variability and fluctuation

PIP regulations specify that assessors must consider how conditions affect the claimant on their worst days, not just average days. A good support letter notes if the condition fluctuates — e.g. "on flare days, which occur approximately 3 times per week, the patient is unable to..."

6. Prognosis

Noting whether the condition is long-term, progressive, or unlikely to improve is helpful — PIP can be awarded for ongoing or indefinite periods where conditions are permanent.

Do GPs Have to Write PIP Letters?

GPs are not legally obligated to write PIP support letters, and some practices charge a fee (often £20–£50) for letters produced outside of a standard consultation. However, many GPs are willing to write supportive letters for patients they know well. Some practices ask for 4 to 6 weeks' notice for non-urgent letters.

How HealthLens Can Help

HealthLens can generate a structured, professionally worded PIP support letter draft based on your conditions, medications, and functional difficulties. The draft is written in the appropriate clinical language, addresses relevant PIP descriptors, and is ready for your GP or specialist to review, personalise, and sign.

Many patients use the HealthLens draft as a starting point for the conversation with their GP — it ensures nothing important is left out, and saves the GP significant time in drafting from scratch.