Following on from my post this morning, I arrived at the centre at 9am for my interview. Apparently the person interviewing you is not allowed to see any of your paperwork until you arrive for your interview. Well it took her almost an hour to read through my form and all the evidence I sent in and my interview lasted TWO hours!? Has anybody else had an interview take so long and does it bode well or not for a successful decision.
Any thoughts please xxxxx
Yes my first assessment was it your first?you honestly can't tell with them I don't think anyway,mines was long to I told her I had to go as pain meds were due.
Not my first but first one less than an hour.
my home visit was 2 hours, two women came out, one was training the other
Actually, Mandarin,
This is good. You now know that she did read through all of your submissions. Whereas, if she claimed to have read them in advance, could you really be sure she'd not just had a quick skim through the pile of papers?
It also gave her a whole 2 hours to observe you. For example: if you'd said, "due to constant pain I can't sit still in a chair for more than 20-30 minutes without getting up", you'd be in trouble if you sat there for the whole 2 hours without moving. The Assessor's Handbook tells assessors to be observant for these things, so it's important to behave normally, as though the assessor isn't there. Too many of us try to be polite, so will take the pain rather than getting up and moving (to relieve the pain) and the DWP will use this against you.
Anyhow, Mandarin, as I've said many times, the government have given the DWP instructions to reject as many claims as possible. They're on an "austerity programme" to save as much money as possible. As such, please be sure you're ready to laugh (rather than getting upset) if you score zero points. If you do get a big fat 0, then just laugh thinking "You naughty little rascals. If that's the way you want to play, I'll see you at the Tribunal". This will avoid stressing yourself waiting for that brown envelope.
But don't be pessimistic, some people do get the award at the first assessment. Let's hope your one of the lucky ones.
Fingers crossed,
John
I hope because she read through your report properly will be positive news eventually for you, the fact you had to go for pain relief shows her you were struggling. If you would like to lock your posts normally generates more responses from members, here’s the link, healthunlocked.com/fibromya... take care x
I think you have read someone else’s reply about going for pain relief. That wasn’t me.
I forgot to lock this but normally do x
Thanks for your reply
Sorry my foggy brain but keeping my fingers crossed for you x
No probs and thanks. Gentle hugs xxx
I arrived at my interview and the lady told me straight off that she had read through 78 pages of my medical evidence at the very start of the interview and my interview lasted 5 minutes !!
Heck! Did you lose the will to live? Sounds very conscientious. And you can't say the assessor didn't read up and have all the knowledge before questioning. I've never seen an assessor read anything first.
My assssment lasted 30 minutes. It was obvious she had not read anything, so afterwards I complained to Capita and DWP. Both upheld my complaints. I would urge anyone unhappy with the asessor to complain about them. There are formal complaint processes and both Capita and ATOS tend to pay out £300 when they uphold a complaint.
Long, definitely, but you're lucky, in a way! My assessor clearly didn't read my form or any of my evidence, and the Decision Maker just rubber-stamped his report.
The assessor was thorough and listened to what I said. She did keep emphasising that if I did not agree with the outcome to start appeal ASAP once decision is known. It was almost as if she agreed with everything but still knew the outcome would be negative so I am fully prepared for the battle this time round.
My assessor listened fully whilst observing me and seemed to fully understand. It was a home visit and it lasted around an hour I'd say then 7 weeks later I got enhanced for both parts - hope you get the right decision too 
Thanks xxx
My assessor told me she had been given the whole of the afternoon the day before to read my form as it was very long. She listened well, didn’t make me do any physical tests, thankfully, and the interview lasted one hour. I heard back a month later, and got enhanced for both. I do have other conditions too.
I suspect that some assessors claim to have already read the paperwork so you won't see their lips moving as they try to read the big words. 😉
John
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THANKS ALL FOR REPLY..ESA INTERVIEW
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