PIP assessment today

[Lupiknits]

My best friend, who came with me to my first PIP assessment and then accompanied me today, came around on Tuesday to look at a copy of my form and the various bits of medical evidence.

I'd really pushed all this to one side since filling it in, and was horrified when I looked at the form. I was in a very low mood when filling it in, and at some points had to use my left hand to guide my right. The result was barely readable, though most of the replies were "no change" since last time.

My friend gently took me to task because she had prepared by looking at my first application, written for me by a Welfare Rights Officer. Her view is that things are worse in a number of areas, and I've had the part-lighbulb, part-heartsink realisation that I've passed a point where I can distinguish that "normal" for me is far from typical expectations and experiences ( whatever they are)

The assessment was at 9am in the centre of Leeds. I can barely get two words together or one foot in front of the other before 11am most days so you can imagine how it felt.

The assessor was, however, really quite gentle She explained carefully that she was simply there to report back on the assessment and dear old DWP does the rest. The questions started rather strangely and included whether I had attended mainstream schools or ever had a special needs statement (fair question actually from a stranger reading my form). After that, there were no "trick" questions and it was mostly about my gastric problems, evident boniness, how did I prepare and cook food, then general self care/neglect, including keeping myself clean etc. On the social side I know I'm isolated and becoming increasingly more so.

The evidence I gave was a printout of my patient records from my GP's online system, which show ad nauseum my repeat prescriptions, plus the entry about systemic sclerosis and various basic blood tests, BMI, BP, a rheumy letter and explanation that there seem no meds suitable for the Secondary Raynaud's, and a couple of letters from my psychiatrist that showed he has recently increased my mood stabilising drugs twice to counteract a very low mood this year.

I only cried three times. The assessor typed and read out what she was typing as we went along.

At least it's over. It's impossible to work out what DWP will do next and, at the moment, I'm too tired to care.

[PMRpro]

Well done for getting through it. I do hope they get it right!

There's a good article in the Guardian today - how people have been denied benefits because they "failed" to attend appointments, Usually because there was no disabled access to the building. One deaf guy had to gain access to a building which only had an intercom to request entry...

You couldn't make it up.

[Lupiknits in reply to PMRpro]

I agree Pro. This building had no steps, just a gentle ramp, but in my early morning fog I wouldn't have noticed the button you had to press to gain entry. I'd have had to lean against the wall and hope for the next visitor to arrive if it weren't for my friend. They only give you one chance of changing the date of an assessment so I took this one even though it required getting up at 6.30 and enduring a very painful 40 min taxi ride through the worst of the rush hour. The ride back was 7 mins!

[whisperit]

Ugggh. Well done for gritting your teeth and getting through it, Lupiknits. Hope tomorrow is an easy, gentle, day x

[MEW53]

Well done for getting through it, make the most of unwinding this bank holiday, cos these interviews and the preparation really take it out of you.

Good luck and keep us posted on the outcome.

[Hidden]

I think it sounds as if you will have done very well LK - so well done you whatever the outcome.

It’s very counterintuitive compared to most applications in life - but the more you cry and the worse you write the more likely you are to get awarded PIP. So on this basis I think yours sound good bad if that makes any sense?

I was punished for my hand writing being too good in my form and same for the content. It took me days and days, weeks even, to complete the form. Cognitive impairment as reported was wholly undermined. So I’m actually learning the hard way that I’m very dyslexic - hence probs academically at school. I’m waiting for results and letters from various new or additional investigations now before starting the whole process again. 🤞🏽X

[Buffy14]

Had mine yesterday and the number of questions about driving was rediculous , how long does it take you to drive here , how long there , they actually punish you for driving it's a joke what's the motability scheme for if we are not suppose to drive anywhere ? Then all questions about shopping , are we supposed to starve and not go shopping for food ? I had all this at esa assessment and it's all the report talked about , 8 times it said she goes shopping , she drives to her daughter's 3 minutes away , she drives to her hospital appointments , it's pathetic , I live alone what do they want me to do . I don't think I will be successful .

[pigsty]

I was seen to grip a pen to sign my name therefore I can trip to prepare food 😂😂😂

[Lupiknits]

Oh my goodness! I was asked a great deal about preparing food. Beyond saying I only buy pre-chopped and get my groceries delivered, I was asked how I'd cope with a baked potato! I hope my answer of scoop and mash with butter and give up on the skin was right!