Pip advice

[TeeRee2]

Have a phone consultation for pip coming up.. Any advice on wording? Or what to expect

[Dinkie]

Hi TeeRee

Firstly get all the paperwork together. Highlight anything you feel you did not make clear or would want to elaborate on. Have a drink nearby too, it's thirsty work! When the assessor asks questions do not allow them to railroad you. If you need them to repeat, ask them to, don't just try and remember or guess what they said. If they interrupt you, ask them politely to allow you to finish. If you need to stop and change position or move around, stop them and say so. Don't suffer in silence.

Try not to use the phase on good days as they will assume you regularly have days where everything is hunkydory. On days where the pain is less severe.....

Assessors can get bogged down on one question and will re-phrase it time and time again - be prepared for that one, and they will keep coming back to it. One assessor I heard of was obsessed with claimants car being a manual one and kept on asking questions about changing gear and getting lost in roadworks.

Try and relax but don't let your guard down - they are not your friend.

After the consultation ask for a copy of the report.

Good luck - let us know how it goes.

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

 Our benefits team on 0300 999 0055 (Mon, Wed, Fri 10.00-12.00) or email [e-mail] can provide guidelines.

Remember , read through the descriptors again and make some notes on the issues you have that you don't want to miss out, and remember that if you cannot do a task reliably (safely, repeatedly, to an acceptable standard or in a timely manner) you cannot do it, and also worthwhile taking a note of how long you have problems for (ie you have problems 7 days a week, or 5 days out of 7 for example)

[CM1EDSUK]

As above, if you've kept a copy of your claim form, then do read it through. The concept of being able to do something 'reliably' is very important. Also say if any activity has a consequence, i.e. leaves you in more pain, exhausted, etc.

PIP is about how you are the majority of days, as mentioned, so you may be asked how many days a week this affects you, or how many days a month.

Try & give a couple of detailed replies as to any activity you have difficulty with, i.e. when did it happen, where, what exactly happened, why, did anyone see this? This will illustrate the functional problems you personally experience.

They may ask questions such as do you have a pet, or do you drive. These are not unrelated to how you cope. Having a dog, for example, may show you are able to take it out for walks, whereas being able to drive shows both cognitive ability & manual dexterity. They are therefore not 'trick' questions, just may cover more than one activity.

The assessors are just there to find out more, & should put you at your ease.

[denny_the_wench]

Ask them if you are OK to record the conversation because of your Brain Fog you may not remember what you have said so you need it in case of any future queries. They really shouldn't refuse - I know mine didn't with me and I found it very useful later on when I got the report. You can get cheap little dictaphones for under £20-30 at places like PC world (mine is a Sony PX 470) and I've found the useful in ALL sorts of places when speaking to customer services to sort out an issue for my broadband for example when I was able to play back the recording of the rude & discriminatory officer to her supervisor when I finally managed to speak to one!!

Be warned though - my phone interview was 2 hours long (it was my first one) so I regularly had to ask her for a comfort break and I'd already got myself a drink and some water before the call happened.

[Aoibheann]

You must tell these people that you are in Constant Pain and Discomfort. Very important words. Good luck 🍀

[TeeRee2]

I dont believe the consultation went well at all unfortunately, i couldnt seem to explain anything although it was all in my head. I didn't come across well at all. Very frustrating.

[TeeRee2 in reply to TeeRee2]

Thank you for all your support

[DodgeDhanda in reply to TeeRee2]

Hi TR2.

If they award U no points U can appeal it in writing .

Now writing everything down is best way forward as fibro fog can hit at any time & ur telling them all the information that wish them to know.

In an appeal letter if U can't do it ask a family member , or ask to talk to a welfare officer at ur local council .

I hope U do get ur award but if not , its just a chance for U to tell them all U need them to know about how U are affected by the condition U have.

Mention even the tiny stuff like U get cramp in middle of night or fall due to legs being a millisecond behind what u want to do.

I wish U love and light on ur journey