Good morning all you lovely people !
I have my PIP assessment on Wednesday for Fibromyalgia. Would anyone have any suggestions or information about what I should expect? I am quite nervous and worried that brain fog doesn’t allow me to be as articulate as I should.
Thank you x
Is it telephone or face to face?
If telephone then get all your paperwork together, highlight anything you feel you didn't explain fully so you can give a further account during the interview. Don't let them rush you, if the assessor tries to move onto another question politely ask them to wait until you finish. If you don't understand a question or get confused tell them and ask them to repeat it. If you need to move around again ask them to wait whilst you get comfortable again. Have a drink nearby as answering those questions is thirsty work. Be prepared for them to ask the same question but in a slightly different format. Driving seems to be a favourite question to keep coming back to. Try not to use the phrase "better days" try to use something else such as "on days when the pain is a little less" the phrase better days makes them think we can challenge Mo Farrah to a race - 🤣hope all goes well.
Also, make sure you tell them that on days when the pain is less it takes you twice as long as other people to... (whatever) you get points for this too. And never say you have good days.
Remember that they are not your friend and they assess you from the time you walk in the room if it's face to face, or from the minute you speak if it's on the phone. I kept a dairy for 10 days before the assessment. Keep a copy of the form you filled in so you can refer to it.
Note how you are affected mentally, emotionally and socially, ie., as in social isolation. And all the best, I wish you success. If you have the experience I had of being awarded 0 points, please appeal as most decisions are overturned on appeal, which is nothing to be anxious about 🙏
Thank you so much !
Aww, my pleasure 🕊️✨
Hi I have my face to face one today .
Been worried all night in agony today .
My husband is coming in with me I will get Brain fog more when I am nervous .
Will let you know how it goes .
Good luck xx
No matter how nice they come across don’t trust them. Write down how you feel on bad days so you can tell them. and that way you won’t forget. I’d being writing things for weeks on daily. When came to my house while one was writing etc other one was talking to me and they said I could interact with ppl no problem. She was asking about me questions I was replying lol. I lost that time but have get it now.
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