telephone assesment

[Juciy123]

I received a text today saying I have a telephone assessment in a couple of weeks . This is my first and I don’t know what to expect been waiting since September to hear from them.

[Dinkie]

Hi Juciy, the assessment will probably take up to an hour. The assessor will take you through some questions. Have all your paperwork in front of you and a drink as it can be thirsty work! Do not let the assessor put words in your mouth, if they interrupt ask for time to answer the question, if you do not understand a question ask them to repeat. If you need to move around to get more comfortable tell them to wait whilst you move into a better position. They will often come back to a question and ask it in a different way so be prepared for that. Some get transfixed on the fact that some people can drive a car. My relative receives PIP but they insisted on asking and asking about his car every question came back to his car. His asessment was and is always referred to as his Top Gear interview😂 Good luck I hope you get a kind and considerate assessor.

[Juciy123 in reply to Dinkie]

Thank you , this is really helpful . I do drive and work so I am a little worried that they will hold this against me .

[Dinkie in reply to Juciy123]

Working shouldn't make any difference unless of course you are a high wire walker or similar😁 Likewise with driving - otherwise let's face it motability cars wouldn't exist!

[Juciy123 in reply to Dinkie]

had my assessment today over telephone took 1hour 30mins they did ask about my car could I get in and out of it , when I drive it and how long for… asked if I had pets which I don’t ? What had animals got to do with it I don’t know. Asked about my job and how I manage . Kept asking about my fibromyalgia symptoms but also focused into my anxiety/panic attacks. I feel like I could of answered any more honest truthful and I just hope they take into consideration that I do work however it’s becoming more difficult for me regarding tiredness and pain by that end of the day . So fingers crossed I am successful. She said 8 weeks and I received a txt about 30 mins after to say it could take 8 weeks . I will keep you updated .

[Dinkie in reply to Juciy123]

Fingers crossed for a successful outcome. Don't worry about the work side, you are permitted to claim and work. I work, more because if I didn't I would become a recluse and my mental health would suffer.

Ah now the pets question. If you had pets it would go something like this. If it's a dog, how do you walk/exercise it. How do you fill the water bowl, feed it, groom it. It's a mine field as it opens up all sorts of questions.

[Juciy123 in reply to Dinkie]

Just called DWP . Asked for them to send telephone assesment report . She informed me that I wasn’t successful and my letter was on the way ☹️. But she would send out a copy of report . So haven’t seen why refused . What is the next step I can do

[Dinkie in reply to Juciy123]

Ask for a MR - go through the report and make detailed notes with explanations as to why you think you should have gained more points on particular questions. Get statements from friends and family or anyone who sees you on regular basis and can confirm where you struggle and what help is required. Never ever accuse the assessor of telling lies just phrase it as I feel they misunderstood or perhaps I did not explain it clearly. If you can get someone who is used to filling in these firms to complete theMR for you as they know the right words to use- it’s often the way you phrase it that can make the difference.

[Juciy123 in reply to Dinkie]

Ok thank you . My mum did do a letter to help support my claim first time round . She is the one that helps me mostly . I will do a MR but will have to do it myself as I don’t know anybody who can do it x

[Dinkie in reply to Juciy123]

There are many charities out there to help or you can use a company who specialises in DWP claims or co tact Janet the benefits advisor on this site for more help

[Juciy123 in reply to Dinkie]

Thank you so much x

[Juciy123 in reply to Dinkie]

Hello I received my award where I have been refused pip no points and what was said a lot of it is untrue and I did send confirmation of medication etc and they said I was on no medication etc. So am I right now in saying that I do am MR ? And is this just a letter I put together myself or do I need to request a form to fill in for an MR . It is quite insulting the reply I received . 😡 . They have pulled me up cause I work and drive also .

[Dinkie in reply to Juciy123]

You need to go through the report question by question and give more information on the ones where you think you should have scored higher.

Driving - they always pick on this. I think it would be worth your while getting help completing the M R

[Juciy123 in reply to Dinkie]

Ok thank you .

[Juciy123 in reply to Dinkie]

Just a quick one do I just write the MR out myself with the information /evidence . Do I have to ring them /get a form as I was just going to write myself to them with pointers of information etc

[Juciy123 in reply to Dinkie]

I am awaiting my MR results by 7th March . I have just been to see a rheumatologist this afternoon which I waited 12 months for appointment.c Consultant was lovely very informative gave me examination also. Confirmed I have fibromyalgia. The problem I have now is waiting for that report to go to my doctors and the fact that my MR is due next week . I can never get through to phone as at work . But do they need to know this outcome . They do know I was waiting for an appointment . Or should I just take it to tribunal if they say I can’t have it . ? . Any advice will be appreciated. X

[Dinkie in reply to Juciy123]

Any MR paperwork has to be in by one month from your original decision date. I would imagine they will only examine what you have provided not anything new as that was not considered in the decision originally so you cant ask them to reconsider something you hadn't submitted in the original application as it's not something they knew about to be able to make a decision on. It's not the illness or confirmation of the label that gets a PIP award it is how your daily life is affected.

[Juciy123 in reply to Dinkie]

Thank you .

[Juciy123 in reply to Dinkie]

Got my MR been refused ,so just filled out to take it to tribunal. I really don’t understand how they can justify how people are not awarded this help . My letter was dated the 4th March but only received it this morning 🙈.. so I filled in the tribunal on line . Since being refused I went to see a rheumatologist who is referring me to a pain clinic and well being /physio . But I do not have them notes yet at the doctors as the consultant has not referred them over yet . So I am going to ring his secretary just incase they require evidence. I am at my whits end as I am trying to hold a job down and daily in pain /fatigue.

[Endolemon in reply to Juciy123]

I applied for a tribunal appeal last July, still waiting for hearing. So you will have a lot of time for adding new evidences.

[Dinkie in reply to Juciy123]

That’s not good news. Have you got any help with the appeal? There are charities and companies who know exactly how to prepare and conduct appeals. It’s often down to not what you say but how it’s said that gets results. All the companies charge a fee and I know one does an easy payment plan as a friend used them with great results and also some of the charities charge too but it may be worth considering as it would take away the stress of the preparation.

[Juciy123 in reply to Dinkie]

I have done the appeal yesterday as I received the MR refused letter yesterday .. however the letter was dated 4 March . So didn’t give me any time to prepare so just did the form on line and hope for the best . X

[Dinkie in reply to Juciy123]

Not too late to get representation at the tribunal though

[Juciy123 in reply to Dinkie]

Ok thank you for the advice x

[Fra22-57]

I was sent letter about a telephone assessment.I thought nothing of it until she said someone had reported me for walking 7-10 miles twice a week.I laughed then cried.I had to send another application in from scratch and I still got full points.Nothing else was said.I definitely wasn’t prepared for this.Someone obviously didn’t like me and now I have removed myself from several people as I can’t trust anyone..It is my husband that belongs to a walking club and guess someone just assumed.Wish you luck .we all need it

[Juciy123 in reply to Fra22-57]

Thank you .

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer in reply to Fra22-57]

Sorry too read this, people really don’t get it ,the days that people cannot get out of bed let alone the house🙁,I hope who ever it was gets their come uppence as the saying goes , and yes wise too keep a smaller circle of people/friends, shame when it comes too this, take care.

[Debsdelight72]

I hope it's not too stressful for you, My Hubs has to deal with all that, they have on my records that he is my carer and any questions are answered by him, Mental illness is a B,

I stopped being able to speak on any phones a couple of years back when I had the most incredible panic attack ever,

Was not a nice thing to witness, I've been assessed by many, I'm sure they think I'm putting it on, My god I wish I were!

I'm sure it will be okay,

Take care Juicy123

Debs