Pip assessment

[Nightowl1973]

Hi have my pip assessment next week and wondering what to say and do

[releasethemagic]

Beware - the assessor is not your friend. Their job is to score you as low as possible, consistent with what they read, see and hear from you. You need to be familiar with the scores and with what you wrote on the forms. They will go through some of it again, checking for any inconsistency in what you say that means they can ignore the form, or reduce the score. From the moment you answer the door, they are observing you and recording their observations. These observations are used in the report. Are you dressed well? Are you clean and tidy? How well do you walk? Do you make eye contact? Is there any sign of brain fog in your answers? How long did you sit for? How articulate are you?

Treat the assessment as if it was your worst day. If they ask about Good and Bad days, do not go along with it. All days are bad, but some are worse than others. If they can get you to say anything that suggests there are 4 Good days in a week, then you are classed as OK all of the time and get zero points. You can find full details of the scores here:

drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw...

Don''t assume they have read the papers. Some do but many just don't get given enough time. They are expected to complete at least 4 assessments/home visits every day and write them up, so it's no wonder the interviews are typically 30 minutes only. They can't possibly do a full assessment in 30 minutes. Make a list of where you think you score points and make sure you discuss those things with the assessor. Don't let them leave without doing so, as if you do, they will probably score you as zero for those things. If you drive, tell them about difficulties you have, any changes you made to the car. They often write in reports that because you can drive, you must have sufficient muscle strength and co-ordination to dress, cook etc and enough manual dexterity. So zero points for Daily Living. You need to stress the chronic unremitting pain, whether you can only drive an automatic, whether you need a particularly strong power steering to drive, whether you only do short journeys and so on, to overcome this pre-conception/DWP mindset that driving means you are OK.

The process is horrible. If you don't get enough points to get PIP, you must request a full copy of the report, challenge it if it is inaccurate, contains errors or omissions, go to Mandatory Reconsideration and if that fails, appeal. 3 out of every 4 appeals are successful.

My PIP assessment resulted in no Daily Living PIP. At appeal I got the Enhanced Award and Enhanced Mobility, so don't be discouraged at any stage of the process. Keep fighting.

[Belfasttrust in reply to releasethemagic]

Excellent advice

[Hidden]

Hello Nightowl,

As you may be aware, I'm pretty cynical about these assessments. However, the worst thing you can do is to over-plan what you're going to say and do.

Just be yourself, is my best advice.

Ideally, ensure you have a friend who can be there with you. They can answer the doorbell and do any of the things you'd want, like making tea, but most importantly they'll be a witness to what is said and done during your assessment. (You 'might' need this later.)

It's also important to remember that the assessor's job is to verify what you CAN do, as much as what you CAN'T do. So try to put a stop on those urges to tidy your home and dress up as though you're attending an important job interview. As I said to someone yesterday, the assessor wants to see how you're coping. You're not getting a visit from HM the Queen 😉.

If you're open, truthful, and honest, the assessor should write a fair report. And if the assessor is minded to score you down, then there's nothing you can do or say during the assessment to change that. So, regarding your question, there's not really anything special you should be doing or saying.

I hope all goes well and you get the PIP payments you need. Whatever happens, the assessor will be nice to you, and appear friendly. (They're not going to start a punch-up or even argue at the assessment.) ...Just be careful that this doesn't leave you with a false impression that everything went well and it's only a matter of waiting for a cheque in the post.

Don't assume anything. You may be lucky, or you may be like many others and receive a jaw-dropping zero points. If it's the latter, don't get angry or upset. Benefits claims have nothing to do with what's right or fair. You've decided you're entitled to make a claim, and now you're going to have to join in the government's games. They don't play fair, and often break their own rules. You just have to hang on tight -- it can be a rough ride -- but if you're mentally prepared, they can't hurt you.

So, Nightowl, don't be worrying about the PIP Assessment. What's the worst that can happen? They're not going to put you on some medieval torture rack, nor will they get out the red hot poker or pull your finger nails out. You'll just be asked a few questions and, possibly, asked to do things like touching your nose. The worst that can happen is they write a nonsense report. But you'll then take then to a Tribunal, where they'll take a proper look at your claim and your medical evidences. It takes a little longer is all.

Hmm, maybe they should use those red hot pokers? It'd certainly make the PIP Assessment something worth worrying about 😳. But, hey Nightowl, you'll just have to make do with answering a few questions. So I think you'll do just fine 😁.

Stop worrying, and don't over-prepare,

John

[YASMINTINA FMA UK Volunteer]

healthunlocked.com/fibromya..., hi there I’ve posted this link and I hope it is of some help to you, there is also a benefits helpline so you can ask for advice as well, x

[skit]

Is the assessment at home or at a centre is the start .I agree do not rehearse bits because it will sound false and not in anyone's interest. However regardless of where procedure is to happen assessor is there to check you. A witness cannot be used at appeal unless you have hearing or speaking issues as I understand it both of which you have to declare on application. If a centre is the venue be knowing they have CCTV outside as well as in!How you get to the doors is important and what seat you sit in. I always ask for a chair with arms because I struggle with soft armless seating , pain back and Fibro variants.Ask questions to be repeated if they are not altogether clear. 'What do you do all day?' So you want me to tell you from the moment I wake up? It says here you you do not get your own meals' ....No I cannot deal with cutting up or hot cookers but I do feed myself slowly etc etc.Medication use generally means side affects so be careful not to say you are drowsy or similar if that is just the medication unless you qualify statement by stating it is the only set of medications that allow you to function at all!

Sadly budgets being budgets there are quotas although DWP always deny them! Do try and tell your health not want assessor wants which is to give you lowest awards so meet a %!

Very best wishes we are rooting for you!