Got 0 Points on PIP? Here's What Went Wrong (And How to Fix It)
By the RightfulUK team • • 4 min read • Reviewed for accuracy
You have a genuine disability. You struggle every day. And the DWP gave you 0 points.
It feels like a slap in the face. Like they're saying your condition doesn't exist.
They're wrong. And the statistics prove it.
You're Not Alone
Thousands of people with serious conditions get 0 points. Then they appeal. And they win.
73% of PIP appeals succeed at tribunal.
0 points doesn't mean you don't qualify. It means the system failed you.
Why It Happens
The most common reasons for 0 points:
1. You described what you CAN do, not what you CAN'T - "I can cook" (but it takes 3 hours and you burn yourself) - The DWP takes "can" at face value
2. You described your BEST day, not your typical day - Everyone has good days. PIP is about the majority of days.
3. The assessor didn't apply the reliability test - They're supposed to ask: Can you do it SAFELY? REPEATEDLY? To an ACCEPTABLE STANDARD? In REASONABLE TIME? - Many don't. That's grounds for appeal.
4. They ignored your evidence - Medical letters? GP reports? Often overlooked.
5. They wrote things you didn't say - Always request your assessment report. Compare it to reality.
How to Fix It
Step 1: Request your assessment report (call 0800 121 4433)
Step 2: Go through it line by line. Find the lies, mistakes, and omissions.
Step 3: Write a Mandatory Reconsideration letter within one month. Challenge each activity using the reliability test.
Step 4: If MR fails (it usually does), appeal to tribunal. This is where you win.
73% success rate. The odds are in your favour.
The Language That Wins
Instead of: ❌ "I can cook" ✅ "I cannot prepare food safely, I have burned myself twice this month because I forget the hob is on"
Instead of: ❌ "I manage to get dressed" ✅ "I cannot dress reliably, it takes me over an hour, I need to rest halfway through, and I can only wear clothes without buttons"
The reliability test is your weapon. Use it for every activity.
Related Articles
- PIP Denied? Here's Exactly What to Do Next (2026 Guide) — 4 min read
- How to Write a PIP Mandatory Reconsideration Letter That Works — 6 min read
- From 0 Points to Enhanced Rate: Sarah's Fibromyalgia PIP Appeal — 4 min read
- PIP Mobility Component: How to Score Points & Get Enhanced Rate — 5 min read
Related Tools & Guides
- Free PIP Eligibility Checker — estimate your likely points
- Mandatory Reconsideration Letter Builder — challenge the DWP decision
- Tribunal Preparation Tool — practice panel questions
- PIP Condition Guides — descriptors for your condition