PIP TELEPHONE ASSESSMENT

[healthkick1973]

Hi everyone!

I’ve got a PIP telephone health assessment booked for tomorrow and I’m so so anxious about it I feel as though I’m going to say the wrong thing or mess it up somehow.

I’ve been through this process before and got awarded 0 points on every single component despite having had numerous surgeries for Endo, chemically induced menopause, HRT, colorectal surgery & years worth of scans, appointments and pain meds. I’ve been hospitalised more time’s than I can count and the symptoms just seem to get worse every time. I’m taking 1800mg Gabapentin as well as Amitriptyline, Codiene, Transexamic Acid, you name it.

Does anybody have any advice if they’ve had a face to face/telephone assessment regarding Endometriosis (mainly) and mental health? I would really appreciate it to calm my nerves a bit.

Thanks everyone in advance xx

[stacylee78]

Hi there, sorry to hear your last appointment was not great. I have had a face to face, the thing is to talk about how the pain affects you physically & mentally. Talk about the things you can not do, how you manage to do things e.g. standing long? Cooking meals? Does someone help you? Cleaning? Are you spending more on a specific diet? Do you have a cleaner? When you can not do certain things, how does it affect you mentally? Depression, crying, snappy etc. Feel free to private message me for more support. Best wishes x

[Thecrazypugglelady]

If you have any problems write to your local MP 9 times out of 10 they dont know what endometriosis is and will help with decision making when you explain everything you go through on a daily basis( having to reset your brain from high pain every day, lack of sleep Not being able to move doubled over, Living in the bath taking really strong painkillers, unable to eat from pain etc) . Unfortunately the government haven't a clue! I'm awaiting an appeal decision. So frustrating when they give you a wheelchair in hospital but as soon as you are out the door your expected for miracles to happen and magically walk! Good luck and if they score 0 points please appeal (in great detail) and get local mps on the case x

[healthkick1973 in reply to Thecrazypugglelady]

Thank you so much for that advice, I thought keeping it short and sweet would work best because I get so drowsy and forgetful after my meds but I’m going to try and give plenty of detail! I have my sister with me for the call so hopefully she can explain most of it! Thanks again! Xxx

[healthkick1973 in reply to healthkick1973]

I hope your appeal goes well too hun I’ve just become a member of Benefits & Work there’s a lot of really good advice on there lots of guides and forums etc so check it out it could help your appeal xx

[Thecrazypugglelady in reply to healthkick1973]

Thank you you too! Thats a good idea with your sister! I hope they listen to you 🤞x

[DAML8]

Good luck! How long ago did you send your application in (if you don’t mind me asking please) I sent mine in around 4 months ago. I know it’s not a quick process but thought I might have heard something either way by now. x

[GabriJ]

Good luck! I have supported a family member with benefits assessment before - if you don’t happen to get the right score as someone else said do make sure you appeal - as most appeal cases tend to win.

[Bethleah]

Hi you need to take notes in case they get things wrong. If you are drowsy and incoherent that could work for you. Also check who the assessors is ur a doctor nurse etc and what they know about your condition. Focus on the symptoms and how they effect your daily life, sleeping, walking, having conversations etc. Make sense of movement notes to help you before hand. If you need to appeal which is usually the case contact citizens advice as they have specialist benefit advisors who will help you for free. Make sure you understand the question before answering and be consistent they ask the same questions in different ways. If you need to get up and move around while on the phone or go to the loo etc as you would normally do. Good luck

[Allerton42]

Hi there. I found welfare rights very helpful with preparing my reconsideration, I initially lost the mobility component. I have ms, endometriosis and vulvodynia. I find the effects of endo and the latter more difficult to deal with generally than the ms. They expect people to back down and not appeal because people are nervous about the process but it's absolutely worth following it through. All the best!

[Allerton42]

I forgot also Work and Benefits as others have said, I've been a member for few years now. Really helpful guides for the whole process.

[Allerton42]

Or rather spelt the other way round, Benefits and Work website.