I’ve had a text message this morning from DWP. They’ve arranged a telephone assessment for my PIP application at 11am on 2nd August.
It’s good that things are progressing, I’m just worried that I’ll get muddled, say the wrong thing or really ‘balls’ up my application.
What can I expect?
bless, breath, get prepared now, write everything down, as to how each day is a struggle for you, and all your ailments if any along side fm, your walking, your day to day abilities, have any doctors, hospital letters to hand, they will ask you for copies, for proof.
They will basically assess you, and it works on points, can you prepare food?, can you cook, can you walk more than, sorry I can’t remember the limit, so if it’s not far then say.
Good luck.
Have all your paperwork to hand. If you think you didn't explain yourself clearly on the original form highlight it and make sure you clarify during the assessment. Have a drink handy, answering questions is thirsty work. You can have someone with you or linked into the phone call.
Often the assessor will ask the same question in different ways. If during the assessment you need to move around to get comfortable or need a few seconds to get into a different position say so. They can't see you are uncomfortable so make sure they know. If you don't understand a question ask them to repeat. If they try and hurry you politely ask them to let you finish explaining.
My relative had an assessor who was absolutely obsessive about their car and kept coming back to it. They also ask about pets, if you have a dog, who walks it, who feeds it and provides water for it. Again my relative has a 15 year old dog that does not want to go for walks and has a raised feed bowl so he can feed it without bending down and he uses a small watering can to fill the water bowl. He explained all this in detail but had he said yes I have a dog and I do the feeding they could assume, without the additional information, that he easily manages to care for a pet.
Just be yourself and explain everything as best you can. Good luck.
Hi,
That is brilliant and I wish you good luck with your assessment .
I’m waiting myself for a review but it’s seems to have been such a long time now . Anyway that’s going of your post a little there sorry.
I do not usually reply or post to be honest but read a lot of posts. I find them helpful and informative also cheer me up when down.I just wanted to say good luck hope things go really well for you.
I agree with all everyone has said.They can’t see you so you can have a even a slurp of wine to calm you.It is nerve wracking I know.I cried on mine when I was rang and investigated after someone had falsely reported me but I succeeded .I wish you luck
Hi, try not to worry, I recently had a telephone interview and was very surprised and relieved at how it went. The lady was ver kind and patient, I had a copy of my application in front of me to refer to, and also made a list of reminders for myself of symptoms medications and all the things I wanted to make sure that I mentioned. I was very happy to be awarded the lower level daily living allowance, although what I really need is the mobility side as I need a blue Badge. But because I am able to walk 200m, albeit with extreme pain and fatigue, and I don’t use any walking aids and I am able to drive myself around I was not awarded that element. I am debating appealing the decision regarding that as I feel if I had a blue badge it would help me to remain more independent for longer, and being able to park closer to shops etc (not that I go shopping very often but do need to occasionally and obviously have appointments etc to attend) and larger spaces so that I can get in and out of my car (I frequently come back to my car and can’t get back in as cars are parked too close for me to open the door fully to get in) but at least I am getting some help which I can use for paying for taxis instead. I would say that you need to focus on your worst days and use that as a benchmark for answering the questions. Good luck, it may be a daunting prospect but you can have someone with you with the interview if needed. Sending positive vibes 🤩
You do not need the mobility part of PIP to get a blue badge at least in my area. All I had to do was complete the online form and attend a meeting with the local authority’s occupational health officer. 10 days later the badge arrived. Worth checking with your local authority.
As I understand things, if you can’t walk x distance without pain or debilitating fatigue and/or you can’t walk that distance repeatedly or reliably then the PIP rules are that you can’t walk that distance.
Hi, I also only get the lower rate for daily living, but still have a blue badge. Maybe it depends on councils but here in Buckinghamshire I just filled out the form on line and had my blue badge within 10 days, they didn't even ask if I get PIP or not. I explained that I have to open the car door full before getting out and I use a rollator when having to walk any distance as my legs go numb quite often so I have to sit down. I suggest doing it on line if you can as when I did a paper version for my mum a few years ago it was 44 pages and took me days to fill in as the arthritis in my hand makes it painful to write for long. It would be worth asking anyway, you may be surprised.
Waiting for diagnoses, very nervous of doctors
Extremely nervous about PIP assessment 
\"Help,feel like Iam on the verge of a nervous breakdown\"
Getting back to work and PIP….
