PIP descriptor query - Preparing/Cooking food.

Hi Tebor

It is generally assumed that a person cannot chop food for the 8pts - though I know of people who can chop, but are unable to complete any other aspects of putting a meal together and so it is deemed that they are not able to do it.

BIS

Hi Tebor

I can't tell you - I'm not an assessor. Much will depend on what your condition is and the difficulties you have told them about. You can say what you think you should have been awarded and why.

If you click on the link below and scroll about three quarters down under PIP DWP Resources - you will see the assessment guide that they use. That will tell you more..

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants

Think about breaking the activity down into smaller components where you can identify problems that you would have.

Look back at what you said on your form. - So for Preparing Food; you can break it down into preparing the food and cooking it, you can break preparing the food down into; selecting the right food, checking that it is still good to use, washing it, peeling and cutting as necessary.

Then think of the problems that you have and map them onto the activities, so physical problems might mean that have problems with peeling and cutting, mental health problems might mean that you don't actually get the food out in the first place, cognitive problems might mean that you do not select appropriate food or check that it is still in date.

For each combination explain why you are affected, how and whether help from an aid of a person would allow you to complete the activity, there is a formula in the guide for each activity of the things to include.

Lastly, when you are thinking about each activity, consider whether the problem you have would impact on your ability to do another activity. So physical problems with preparing food may also mean you have problems with washing and dressing, mental health problems may also impact on these activities and cognitive problems may mean that you need help with money.

BIS

Tebor

You need to be aware of the difference between 1(f) and the other Descriptors for this activity, as the former refers to "food" and the others to a "simple meal" there is also the switch from "or" to "and" so yes, is you can prepare food but not cook then you still will not score.

This Descriptor, 1(f), is aimed at claimants with the most significant of disabilities who, and you should not take this literally, are unable to make toast!

If you are able to show that you are unable to reliably use a hob then you are more likely to be assessing yourself as meeting

1(c) Cannot cook a simple meal using a conventional cooker but is able to do so using a microwave.

Gordon--