Sorry,

[blueboy1]

Sorry to keep going on about this PIP. Do i have to let them know i am taking someone with me. Have any of you recorded it, if so is it a good thing to do. Thanks. xxx

[trish1957]

Hi I took a friend with me and didn't inform them and she was allowed in. I had two of them in my interview one asking questions and the other sitting behind me observing and they didn't ask my permission. Don't forget to request a copy of the notes made at the interview.

Good luck

Trish

[blueboy1 in reply to trish1957]

Oh ok do they give you them on the day. thank you.

[BoneyC]

Hi Blueboy,

Is your appointment with Atos or Capita? My Atos invitation, on page 2, has a paragraph "who should come with you? ..... you are encouraged to bring a companion (e.g. relative, carer or friend) to the consultation if you would find this helpful. I believe you may have to give notice if you wish to record the interview, otherwise they may refuse to conduct the interview, without any notice.

[popsmith1874]

I would definitely record it as there have been a lot off people on here who get a different report from the one that they'd taken

[AlexandriaUK]

Hi good idea to record if you feel you may be misunderstood or for whatever reason is applicable, but you do have to give prior notice of your decision to record, you also need to take a recording device that allows you to leave a copy with them as they don't record your interview.

I will send you a link to a site that will give you all the info if I can

[AlexandriaUK in reply to AlexandriaUK]

atoshealthcare.com/pip/faq_...

[blueboy1 in reply to AlexandriaUK]

Thank you for the help.

[fizbom]

I took my partner as he sees what I go through on a daily basis. She just asked who he was as I live on my own. Don't know what they would say about recording it!? Good luck xx

[Jacorandax]

How would the interview be recorded? I understood it had to be on a recorder that produced two identical cassette tapes of the interview - one for the interviewee and one for the interviewer. This is fairly obsolete technology and the DWP had not produced any guidelines for any newer technology.

I never had to advise anybody if I wanted someone to attend the interview with me. Hope it all goes well.

[nomoreheels]

No need to apologise, it's a concerning time & you're better asking than being caught out.

No, you don't need to advise them you're being accompanied. I took my h & nothing was said, if anything I would say it's expected you do have someone accompany you. Unfortunately you can't just record the assessment, if you're thinking of maybe recording it on your phone. The following is from the Atos website:

Can I record my consultation?

It is possible for you to audio record your consultation. There are certain requirements that DWP have set for the audio recording of consultations, which have been listed below:

You can request to audio record your consultation by calling our Customer Service Centre, but you will need to provide your own equipment.

Inform us beforehand that you wish to record your consultation, which can be done by calling our Customer Service Centre. Please let us know as soon as possible, as we may not be able to accept requests made on the day of your consultation.

Your recording equipment must be able to produce two identical copies of the recording at the end of the consultation, either in audio cassette or CD format. You will need to give one copy of the recording to the Health Professional undertaking your consultation, at the end of the consultation. Devices like PCs, laptops, tablets, smartphones or MP3 players are not acceptable recording devices.

You will need to sign an agreement that sets out what you are and are not allowed to do with the recording.

We will keep our copy of the recording securely for a maximum of 14 months. After that time, we will destroy it. We don’t normally pass the recordings onto DWP and they do not use it when deciding on your entitlement and award of PIP.

It is also useful to note that if you try to record the consultation without contacting us before hand and agreeing with the requirements set out above then your consultation may be stopped and we may have to pass your case back to DWP.

This is from the Capita website:

Audio recording

Should you wish, you may use your own equipment to record the face-to-face consultation. This must be undertaken in line with the following DWP rules:

You need to notify us before your appointment that you will like to record your assessment by calling our Enquiry Centre on 0808 1788 114.

You will need to provide your own audio-recording equipment. Your recording equipment must be able to produce two identical copies of the recording at the end of the assessment, either on audio cassette or CD. Mobile phones and laptops are not suitable mediums for recording assessments.

You will need to give one copy of the recording to the assessor, at the end of the appointment.

You will need to sign an agreement that sets out what you are and are not allowed to do with the recording.

We will retain a copy of the recording for a maximum of 14 months, at which point it will be destroyed. We do not pass on the recordings to the DWP and they are not used in determining your entitlement or award.

Should you attempt to record the assessment without having contact us first and agreeing to the above guidelines, then your assessment is likely to be stopped and we may return your case to the DWP.

As you can see they don't make it easy. You can request a copy of your assessment report from the DWP though, just give them time, I'd leave it a week or so before you call.

[blueboy1 in reply to nomoreheels]

Thank you for your help. x

[Frankie63]

Hi Blueboy..I hope you're as well as is possible? It sounds like you're getting a little nervous about PIP assessment??! You don't need to tell them that you're bringing someone..they will just ask the name of that person once you're in the room! I don't know about recording the meeting as I've never done it and they've never mentioned it!! You asked yesterday how long it would be for them to stop your money? Do you actually receive PIP at the moment? I thought that this was your assessment to see if you're eligible for it?? DWP is different..are you on the basic ESA ( Employment and Support Allowance)..£73.10 a week? I had an assessment last year with DWP on 31st July and they called me on a Saturday afternoon August 20th to tell me that they had stopped my money!! I didn't receive another penny from any source until December 22nd!!! I don't know how I would've survived without my mum and dad..considering I'm 54, it was so demeaning to have to borrow from pensioners in order to survive..disgusting!! Rant over..don't worry about PIP assessment..don't look comfortable whilst sitting as they will question it..have all your answers ready concerning bathing/showering, how long does it take? Do you need help doing it? The same thing applies to preparing food..also you will be asked to do some light movements to show how much you can cope with..how do you get to appointments..don't say you can drive yourself!!! I hope this helps a little bit...good luck with it..it's not the end of the world but it definitely feels like it...Frankie 63

[blueboy1 in reply to Frankie63]

Thank you so much, i have my ass on friday from DLA 2 PIP. To say i am nervous is one thing to say, i am frightened to death. Just in tears as my daughter has just sent me a good luck card, to say not to worry she will never see us struggle. This government really has not a clue what they are doing to us all. Thank you for your help. xx

[Frankie63 in reply to blueboy1]

Please don't worry..it's really not that bad!! You're so right..this government does not have a clue what people like us have to go through just to receive the pittance that they decide is fine to live on! It's so degrading when you've worked all your life and you're begging for the meagre amounts provided by DWP! Anyway, you will be wondering after the assessment, what on earth you were worried about!! Don't forget to be obviously uncomfortable when you're sitting down..you can't drive any more and you need help doing the basic day to day things in life! Good luck Blueboy..I'll be thinking of you!! Frankie 63 x

[murto]

Hi,Blueboy, you do not have to inform them if you are taking someone with you.The rules are complicated on recording the assessment. You can only do it using a duel recording machine which would enable you to give the assessor a copy.Even so they might refuse to carry out the assessment. However you or your companion can take notes.Hope this helps.