PIP telephone consultation- feeling very anxious

[Fibrokim]

Good Afternoon or is it. I’m in so much pain and burning everywhere. Can anyone give me any tips, feeling anxious about my PIP Telephone Consultation on June 4th. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[Dinkie]

Hi Fibrokim

Firstly before the call, have all your paperwork to hand. highlight anything you feel you did not explain properly. Be prepared as they can ring up to 30 minutes before or 30 after your appointment time.

Decide where you are going to have your phone assessment, preferably somewhere quiet where you can concentrate and be comfortable. If you need to move around or pause to get yourself comfortable say so. If you do not understand a question ask them to repeat, don't let them rush you as you only get one telephone consultation. Do not give one word answers and if they go onto the next question whilst you are talking ask them politely to let you finish your answer. Be prepared for them to ask the same question in different formats. Often assessors are obsessed with one particular thing, driving seems the popular one. They may also ask if you have pets and how you care for them, putting food down, taking for walks etc.

Have a drink handy, it can be thirsty work answering all those questions and the assessment can last up to 2 hrs sometimes even longer.

Good luck.

[Fibrokim in reply to Dinkie]

Thank you so much for your support. I will let you know how I get on. X

[VintageMustard]

I have one coming up and have asked to have it recorded. Was also considering recording my end on an iPad.

[Fibrokim in reply to VintageMustard]

Thanks for the tip. I will do the same.

[VintageMustard in reply to Fibrokim]

That’s good. You need to give them a decent amount of notice as apparently not every Assessor has the ability to record. Call them tomorrow at the latest. They may have to reschedule if they can’t record on the 4th.

[misspicky82 in reply to VintageMustard]

Hi, I sent in my claim form already, I'm just wondering should I have told them on the claim form that I would want my interview to be recorded? I've had a text from IAS saying they are now dealing with my claim and that was on the 15th May. Thete is no contact number given for them. I've sent in more medical evidence but sent that to PIP address.

[VintageMustard in reply to misspicky82]

Call the DWP and tell them you want it recorded and can they give you a tel no, or wait till you get an appointment and call them then to say you want it recorded. You could then discuss alternative recordable dates on the phone with them at that time. You are allowed to change dates at least once with them.

[VintageMustard in reply to misspicky82]

You and anyone else applying for PIP can also ask the DWP to communicate with them in an alternative native format as in by email. I asked about it and was ‘allowed’ to send in my medical evidence by email. They also sent my PIP claim form by email to fill in. Say you don’t have a printer, mobility issues etc and so you can’t send them printed copies anymore or go out to use a photocopier or to the postbox. It’s ludicrous that claimants aren’t automatically allowed to use email. It’s called a Reasonable Adjustment as per the Equality Act 2010. That’s what they told me when I enquired. They even have a separate department to deal with this in Blackpool.

[Fibrokim in reply to VintageMustard]

Thanks for the heads up. I’ll contact them on Monday.

[VintageMustard in reply to Fibrokim]

Great, use every advantage you are able to take from them. My brain fog is often terrible and I do have all the issues I mentioned above. I don’t think they will ever tell you about this department though.

[misspicky82 in reply to VintageMustard]

That's great advice I'll definitely ask them about that. I'm the same with brain fog, it's so hard isn't it!

[Fibrokim]

I think I will be too late for the request of recording the assessment but I’m sure I will be able to record from my phone. I’m sure Vintage Mustard will be able to advise, this is all new to me so I don’t feel I’m able to advise you. I’m sure others on this forum will be able to help you. Good luck. X

[VintageMustard in reply to Fibrokim]

Did you call them yesterday to ask them to record? It sounds like you didn’t. If they can’t do it on the 4th then they will give you a different assessment date. Say you didn’t know you could ask for recording until just now. It’s better that they have it recorded too as the DWP will be able to listen to it. You are absolutely allowed to change dates at least once. Ultimately it’s the DWP PIP department who decides if you get it or not and if you don’t get what you are hoping for, then you can put in a Mandatory Reconsideration. It could well be then that the DWP listen to the recording to compare what was said. Obviously having your own recording is also good. Please ask them to record it.

[Pricey110]

just be yourself and answer truthfully if you need a break take one as it’s a long process I had 2 assessments and they lasted 90 minutes each. Take your time answering and have every bit of paperwork in front of you. Good luck

[Debsdelight72]

Hope it went well for you today, Anyone that says they are not nervous when the assessment comes around are telling porky pies, 😀

[Fibrokim in reply to Debsdelight72]

Hello Debsdelight. Thank you for your support. I think it went well and the lady I spoke to was lovely. I have no idea really how it went and will have to wait 6 to 8 weeks before I find out. That in itself will be agony I’m sure 🤪