PIP preparing food: descriptors and example answers
The preparing food activity asks whether you can prepare and cook a simple meal for one person, using fresh ingredients and a normal cooker. It looks at whether you can do this safely, to an acceptable standard, again when needed, and in a reasonable time, using any aid you'd normally use, like a perching stool.
Whether you can prepare and cook a simple meal, safely and reliably, on most days.
In this guide
In short
- It's about a simple meal for one person, not a big meal for the whole household.
- Using a knife, lifting pans and remembering the steps all count.
- Prompting, supervision and aids like a perching stool count as help.
- Describe most days, and what a bad day looks like.
Pick what's hard, any aids you use, and who helps. The helper writes it up in plain words for question 3.
What the activity asks
Preparing food is question 3 on the PIP2 form. It asks whether you can prepare and cook a simple meal for one person, from fresh ingredients, using a conventional cooker.
It's about the physical and mental steps of cooking, not shopping for food or planning meals.
Key things that count
These all count for this activity:
- using a knife, standing at the cooker, or lifting pans;
- remembering the steps, reading instructions, or opening packets and jars;
- motivation to start, if your condition affects that;
- aids such as a perching stool, adapted utensils, or using only a microwave;
- needing someone to prompt you, or to supervise you in case something goes wrong;
- needing someone to do it for you.
What 'reliably' means
For every activity, DWP should only count what you can do:
- safely, without real risk of harm, such as burning or cutting yourself;
- to an acceptable standard;
- repeatedly, as often as you'd reasonably need to;
- in a reasonable time, no more than twice as long as someone without your condition.
So if you can cook once but then need to rest for hours, or you often give up part way through, say so. That's part of whether you can prepare food reliably.
The descriptors
These are the official statements, from the least help to the most. DWP picks the one that fits you on more than half of days. The PIP descriptors guide shows how each one is scored.
- Can prepare and cook a simple meal unaided.
- Needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to either prepare or cook a simple meal.
- Cannot cook a simple meal using a conventional cooker but is able to do so using a microwave.
- Needs prompting to be able to either prepare or cook a simple meal.
- Needs supervision or assistance to either prepare or cook a simple meal.
- Cannot prepare and cook food.
Example answers
Invented examples, not real claims. Write your own in your own words, about your own day.
Weak: "I struggle to cook because of my arthritis."
This doesn't say what happens, how often, or what help is needed.
Clearer: "On most days my hands are too stiff to hold a knife safely, so I can't chop vegetables. I use a perching stool because standing at the cooker for long tires my legs. Someone prompts me to turn things off, as I've left the gas on twice this month. Without a microwave meal I'd often not eat at all."
This says what's hard, the aid used, the help needed, how often it happens, and a real example.
Good days and bad days
DWP looks at what's true on more than half of days over a year. If your ability to cook varies, say what you can manage on a typical day and on a bad day, and how many bad days you have in a normal week or month.
Evidence that helps
Useful evidence includes a letter from a GP, occupational therapist or consultant that mentions your grip, memory or balance, an occupational therapy assessment, or a note from someone who has seen you try to cook. Send copies, not originals. See what to send with your PIP form.
Common questions
What counts as a simple meal for PIP?
It means a main meal for one person, made from fresh ingredients on a normal cooker, such as a chop, potatoes and vegetables. It's not a large meal for the whole household, and not food you just heat up.
Does using a microwave count as preparing food?
If you can only cook a simple meal in a microwave, not on a cooker, that counts as needing help with this activity. Say so if that's true for you.
What if someone else usually cooks for me?
Describe what you could manage on your own, safely and in a reasonable time, not what actually happens at home. If you can't do it at all, say so.
Does forgetting the cooker count?
Yes. If you forget steps, leave the gas on, or need reminding to start or finish cooking, that's part of whether you can prepare food reliably.
Is shopping for food part of this activity?
No. Preparing food only covers the steps of making and cooking a meal, not buying the ingredients.
Claiming is free
You can apply to DWP directly, and Citizens Advice can help at no cost. We're here if you'd rather do it yourself, at your own pace, any time, with no appointment to wait for.
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Sources
- The Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) Regulations 2013, Schedule 1 - legislation.gov.uk - checked 27 September 2026
- PIP assessment guide part 2: the assessment criteria - GOV.UK - checked 27 September 2026