Activity 10: Making budgeting decisions

Scores the ability to make budgeting decisions. Simple decisions are everyday transactions; complex decisions are calculating household bills or comparing tariffs.

All figures on this page are taken from Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027 (DWP, published April 2026) and the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Act 2025. Author: Oliver Wakefield-Smith. Last full review: 22 June 2026. Next scheduled review: April 2027 (post-uprating). See the full sources register.

Descriptors and points

A. Can manage complex budgeting decisions unaided.
0 pts
B. Needs prompting or assistance to be able to make complex budgeting decisions.
2 pts
C. Needs prompting or assistance to be able to make simple budgeting decisions.
4 pts
D. Cannot make any budgeting decisions at all.
6 pts

Worked example: Learning disability

You can buy a single item but cannot calculate change from £20 or pay a bill without help. Descriptor c applies, scoring 4 points.

Descriptor scored: C, 4 points.

Reliability test

Whatever descriptor you pick must apply to you safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly, and in a reasonable time. If you can only manage the activity on a good day, the next-higher descriptor usually applies. This is the single most common reason claimants are under-scored on assessment.

Source

Descriptors and points are taken from Schedule 1 of the Social Security (PIP) Regulations 2013. Interpretation guidance is in the PIP assessment guide (DWP, Feb 2026).

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