Thank you all for your support prior to my PIP assessment

Thanks everyone for all your support and advice prior to my PIP assessment.

I went with my boyfriend. You are so right about assessment starting from the moment you arrive. We had to wait a little while before going through to the assessment room. It was a full 20 meters away. Not only that, there was carpet tiles on the corridor floor and they had been put down in different directions, making it really difficult to walk on, if you have mobility problems. The assessor spoke and asked questions the whole way to the room; Presumably as a distraction.

The assessor appeared to be really nice and understanding and although I knew not to be fooled by that, I found that My answers could have been much more detailed.

I was asked SO many questions about everything and because My thinking is a bit slowed down and I have problems finding words, I struggled to give full, detailed answers to the questions. Even my boyfriend was a bit caught out and didnt fill in many gaps, and he is a very capable and vocal person!

I was asked to do some very basic movements and should have said that although I can pretty much do them, I cannot sustain them for more than a few seconds before I get cramps, weekness and numbness.

I was exhausted well before the end of the assessment and should have asked for a short break but I couldnt think and Instead, I just kept going and gave poorer and poorer answers.

I was so tired by the end of it I couldnt wait to leave the building but struggled to the taxi rank just round the corner with help from my boyfriend and a few stops along the way!

Now awaiting the result. What do you think folks?

A big fat 0 perhaps?

I will let you know.

Keep strong

Mel

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It's sounds like you were as prepared as you could have been hon xx

My Carer said that he thought of loads of things that he could have answered better, and realised other things that he completely forgot to mention, so I imagine that's quite a common occurrence.

I didn't have the movement part of the assessment as I was an unresponsive heap in the corner at the time but it didn't negatively impact the score to be honest.

It takes a while for the DWP to receive the assessment, let alone analyse it themselves, so if there's anything you feel wasn't explored or explained during the assessment - get a medical professional to write a report on the matter asap & you can send it directly to the DWP to be assessed alongside your original evidence and face to face assessment.

I had (by chance) a new consultant write to my GP in between having my interview & receiving the DWP's decision, so we popped a copy of the letter in the post (recorded next day delivery) to the DWP & they added it to my file, as it gave a greater insight into things that had been mentioned during my assessment.

The biggest issue with me, was providing enough evidence to prove that episodes of FND take a variety of forms and affect me more than 50% of the month and challenge my mobility & daily living activities.

I'm still of the opinion that it was easier to present this to them in a hemiplegic state, with my Carer having to communicate for me, but would have been far more difficult if I had been personally capable of sitting up and chatting with them at that time, in fact, my Carer had called to postpone twice as I was so ill, but they'd only agreed to it the first time & explained that they would have cancelled the application if we'd not attended the second postponed interview.

I was completely sceptical of the assessment process, and I don't actually know how I was perceived by the interview assessor per se, but the final decision is by the DWP themselves, and def seems to be based on the answers that were given during the interview, which is then backed up by medical evidence.

So you will now be relying on how the answers given during the interview compare to the points criteria, and as long as you offered examples and details, and they were accurately recorded by your assessor, then I am sure that you will be absolutely fine.

It's an awful thing to say that my application was 'successful' when so many people that patently also qualify are turned down and forced to appeal; but I hope you at least managed to side step the 'tricks' the assessors practice to simply negate your need and application, and were prepared for the fight.

I genuinely hope it works out for you xxx

[kjkla85]

Well done Mel sounds like a daunting experience but you prepared yourself well. I have no experience so nothing of value to add but just wanted to say my fingers are crossed for you x x