PIP Activity 2: Taking Nutrition — Descriptors, Points & How to Score
Activity 2 assesses whether you can eat and drink, cut up food, and convey food to your mouth. It also covers therapeutic nutrition sources like PEG feeds or NG tubes.
This is a Daily Living activity. Maximum score: 10 points.
All Descriptors for Taking Nutrition
| Descriptor | Description | Points | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a | Can take nutrition unaided | 0 | — |
| 2b | Needs an aid or appliance to take nutrition, or assistance to cut up food (common in: arthritis, scoliosis, stroke) | 2 | adapted cutlery, plate guard, help cutting meat |
| 2c | Needs a therapeutic source of nutrition (common in: dysphagia, cancer) | 2 | PEG feed, NG tube |
| 2d | Needs prompting to take nutrition (common in: ADHD, bipolar, depression, anorexia) | 4 | forgets to eat during hyperfocus, no appetite due to depression |
| 2e | Needs assistance to manage a therapeutic source (common in: motor neurone disease) | 4 | help setting up feed, monitoring |
| 2f | Cannot convey food and drink to their mouth and needs another person to do so (common in: stroke, Parkinson's, MND) | 10 | paralysis, severe tremor |
The Reliability Test for Taking Nutrition
Even if you can technically do this activity, you should score higher points if you cannot do it:
- Safely — without risk of harm to yourself or others
- Repeatedly — as often as needed throughout the day
- To an Acceptable Standard — properly and completely
- In a Reasonable Time — not taking much longer than average
Failing ANY one of these four tests means you should score higher points, even if you can sometimes do the activity.
What Evidence Helps for Taking Nutrition?
Dietitian or speech therapist letters about swallowing difficulties, evidence of adapted cutlery or special cups, records of weight loss or nutritional deficiency.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not mentioning adapted cutlery you use, forgetting to explain that someone helps cut your food, not disclosing tube feeding or supplements.
Related Activities
- Preparing Food
- Managing Therapy
- Washing and Bathing
- Managing Toilet Needs
- Dressing and Undressing
- Communicating Verbally
- Reading and Understanding Signs
- Engaging With Others
- Making Budgeting Decisions
- Planning and Following Journeys
- Moving Around
Free Tools to Help
- Free PIP Eligibility Checker — estimate your points for all 12 activities
- Mandatory Reconsideration Letter Builder — challenge a PIP decision
- Evidence Request Builder — get supporting evidence from your GP
- Assessment Preparation — practice PIP assessment questions