60 years old, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 3 years ago. Since then I've had various MRI scans and neurology tests, just recently also diagnosed with Degenerative disc disease. I have also been affected by long term chronic depression.
My first claim for ESA was turned down, even after a request for mandatory reconsideration, and I didn't have the physical or mental energy to take it further even with help from local advisers.
I had to claim JSA but the disability advisers at the jobcentre were very supportive and the usual conditions for claiming were very relaxed. I did find a part time job but had to stop after a few weeks, I just couldn't manage it. The jobcentre told me I was allowed a 13 week extended sick period and still claim JSA after which I could decide how to proceed. After the 13 weeks I had no option but to make a second claim for ESA which was accepted, I had my second assessment yesterday.
So, after my ramble, the main reason for my post is this: Towards the end of the appointment the assessor suddenly said that the computer had frozen while she was typing my responses, she'd just go and check and she left the room for 5 minutes. It wasn't till afterwards that I realised that the self same thing had happened at a PIP assessment a couple of months ago at the same point during the interview. This was a different assessment office, different assessor.
Has this happened to anyone else? My cynical suspicious grumpy old self tells me that you are actually being watched to see how you behave while you think you're alone and unobserved.
But than again I could just be paranoid...
Take care folks !
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Delp
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Hello and a very warm welcome to our friendly fibro forum where you can get advice, understand, help and support, along with a chuckle or two to lighten the day.
Have you seen our mother site fmauk.org Here you will find a wealth of information about fibro, including links and guides.
I am glad your local JobCentre were able to advise you and you were able to put another claim in. You here so much of unhelpful staff so it makes a very pleasant change.
I have never heard about an assessor disappearing off before the end of the session, but it wouldn't surprise me if this was a reason to observe you. As long as you didn't tap dance on the table or cartwheel around the room I think you will be alright
Looking forward to seeing you around the forum.
Kay
Hi, they also left the room during an assesment for Esa, that i went to last year. They also let you walk before them, making it seem like they are being polite, but really it is to watch you walk and open the door. The shocker for me was that my ability to talk to people and sit for a long time in the waiting room was also observed and mentioned in the report.
I had been sat next to a man who was telling me all of his problems, he also told me about that little trick they do with the door. we were told in the waiting room that they were behind by about an hour and if we wanted to make another appt for another day we could. It was such an effort for me to get there. I and many others stayed. I saw one person leave and she didnt make a new appt, she just walked out.
She had the right idea ! I wouldnt be suprised if she didnt have to go back.
It wouldnt surprise me if they didnt have the toilets covered too lol After what ive been through with these people again today nothing they do or say would surprise me any more. Here's wishing you a warm welcome to the group.
Mo
By my ESA assesment the assessor left the room twice, fist to make photo copies from some of my doctor letters and second to contact an other doctor so they would be able to place me straight in to the support group. There could be a lot of reasons that they would need to leave the room. I think that they have plenty of other opportunities to observe you. Why observe you while you are waiting for a few minutes in a chair?
I think as long as you behave as your "normal" (like you would do at home) you don't have a reason to fear being observed.
@bluebell99 Thanks, I've been looking through the forums since my diagnosis, it's always nice to know that you're not alone. Finding the energy to type a post however is a totally different matter ! I don't recall tap dancing or cartwheeling during the assessment but I'm so fluffy headed nowadays who knows !! As for paranoia that's not the case, I've just always known that everyone's got it in for me...........
Hi BlueMermaid3 , the PIP assessment was an annual 'update check', I've been in receipt of standard daily living PIP for a couple of years.
I had was assessment on 19/04/2017 made sit in the chair for 2 hours they had full medical reports from gp and Consultants report from the hospital I am chronic sick person these people's (MAXIMUS) have no care and duty towards the sick persons at all.
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