Any words of advice welcome

[Happyfacexx]

Hello, I have my pip assessment in 5 days time and am pretty nervous about it, any words of advice would be greatly appreciated, also has anyone ever recoded there assessment, it says you need to be able to produce 2 hard copies there and then, I wouldn’t know where to begin, it’s all so overwhelming

[Jenkinsaj]

Good luck. Remember to answer the questions based on your worst day possible. The key is a task needs to be done safely, reliably and repeatedly. We eventually took advice from Citizens advice bureau as my husband scored 0 at assessment, after much wrangling and 2 mandatory reconsiderations, we had to go to court, the ruling has been overturned and he has been awarded for both components of PIP. If you have time, go to citizens advice before the assessment. All the best.

[Jenkinsaj]

Just another thought there is a really helpful site called benefits and work, for a small yearly fee they can help enormously. Again good luck.

[suzie44na]

Hi , I did not record mine. The lady only asked me the same questions that were on the form and that was it. I was not examined either. I sent in all doctors, specialists letters and I asked my doctor for a letter too.

Good luck

Suzie

[sheild]

A lot depends on the assessor, don't be misled and answer irrelevant questions, mine asked how many bedrooms we have. Also, if possible have a support worker sit in with you either a carer, fellow ataxian just someone who knows the ropes, try CBA for names too.

[peterallison]

this might be a long winded reply, I apologise,

I first applied last july, with the aid of the social worker, she filled in all the relevant questions, and met me at the allotted centre. It all went as well as expected, I was not nervous, despite hearing some "horror stories". by the time I heard I had been turned down, my social worker went long term sick, so she failed to apply for the appeal on time,and the lady who was the so called specialist for North Yorkshire council had just retired, I missed it completely. I waited until well after xmas, 2018, and got a new social worker, and she was great, she put me in touch with her colleague , who came and went thru it all again. I had another assessment, but due to circumstances, had to go alone, I knew what to expect, so it was no hardship. I got refused again, and on the first mandatory appeal as well, so leaving it for a few months.

The thing I took away from all this is, its great to be honest (which I am), but that does not always cut it, thats been my downfall, yes I can do certain things, but that is more down to my life long attitude of pushing thru, no matter what, and to be honest, thats not what they want to see.

Yes, they know what Ataxia is, or so they say, but they do not know MY ataxia, as its called progressive for a reason

Good luck, and do not be worried,there is no reason to be, yes they can come across as not knowing shit, and the powers that be just take THEIR advice and either say yay or nay

[Happyfacexx]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply I will let you know how it goes 😬

[Wedny1]

I was assessed January 2017 in my own home at 9am my social worker was present. I was lucky enough to get assessed by a nurse who did understand ataxia as she worked in neurological department for while. She was very kind and did not get me to do any exercises as I had fallen previous day and had letter from hospital! I was very confused at that time and my social worker had to answer several questions for me! I then received award notice and for both enhanced in mobility and care my advice to you is tell them the way it is on your very worse day i have my fingers crossed for you. 😔

[Happyfacexx in reply to Wedny1]

Thank you wedny 1

[ddmagee1]

Unfortunately, assessors sometimes don't realize that with Ataxia, some days are worse than others, so, just because one may seem reasonably able to get around on the day of an exam, that may not be the way it is most of the time for a person living with Ataxia. It gets very disconcerting, so patience is needed, when one is being assessed for disability etc.

[peterallison]

Good luck with it, and it all depends on the assessor on the day, my first one had a face like a dog chewing a wasp, and was very disconcerting,what bugged me, she just stuck ridgedly to the question already asked and answered, bit of a waste of time, if you ask me, but hey ho

[Litty]

I HATE PIP, but I finally got it after 2 assessments and getting compensation payment for Ataxia!

It is luck of the draw who you have. They hate if you have someone present to make notes. Go to appeal if need be. I printed out details of my ataxia and they have no idea. Be your worst though.

This site good

advicenow.org.uk/guides/how...

Good luck x

[carol31271]

Hi Ì found if you take as much information (letter's and reports ) that you can provide helps. Try to be at your worst ìf you can also have support with you.

I hope this helps. All the best xx Carol

[peterallison in reply to carol31271]

thats all well and good, I did that on my 2 applications, but the info/dr's/ Hospital letters were not wanted, as they had the details from the questionnaire that was submitted with the letters they wanted. Last weeks "Last Leg" was a good thing at showing up the people who do the assessments tho

[LOUISASAM]

You will be fine. As already suggested, answe your questions based on your worse days. I was given the enhanced daily rate and standard mobility rate which is ok for now. I recently had a work related assessment via the DWP and to my horror the assessor gave me zero points .Total madness

[peterallison in reply to LOUISASAM]

I to did an asessment for the DWP, to, well, errrr assess me, to see if I could work. As I have said many times at the jobcentre. I have been a butcher since I was 14, i am now 58, I do not have the mental capability now, to re train, plus I cannot be on my feet like I did, and I got ZERO points as well, but am in the middle of appealing, its been 4 months now, and heard nothing. But because of the way I was treated and the demeanour of the so called doctor at the assessment place, I am taking it as far as I am able

[LOUISASAM in reply to peterallison]

Good on you. I've just started the appeal process. I was a field engineer. There's no way that I can climb ladders now. I'm a health and safety risk. Good luck with your appeal

[peterallison in reply to LOUISASAM]

climb ladders? I struggle climbing the step outside, lol

[Happyfacexx]

Thank you all for the advice, it’s good to know that at least you guys understand how I feel! It can feel pretty lonely at times. But I’ve had the assessment now and the man taking it wasn’t to scary , so now I just have to wait, I’ll let you know when I find out. And good luck to louisasam any any one else going through this 🍀

[peterallison]

like I said, it all depends on who the assessor is on the day. We all feel like we are alone, some more than others. Its a case of sticking it out, and if the answer is no, then go further if possible, the whole assessment thing is a bit of a mess, MP's think so, TV programmes about it, think so, and so on.... My dad said" oh, you will get it no problem", like he did, but that was way back in 1984, it was a dam side easier then,.

[Wedny1]

Any news yet? Been thinking off u x