What does PFAS do?

As Functional Assessors at PFAS we work on behalf of the DWP assessing claimants who have applied for PIP (Personal Independence Payments) and WCA (Work Capability Assessment) benefits. We act as information gatherers and we assess how each individual’s disability/condition/illness impacts their functional ability on daily activities by completing thorough assessments in a respectful, non-bias and reassuring manner.

We use our clinical expertise, medical knowledge, learnt resources and clinical guidance to present findings to the DWP. After we have gained all the information, we form a report which gets sent to the DWP case managers who make the decision on the claimant’s eligibility.

What distinguishes us?

• We have a great support structure.
• We value all individuals.
• We are proactive.
• We listen.
• We care!

“The assessor was very friendly, very clear, helpful and respectful.”

PFAS Claimant

Vision & Mission

What are we doing, and why we are doing it.

We deliver high-quality, fair, and compassionate assessments through expert knowledge, exceptional teamwork, and a culture of respect. We listen — to claimants, customers, and each other — because learning drives improvement, and people come first in everything we do.

Together, we aim higher every day. #OnePFAS

Our values that help us to achieve this are:

• Our commitment to great service delivery.
• We put the claimant at the centre of all our processes and treat everyone with care and respect.
• We invest in our colleagues and make sure they feel valued and well supported.
• We make sure all our colleagues receive excellent training.

How does the PIP or WCA assessment work?

The process starts and finishes with the Department for Work and Pensions and our role within the assessment process is very specific. Our health professionals undertake a telephone, video or face to face assessment assessing a wide range of conditions using medical reports, interviews, informal observation and clinical examinations before writing up a report.

The DWP will make a decision by looking at the claim and its supporting evidence. Our assessment report is only one part of this supporting evidence.

The Disability Assessment process therefore calls for sensitivity and skill as well as a broad range of medical knowledge.

“The HP was really lovely and worded things in a way I could understand. I was nervous before, but HP calmed me down and must have known my conditions.”

PFAS Claimant

Where do we work?

We are based in various clinics, mostly around the Southeast of the UK including Redhill, Guildford, Eastbourne, Brighton, Great Yarmouth, Bury St Edmunds, Norwich, Ipswich, and Colchester as well as Croydon. We also have colleagues undertaking a mixture of onsite and home working.

All our assessment centres have a welcome area where claimants are greeted by our Unit Coordinators and Assistant Coordinators. Each Functional Assessor completes their assessments from their individual consultation room situated throughout the building.

We have colleagues who enjoy the mixture of onsite and home working, and many who choose to work full-time on site. When working remotely, Telephone and Video Assessments can be undertaken. When working onsite, assessments could be a mixture of Telephone, Video and Face-to-face.

“I was happy, they were all brilliant and couldn’t help enough.”

PFAS Claimant