PIP Assessment

[Pink-Fizz]

I have a home assessment with Capita for PIP on Thursday and would like to be prepared as possible.

Has anyone had a Capita home assessment for PIP?

I would like to know how long it lasted, what sort of questions did they ask, did you have to do any physical tasks if so what.

Any info would be appreciated

thanks

[Hidden]

well I had mine when it was DLA I had someone who was able to take me to the tribunal and back and also the various medical assessments mine took me 3 years in 1990's as I had other co-morbidities as well the one thing that rattled my cage was how easy it was for alcoholics to get it and poor me who was suffering had to fight (of course I accepted alcoholism was an illness in its own rights but I saw it (and still do) as a weakness in that person and quite an unwillingness to seek help. On my final appeal I was met with a sympathetic chairperson, neurosurgeon and a neutral party, when she read the reports well half them read she put the papers down and asked me how long I had been suffering from my various illnesses one after the other I looked at her as though I was going to be turned down one final time so I went for the jugular and politely left her short of nothing then we had a break for their deliberation and when I was asked back in the room I was accompanied by a DSS representative deathly hush, she spoke my name and I struggled to to stand in the halfway between sitting and standing I was told I may remain seated. Hell that lady and her panel give me 10 years back date of DLA care Full rate and DLA mobility first at 2/3rd rate which later went up to full rate. All I heard the benefits women mutter to herself "oh shit" then she had to stand she was told in a stern way there will be no appeal against my decision this man has suffered long enough so my judgment stands. In those days 10 year was the maximum they could back date now I think it is indefinite now.

The home visit all I can remember is when my step father was assessed he had MS CCF and COPD the doctor was disgusted on being asked to call out and give his opinion when obviously he could see after 5 minutes into the exam that my father was what was termed as end stage. (he actually died a year later) so I do not think you have much to worry about a home visit for one a home visit means you cannot or are not able to get out with or without help. Of course you will get the 10th degree just remember to give him/her the answers they may be seeking and always give him/her your worse case scenario first for example on a bad day I can only do blah blah blah and on a good day don't lay that one with a trowel.

I am sure you will get through with flying colours even though they are trying to tighten the system up they still freely give benefit to those who are in genuine need.

Just remember if things do not go right at first there is an appeals system in place to be used only I hope you will not have to go down that corridor.

Antxxxx

[Pink-Fizz in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Ant,

I am glad you eventually got your DLA sorted, I did have a nightmare when I first applied for ESA I was awarded 0 points! I went to tribunal and got awarded 30 points and put in support group but it took about 18months, I am not even sure that I have another 18 months left!.

ATOS sent me a new assessment appointment for ESA a couple of months ago I sent them my spirometry results my assessment date was cancelled and I was kept in the support group which was a huge relief as you are right the tribunal path is no fun!

It is very difficult for someone who is breathless and who struggles to do everyday tasks to get that across, when I am resting my breathing isn’t too bad but any exertion immediately puffs me out, also although my fev1 is only 16% my oxygen level is always excellent usually 95% my doctor calls me a pink puffer lol

I have just had another chest infection but didn’t dare take my steroids because the boost they give make me seem much better than I am in reality they don’t seem to take into account it is only a temporary improvement.

I have nothing to hide with my illness but I find the whole assessment process extremely stressful it just seems like a huge fight to get anything 

[Hidden in reply to Pink-Fizz]

I do hope all goes well for you in your assessment my ESA I passed with flying colours in the support group one reason they said was my medical history at the time of the DLA review they just said in a nutshell with me the only way is down I just said gee thanks you sure know how to kill a guy's day.

[ldwilliams]

If you go to benefitsandwork.co.uk/

they have downloadable files that will give you all the info that you require

they also have files on how to appeal if necc, etc

think you do have to join though to access the downloadable area, but they are considered to be about the best re info regarding any benefits.

[Offcut]

Ant64 has pretty much nailed it. Do not think that because you can do this and that on a good you are OK you are not! The bad days are when you want the help. I have gone though things ready for when I get around to claim and I had missed things out because I took things I have bought and use now to aid me in my daily life and never told them.

I lost ESA because of not enough points and the fact I could lift my arms up? (DWP stated I could lift empty boxes off a shelf so would be fit for work?) I appealed and won support ESA.

However I have now been Diagnosed with PH since, keeping your arms up can have an adverse affect to my conditions. My trouble will now be to convince the flat earth assessor who probably will not have a clue what it en-tales to have this condition on top of everything else?

Good luck and Be Well

[onamission]

I agree with Offcut when I first filled in my own forms I assumed the people dealing with the forms would have some idea about COPD the other problem is we live with condition every day and do so without thinking so we don't point out how difficult it is to take a shower or cooking a meal.

I would like to see the law changed so that anyone with a long term medical condition automatically gets PIP & ESA I only applied for PIP last year even though I have lived with my condition for 10 years the first time I was turned down it took them a year to do it the second time Capita dealt with my claim and I have to say they were much better than Atos