PIP assessment is here

[SamGH]

Got a letter Monday. Assessment Thursday. U know what to expect but anyone got advice?

[Art69]

Hi Sam

Take all your letters appointment cards anything that mentions your illness,if asked to explain a good day,you cannot because you never have a good day.

Also ask them wat there qualifications are?

Make a note of everything they ask you and your reply if poss get someone to go with you and get them to take notes.

Do not be scary off them because they have not got a clue what they are talking about it’s just a standard letter they read from.

Your entitled to this so be strong

If you can let me know how you got on

Best of luck 👍👍👍👍

[SamGH in reply to Art69]

Thanks for this. I am a bit stuck taking someone with me as the short notice means my wife can't get of work.

[Art69 in reply to SamGH]

I went by myself,you will be okay,best way to Deal with it is be ready and careful with your answers regardless what you tell them they will just make up a load of rubbish,ask them for a copy of the report they have just done.request a print out of what has been entered in to the computer. They will said to you they have not finished there full report,but put pressure on them for a copy of was just done,let them think you’re clued up about them

Good luck

[SamGH in reply to Art69]

Ah ok. I will see what happens!

[SamGH in reply to Art69]

Hi Art.

I got my assessment letter through the other day and they awarded me an ongoing award at the higher rate for both categories.

Thanks for your advice

[Art69 in reply to SamGH]

Excellent well done,please for you

👍👍👍😎

[xray25]

Just had mine I would say just be yourself and do on your worst days is it at home or centre

[SamGH]

At centre had 2.5 days notice!

[SamGH]

Also I'm convinced they have not spoke to my dr as he is away for 6 weeks. Not sure what that means

[Mermaidia11]

Good luck mate!

Good advice from everyone, I would defo bring someone with you if u can, to witness and take notes, and help you! If u havnt got anyone about at this time of year, insist on a home visit. Regardless of what you decide...

Focus on fact you have incurable, degenerative disease - and you don’t have good days, only better days.

Sorry to say and know how demoralising it is, but also focus on all the things you can’t now do, without help...

Qualify everything you can still do with ‘ but it causes me great pain/exhausts me/ makes me very tired and unable to do anything else/causes me great stress...

It’s all true and like I say you have an incurable degenerative Illness which is unpredictable and gets worse suddenly ... a letter from anyone confirming your diagnosis will leave no room for ambiguity or fairy stories

Harsh to say, but they don’t want to award the higher rate or any rate, so don’t be under any illusions, no matter how nice they appear to be.

And make sure you factor in a rest and a treat afterwards because it will take it out of you .

Very best of luck let us know how u get on

I’m trying to get direct payments so I can pay for some help...Lordy lord it’s a joke....

[Holmej4]

Hi I am not sure if your mobile but I recently attended pip assessment with my daughter and my main worry was she would not get the full award as the question asking how far can you walk, does not mention how safely you can do this and how consistent. I had read this should be factored in, therefore as my daughter falls a lot and fatigue impacts her, she cannot walk safely without risk of falling. Therefore we made sure when asked how far she can walk we answered she cannot walk any distance SAFELY as she can fall at any time. We also mentioned how fatigue can impact her, if she does too much, as this seems to heighten all her symptoms. Therefore when she does go out she has someone with her to help and she cannot consistently do the same thing, as everything is heightened on days and I usually notice this with tiredness, fatigue mostly.

I would make notes of anything that impacts you and anything you use to help you manage, any stools to sit when fatigued, lids on cups to prevent spills, stool to sit on in shower to prevent falls, help getting in and out of bath, help to cook if you have symptoms that impact or put you at risk of burns, scalds.

Try and think of anything that causes you a risk and how you need help to prevent that. Then hi-light the risk and say what help you get in that area.

Any letters from consultants about your condition or that support your symptoms will also help.

I really think the safety element needs to be factored in, therefore have a good think and make notes of anything that you can think of beforehand and how you need help to prevent injury and make sure you also put this across in your assessment.

They tend to go through the questions you have already answered on your form, therefore if you have a copy of you initial form you could always take a copy along with you for reference.

Good luck

[FFNick]

Lay it on thick. Answer for your worst day. Can you re-arrange the meeting so someone can drive you? Use walker to access venue. Look for chair high enough with arms to help you get up. Take someone with you into the meeting.

When asked if still driving say automatic gearbox or not driving. Regards cooking say no, too risky, someone else does it.

Assessor might ask you for mobility exercises, like stand on one leg, whilst standing touch your nose. Might have to hold on with one hand, which is good. Aim for your worst day.

Use a much assistance as available on the day.

[SamGH]

Had my assessment. Went ok I thought. Lasted 90 minutes and I was exempted from all but 1 of the tests due to the in depth evidence I provided with my claim!? Find out in 4 to 8 weeks I guess

[Litty]

Good tips and re-read all previous posts on PIP.

Legally they have to give you a copy of anything they have about you so ask - very interesting reading.

It is luck of the draw who you get. Be your worst.

I printed a brief description of my SCA1.

Good luck x

[auntiesally]

Be aware, dont offer to do anything, dont accept a drink of water,

[SamGH in reply to auntiesally]

? I took my own water bottle with a straw . Which I dropped a few times. also fell over on the way out of the assessment

[3chickens]

There's a website called fightback4justice.co.uk who offer advice on all aspects of claiming benefits. They have loads of info on the site about filling out pip forms and what to look out for at the assessment. I used them and got the enhanced rate for both for 10 years.

[auntiesally]

I will look at that today

[maryrose46]

Reading replies in amazement and disbelief . I've got FA diagnosed 30+ years ago. I've no letters from Drs or specialists regarding my condition . Have not yet been asked to do a PIP assessment. I can get a letter from Drs but I only see her if I'm unwell ,( non fa related)I know more than her how FA affects me on a daily basis. So why does a letter from a DR help? I'm a positive person but reading your replies I think I will be leaving my positivity at home when my assessment date arrives.

As if our lives are not difficult enough, we have to explain to a bunch of non medical suits how our disability effects us... disgraceful

[TELEEN in reply to maryrose46]

Hi, i have cerebeller ataxia...my doc wrote a letter to support my claim and was happy to do so,plus without charge!...Also i had letters from the hospital in Oxford, Genetics dept saying i had been diagnosed with SCR2..my interview went well,the man who saw me new some thing off Ataxia and understood about how it progresses, all said and done for me it was not so bad,i got the top award with motobility..but any evidence of your condition will help...Wishing you all the best..EILEEN.

[SharonPS]

I was awarded max care and mobility at first but after a "review" two years on they tried to reduce my care to standard and take away mobility altogether! I applied for a Mandatory Reconsideration and got it all back. How could I have improved over two years (I have gotten much worse actually) given that I have SCA6?