A former benefits assessor has given people applying for PIP a pre-warning about a test that takes place the second they attend their PIP assessment. The discreet test might seem like nothing, but it can apparently be more telling than anything a potential benefit claimant can say.

The 'chair test' is one of a few subtle methods that could trip people up during the process of earning their full entitlement of PIP. On Dr Asif Ahmed's podcast, Jacqueline Gozzard, who spent several years working as a PIP assessor, said this test reveals what claimants are physically capable of - even if they suggest otherwise during the actual assessment.

Jacqueline said: "The assessment starts right from when they walk through the door. There are chairs in that waiting room - some have arms on, and some don't."

• Five early dementia signs including one you may notice at night


• Neurologist says six minute habit could slash your dementia risk

She stressed that the chair people pick makes a statement to the the chair test. She said: "If [the claimant] has walked past chairs with arms and gone to a chair without arms, then [the assessor] would deem that they haven't got that much of a problem getting out of a chair because of that choice."

According to Jacqueline, there's another opportunity for assessors to give people the chair test. She said: "When they come into the office, again, there are two chairs. One is a high back chair with arms and the other isn't - so it's which chair do they choose to sit in," the former PIP assessor revealed.

Jacqueline told the NHS GP that she's conducted thousands of assessments and explained that PIP assessors use several techniques to gauge a claimant's potential without them cottoning on. Throughout her career, she'd casually ask whether they'd found the assessment centre easily or chat about their weekly shop to suss out their ability to get around.

While it might seem underhanded, Jacqueline insists these questions can "go both ways." Sometimes, she argued, these approaches can uncover support needs that wouldn't show up on paper forms or standard questionnaires.

How much PIP you get depends on how difficult you find everyday activities (daily living tasks) and getting around (mobility tasks). According to the latest information from GOV.UK, the current rates are:

• Daily living part: £73.90 (lower) £110.40 (higher)


• Mobility part: £29.20 (lower) £77.05 (higher)

The maximum weekly PIP in the UK is £187.45 (£749.80 when spread over four weeks). This is the total amount a claimant can receive if they qualify for both the daily living and mobility components at the enhanced rate.

This figure is set to rise in the spring of 2026, with claimants set for a 3.8 per cent increase. The daily living component of PIP will rise to £76.70 a week and £114.60 a week from April 2026. The mobility rate is also set to increase to £30.30 and £80 from April 2026. This means that claimants who are eligible for both rates could receive £194.60 a week - or £10,119 a year.

For information on how to claim this benefit in England or Wales, go to the GOV.UK website here. People in Scotland can claim the equivalent benefit of Adult Disability Payment, and people in Northern Ireland can research claim details for PIP here.