hi, I have my PIP telephone assessment next Monday , I applied in 2018/2019 and was refused , so as my condition has deteriorated, I am applying again.
Last time I had to go to a office with a person , so I am very happy with the telephone 📞
any help you have with telephone assessment will be grateful received 😌
Write everything down that relates to your application, get your copy out beforehand and refresh your memory, keep points direct and concise. On the day get a cup of tea, make yourself comfortable and ask them to repeat anything you don’t understand. Don’t forget saying the same thing five times is not the same as five things once. Stay calm and take it slowly because if you get wound up it can be hard to say things clearly and if you do feel a bit upset tell them. Because a question can be put another way or made a bit easier to answer. Remember they have no personal interest in you, the questions asked are not to trap you, nor to upset you but to determine if you have completed the form with all the information needed to do an assessment. I wish you well.
Thank you so much
Thank you
Ignore all information not qualified there is no memory test. What someone thinks they should get, is not the same as meeting the level needed to qualify. Please whatever you do don’t be frightened by such posts and don’t pay heed to it. I’ve yet again report it’s clearly a banned member using different alias. There is some misleading advice above you are required to answer but obviously could decline but then it might mean an application is declined as insufficient information to process. A very dangerous thing to do ? If the advice above was correct one would imagine they’d have qualified.
Oh ok, I dont think I would have been so brave to decline answering a question 😂😂, so thank you for the heads up 👍
Get comfy with a drink as the call could last a while. Re-read your copy to familiarise yourself with the questions you will be asked about. I found I was asked some similar questions in a different way, not to catch you out but to get more information or to clarify something you’ve said. Be honest and tell it how it is, take your time and ask questions if you’re unsure what they’re asking. You do hear some stories about false recording of what was said so make sure you ring and ask for a copy of the assessors report so you can check it. Good luck and fingers crossed for you.
Thank you, it did say that you can ask it to be recorded , so that might be good and then ask for a copy of the report
Hi Jillanne,
If you have a copy of your assessment form, keep it handy to refer to. When asked questions, make sure you explain thoroughly how your condition affects your day to day life exactly! Don't hold back emotionally (have tissues handy). They want to know the real nuts and bolts if how debilitating your condition affects you. I had a visit first, as I can't drive distances, it was very personal and the Nurse prescriber I had was very harsh at first but loosened up by the end and I did think I'd be transferred over to pip, so was really happy to be told I'd been successful as the money has allowed me to buy really helpful gadgets to use. I've had 2 telephone interviews since then which have been way better. These people were health professionals but need an honest, exact explanation to picture how you cope day to day. Quite a few questions weren't on the form, but this is how they explore your health condition better. Explain your pain exactly, in detail, such as can you wash your hair or shower alone, toileting needs, walking distance, how do you get shopping, do you use your phone or a pill box for reminding when to take medication. Do you get brain fog/swelling of hands/depression/if you work how do you manage/ do you use any any aids like a walking stick, jar opener, can you carry items, trouble dropping things, falls etc. Tell them about your worst days and how frequently those are. Talk to them as though as though it's your GP or consultant, be open about everything ie. Hair loss, holding a pen, exhaustion, how you can't sleep etc, can you manage buttons, put a bra on, maybe your have other symptoms that may or may not be related but make things worse for you like no taste, dry eyes. Be yourself and take a moment to think about how you can help then to empathise with what you go through each day. Start keeping a note book to write down other things you haven't thought of and tell them. Too much info is never enough!
Most of all Good Luck🍀X
Wow, thank you , so helpful
I do have Sjögren, never thought to mention that , especially trying to sleep with it
Strangely enough shogrens or CREST is what they're investigating me for, RA runs in one side of biological family but doesn't show up on blood test, but have all the symptoms🤔plus read accident injuries & falls. It does seem like pip strip you down to bone but they have to know everything to score you. So if a fall affected you then put it down. Not so smart phone does change some words after posting too! So hope you understand its important to be honest, and brutal with the truth of how it affects you. Plus I used my tissues!🥹
hi jillyann I’m ex welfare rights of 30:years. Answer each question as if it’s your worst day. Technically you have to have more bad days than good. If I was claiming for myself today . I would say every day is a bad day but some days are worse which is true. I have sjogren disease and it impacts my life every day. Severe dry mouth means I cannot talk without sipping liquid , people can’t understand me very frustrated. The impact means I don’t socialise any more . Eating a meal is difficult because I choke constantly drinking which takes away any taste. Nighttime is bad because you can’t get off to sleep because breathing causes moth to dry up causing you to cough because throat is dry need constant liquid during night. This then makes me need toilet five times a night so very disturbing sleep. That is how I would answer this question on sjogren. How it impacts on your daily life. Best of luck. You can also go to tribunal if refused and a good tribunal worker can get decision turned over. I was very successful and there are plenty of young bright things out there. CAB etc.
Thank you , really helpful
I forgot to put on my form that i have sjogrens , so can i ask them to add it 🤷♀️and then them how it effects my life
yes tell them you have written proof and are will ing to send it to them. Don’t mention any products that may help let them ask the question. I personally have not found any product that is helpful. Try to get app at local dental hospital for ultrasound on glands. As it found my salivary glands are blocked.
Good Luck for your PIP telephone assessment , Its hard to get the point over so write down everything you cant do or is limited and if you suffer from emotional upset or conditions like anxiety. It is about the effect your illness has on everyday ability not just I can make a cup of tea or chat about things . If you have changed how you do things try to explain this. Emphasise the negatives not the things you can manage to do. This is one many miss out , how do you wash & iron clothes to keep you hygenically fresh. Can you change a bed or do you have help? Best wishes I have my fingers crossed for you.
Thank you 🤞🤞🤞
Benefits and work site has lots of information about the legalities -small fee to be a member. I would definitely recommend it. Good luck -lots of good advice already posted. Xx
I would add to all this good advice have your phone fully charged and when they ring have it on speaker I did as I can't hold phone for long make sure they know that, I've got Ra and I'm on Meds for it however there are lots of times I have to have a break like in Nov with flu and pneumonia I'm only just going back on them now so this last month has been agony with flare ups so I emphasised this point that our meds make us prone to infection! also I described pain as like someone getting my foot and ankle and bending it backwards so they understood, how in the night I have to ease myself to the loo it really is about how your disease effects your day to day life, and I would add these diseases and conditions are not just bits of things that can be brushed off. Good luck you'll be finex
Thank you , yes i know it’s difficult to describe the pain, i tell people it’s like pins and needles but burning 🔥 aswell
i would just like to thank you all for helping me and putting my mind at ease ,
😘🥰😘🥰
All of you have given me really good advice
Some great advice. I would add that when describing things like pain say how it effects you and stops you doing things or takes you much longer. For example, in the morning when I get dressed I have a wash first but then have to sit on the bed for half an hour to let the pain settle and then start getting dressed which them takes me half an hour. I can't get dressed first thing as my joints are too stiff and painful, I need to take my medication first and wait until they take effect.
It would be easy to give the wrong impression if they say 'Can you get dressed?' and you say 'Yes'. Say No, I can't and then explain what happens. You can't get dressed in the same way as someone without a disability would.
Good advice, thank you
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