Dreaded PIP assessment

[paddysmum]

Even though I am on enhanced rate for both mobility and care for DLA, my PIP assessment has been arranged for me in town at 8.00am. Am both surprised and worried about this, I felt sure I would be assessed at home? My last assessment was also in town and conducted by Atos, but in a different location in town, this time is Capita and in a new location, should I be worried that Capita assess differently or are stricter and does it look like I am going to lose my allowance? I do struggle to walk and did write on my application form that a distance of 20m is my limit and even then I use a walking aid......... any help would be appreciated please....

[Lima6MCT]

Contact the assessment people right away and tell them that 8.00am is far too early for you to get to an appointment. I don't know about anyone else but it takes me until around 10.00 just to come to (a. my pain meds knock me for 6 & b. I often have had problems sleeping) so by the time I get washed and dressed it can be lunchtime.

For walking I think you need to stress that whilst you are in constant pain the act of walking makes it worse. According to the Benefits & Work PIP Guide "Reliably is the most important PIP word! :

"You should not be considered able to do something if , for example, you aren’t safe doing it or it causes you pain or discomfort or it exhausts you or you’re very slow at doing it.

So, if you can stand and move around but you suffer from severe discomfort caused by, for example, breathlessness, pain or fatigue then any distance you can only cover with severe discomfort may not count. So, for example, if you can walk 100 metres but you experience severe discomfort after 30 metres then 2 c) may apply, rather than 2 b)."

To get Enhanced Rate of Mobility you need to score 12 points which means 2 e) or 2 f) in other words you can't reliably walk more than 20m.

2. Moving around.

a. Can stand and then move more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. 0 points.

b. Can stand and then move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. 4 points.

c. Can stand and then move unaided more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. 8 points.

d. Can stand and then move using an aid or appliance more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. 10 points.

e. Can stand and then move more than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres, either aided or unaided. 12 points.

f. Cannot, either aided or unaided, –

(i) stand; or

(ii) move more than 1 metre. 12 points.

Hope all goes well for you.

[cattistock2013]

Could it be that they are testing you as to whether you are really ill as 8am is a non starter I would think for most of us Fibro folk. I certainly could not do that. Do call to re-arrange.

[paddysmum in reply to cattistock2013]

Will give them a call, it is far too early for me to get myself up and about. Thanks for your reply x

[Rose54]

Hi

On the form their is a section that asks if you need any help re assessment

Unless you request home visit, or appointment after a certain time they will give you what ever is available.

Does not matter what company assesses you they still follow the same format.

Just be aware that changing a appointment if you have to twice your claim will have to be resubmitted .

Good Luck

[Crusee]

Hi.

I was given an appt location but I can hardly walk across a room .

I contacted them and asked if a home assessment was possible.They arranged this for me.They didn't turn up,for the first appt as they had overrun with the previous person but it was rearranged for another day.

If this would be more suitable for you and at a later time then give it a try.They can only say no.

If they still want you to go into a centre then ask to change the time to later in the day.

Good luck.

Hope all goes well

Crusee

XX

[paddysmum in reply to Crusee]

Thank you for your reply, I think I will give them a call x

[rosewine]

I swear these very early appts. are some sort of cruel test it is as though if we can make it we must be okay. Did you at in your firm you would require a home visit. Rig the. Up saying you were hoping to be able to make traveling into a centre but you are too Ill to do that now and request q him visit after 10 as tell them I takes you u until then to get yourself together. Make sure the assessor when thy come knows this. Good luck with it all.x

[paddysmum in reply to rosewine]

Hi thank you for your advice, I may just do that xx

[TheAuthor]

Hi paddysmum

I am so genuinely sorry to read that they have done this, and I agree with your other respondents as I would ring them and tell them that you cannot make this appointment and give them a good reason why? Tell them about your poor mobility and that you simply could not make such an early time. Then ask for a home visit on these grounds.

I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck with your assessment, and please take care of yourself.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken