Hi,
At long last I have a date for my assessment I have been waiting over a year!
I was just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to get through it and what I should take. My daughter is coming with me to give me support.
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks
Pam
Just be yourself and be honest as you can about your illness and make it look like you are really suffering severe pain which you have to live with on a daily basis for the rest of your life. The panel will ask you questions about how your medical condition was last November 2014 so say that it was really bad and that your condition has become worse and deteriorated and watch that the panel members do not try to trip you up with what you are saying because they will do that and they are very smart in how they word their questions. The woman on my panel which I recently had on June 19 2015 said how did you get dressed this morning because I was wearing trousers and I said with great difficulty because I have a bad knee and it is extremely painful and I have no one to help me. if she or he ask you who helps you say that your daughter does or a friend if you can and tell your daughter to be very careful what she says to them because when you have had your tribunial they tell you to sit outside the room until they decide then they let you know if you are entitled straight away. I was annoyed because I use to have High Rate Mobility when I had been diagnosed with Fibroymalgia even though I suffered already with SLE Lupus and that changed when they changed it to PIP and now they will only give me Daily Component at a Standard Rate however they have refused me Mobility but I suppose I am grateful that they are giving me something. I would advise you to not wear any make-up if you do and wear a top which has no buttons and shoes that just slip on to your feet. They watch every move that you make and what you are wearing and how you speak to them. Anyway I wish you all the very best and good luck stay strong and just remember it is you with the medical illness not them so be yourself and tell them what you have to go through for the rest of your life take care 
Thank you! I am not looking forward to it but it has to be done.
I have not personally been through anything of this nature but I would have thought just being yourself (as miltonmadden) says sounds like good advice. I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck.
All my hopes and dreams for you
Ken
I have just received a date for mine too. I had to contact them to change it because it was due to be where there are 18 steps even though I told them I can use stairs so now changed to a ground floor place further away. Ive been waiting since Feb and just want it over with as it is so stressful. I wish you luck with your assessment. Say it like it is but be aware of the trip up questions they ask. If you copied your form make sure you read through it before you go and remember they watch you from the moment you arrive at the assessment centre. Good luck Joolz.x
Just tell them exactly how it is! That's what I did! I was determined to just open up & tell them about my day! I got very emotional because it was the first time I'd actually had to talk about my health in such depth to a complete stranger! Strangely though, I felt very calm & was quite glad to get it all out! I felt sorry for the Doctor actually.. he must have thought I was a lunatic! He asked a few questions but really just let me talk, while he wrote everything I said. It really is the perfect time to tell them everything about the difficulties you face on a day to day basis, the pain, the mental strain, the exhaustion... just everything. I took appointment letters & prescription details of the medication I take. Tell them about any side effects of the meds you are taking too.
My OH came in with me because he sees how my health problems affect me daily, so he was a good reminder of things I might have forgot to tell the doctor (brain fog!) & could tell the doctor of the support he offered.
Anyway, I passed & received the lowest rate for both but it took me 4 years to get it, so I cannot complain.
I won't wish you luck because it's not about luck... it's about receiving what you are entitled to as a disabled person.
Let us know how you get on...
Debs <3
Hi Pam
Is your assessment for ESA or for PIP?
Hugs Lu xx
ESA
My advice would be not to be taken in by their nice friendly way they treat you.
It lulls you into a false sense of security that they actually care about you. Obviously some of them genuinely do, but the majority are acting this way in order to get you to open up about the things you can do. They then massively exaggerate what you are able to do. If you can, try to concentrate on all the things you can't do, or can't do without help.
It is good that you have someone going with you.
I hope it goes well for you.
Hugs Lu xx
Thanks
Pip assessment 
DWP????
DWP interview
dwp
dwp phone call
