Please help me, I'm finally having a home visit for the PiP assessment and was notified by a phone call. I was so surprised that I didn't ask questions. The meeting is on Thursday 22nd Jan 205.
I'm housebound due to Lupus, Fibromyalgia, arthritis and eye problems. My back is damaged due to being involve in two car accidents and getting nerve pains 24/7.
What do I need to prepare for it? I've heard lots of bad things and that the investigator tries to trick people so that they relax and don't give the full picture of their illness.
Have you had a home visit, what did you do, say?
Thanks
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Iona467
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No, but I would say don't give them any ammunition. Home visit or not it's your territory. Dont rush to answer the door. Use sticks for even that short distance if you have them. Don't be afraid to wince. Apologise for being slow. Sit in a high backed chair. I'm not advocating pulling the wool over anyone's eyes but we (Brits particularly) have a tendency to under exaggerate. You have a broke leg. the surgeon asks how you are. "Fine thanks" is INCORRECT but we all do it. So be on your guard. You can have someone with you and I don't think they can object. They might just be a bit more circumspect if there's a potential witness. They're not supposed to try to catch you out but there are lots of bad stories. I hope there's someone with more wisdom around (not difficult)
Good luck and above all try not to worry. It's counter productive.
Thanks for that, I'm hoping my son will also be there, OH can't as he took a day off last week for my back op only to find it had been cancelled, luckily we rang with a question 15 minutes before we left.
I think Mr Badger has given you some wonderful advice and guidelines of do's and dont's. It may help to have another person present to chip in if you struggle to answer any questions? Most of all, let them see how difficult everything is for you as the assessment is to judge how your disability affects your life. So give them a genuine picture and do not hold anything back if you have problems doing anything.
I want to wish you all the bets of luck with your assessment.
Be honest about everything even if you find it embarrassing, for example difficulty using the the toilet etc. if they ask you to do anything that your not comfortable with don't do it, my assessor stopped the examination as I refused to be examined on the bed I said that it would cause me lots of problems later that day and days following, he was very understanding and fully understood my anxiety doing this. I hope all goes well with your assessment.
Fenbadger is right, I think it it's the stiff upper lip thing, we don't like to complain, I know I am always putting my best face on just so I don't come across as moaning mini.
Remember that the time is limited for the assessment and it goes by what the Dr writes down,, things written down on paper are very different from a face to face chat. What I am saying don't waste your time and his by telling him how good you are,,, a simple question like: "How are you" getting " Oh I'm grand Dr" as a reply could be written down and look bad for you on paper,, If you see where I am coming from.
From what I have heard Atos are paid by the refusals it makes or gets a bonus for a refusal so in my opinion it will have a bias to write the positive stuff.
Try not to worry, it will do you no good,, I think as long as you tell them about the problems you have and what you can't do you should be grand.
Iona, I am sorry I do not know much about them, I have never had one but I imagine it will probably be about 20 mins or so which is not a lot of time , a Dr's appointment is a 10min slot with your GP.
Do not get dressed up, wear clothes that are easy to put on do not wear lace up shoes. Tell them of your worse days and if asked to do something you will find difficult or cannot do. Do not do it and tell them you cannot. Look at all the things you use to help in your normal life they are aids do not forget to mention this. (I did) if a drink is offered make the person with you make it.
Thanks Offcut, I am in great pain and shaky so stay in my pi's all day, so that I can rest better. I only wear easy clothes and slip on shoes as unable to bend properly. Yes, I thought about the drink aspect, it will be my son who does it as I am clumsy. Thanks for the advice.
hi i have my assesment next thursday at home i normaly stay in my pjs and dresing gown and my slippers as it hurts to wer clothes and shoes so thats what ime wearing ,good luck ,
I've had a previous home visit. Try and have someone with you as support. Have your medicines, any medical info etc to hand.
Be clear of your medical problems that are not visible and the day to days effects it has on your life. Reiterate if not acknowledged.
Normally assessor does a basic medical check and may assess your walking. Don't try to do what you can't. Explain clearly the problems caused by what you do and level of sustainability, if able to repeat etc.
You shouldn't be asked to do anything you can't... say if you can't.
Ask for a copy of the report the assessor makes later (may tell you to request from dwp) but at least the assessor knows you want a copy. Not sure if you can ask to read the report at the end of assessment.
Thanks Jellynpain, I will ask for a copy. I do feel bit stressed about it as I can't work or do very much at all and hope that this person will see this. Is it just one person? x
The lovely man who came to see me , sat at the table with a laptop, you will need any medication you are taking, and dont be afraid or embarrassed about anything at all, explain when the pain is at its worst , what you can do and cant do , dont make anything up and dont exaggerate anything, if you struggle to walk let them see that , if you have difficulty sitting in any particular position/chair, let them see, but i wasnt asked about any physical examination and they will have all your notes/letter etc from the DWP, most of all relax and be yourself , good luck xx
Thanks angelm54, I hope I get someone nice too. I have all my meds and have written them down too as I get a bit 'woolly' and can't think under stress. I hurt sitting in a chair and worse lying down as I have trouble getting up. Hope it all goes OK. x
Good luck for today Iona, when i sat with my assessor, i told him i couldnt sit for long and he said, stand when you need to and sit when you can , he really was nice and i got my award, he/she will ask what things you can do and for how long etc, let us know how you get on xx
thanks angelm54, just had the assessment and the person seemed very nice. I had my son with me. I wasn't asked to do anything physical as she could see I was in pain and just standing up straight is impossible. She said she could see I had all these difficulties and 3 monthly hospital visits for eyes and Lupus, plus the emergency admissions to hospital. The next step she said will be a phone call to let me know the outcome and that I could have a copy of the report when it was done. Fingers crossed! How long did you wait for an update?
Glad it went well for you, i didnt get a call or an update just the confirmation letter about 2 weeks after and they backdated the money from the claim date, hope you dont have to wait too long x
Thanks for that, hope it goes through too and quickly, it is at the point were my monthly prescriptions, all 9 of them plus the extra vitamins and extra prescriptions can't be paid for! x
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