To anyone whose had a PIP assessment- what kind of questions do you get asked?

[rowantree]

I know some people have said they've got assessments coming up, or just had one etc, but I'd like to know what's asked? Thanks

[Buttache]

Hi Rowantree, go to the web site Benefits and Work, they have all the information you need. I wish I had found the site before my assessment, and don't expect a fast service from Capita and the DWP who run the PIP. It took a year for my result. I'm pretty sure they string it out in the hope we give up, after all it will have the desired result. Saving money for the Benefits system.

Good luck and get straight over to the web site. They are brill.

Buttache

[Tabbz in reply to Buttache]

Wonderful site well worth the annual fee to keep updated

[rowantree]

Thanks. I have looked at the site. I also found another which was very informative: gov.uk/government/uploads/s...

If successful isn't it backdated to when the claim went in?

[HerewegoLoobyLou in reply to rowantree]

I submitted my claim in August; had the assessment on 9th january and had the award decision letter by 31st jan and yes the claim was backdated to august.

[HerewegoLoobyLou]

hi rowantree

I had my PIP assessment in January. Was not on DLA before so this was my first time at claiming a benefit. The assessment lasts about an hour to an hour and a half and is structured into 3 parts. The first part is confirming your medication and any diagnosis you have had. The second part is all about how your condition affects you and how often it affects you. To make it count it must affect you for more than 50% of the time. The third part is a physical assessment. The 2nd part is very important as your answers help them to assess if you fit in with any of the descriptors and then they assess from there how much you are affected to see if you qualify. They normally start off by asking tell me about a typical day for you. Do you work? What do you do? How do you manage with toilet and bathing? What about getting dressed? Do you have breakfast- do you cook- can you prepare a simple meal- do you use any special utensils? Do you have any children you have to take care of? Have you had a holiday this year? Where did you go? How did you get there? Do you have any problems managing your medication? Planning journeys? Then they compare these answers with the information you gave on your form. The assessment starts from the minute you enter the centre. How you walk in; if you have a bag with you- do you place it on the floor and can you pick it up ok. what kind of clothing are you wearing (loose fitting, buttons, zips, etc) do your shoes have laces or are they slip ons? What are your pain levels like? What support do you have? do you pay for anything yourself like physio, buying special medication or things like incontinence pads. How do all your symptoms make you feel, etc? The mobility descriptor is very strict and the walking 20m or less is almost virtually impossible to get past as the distance from the waiting room to the assessment room will exceed this. Overall, I was very nervous but the assessor was very professional and supportive and didnt make me complete the physical as I was in too much pain so I had to some other stuff sitting down. Hope this helps- any more questions just ask I am happy to share x Good luck with the assessment. I was awarded daily living component standard rate for 3 years.

[rowantree]

Thanks. Not mobility then? Do you have any problems with mobility?

[HerewegoLoobyLou in reply to rowantree]

Yes I walk with a stick and suffer terribly with nerve pain down both legs and into my feet. I have degenerative neuropathic pain too and get cold patches on my legs and beating nerve pain which affects my sleep at night. I also have a damaged coccyx and some osteoarthritis in my lower legs....but despite all that I didn't get mobility. The decision letter said they acknowledged that I can walk more than 20 metres but less than 200 but I still don't qualify. Like you I have a desk job and work full time. I use public transport which is a killer. So mobility def a big issue for me but no mobility component awarded.

[rowantree in reply to HerewegoLoobyLou]

I thought you can still get mobility lower rate if you can walk less than 50 metres?!

[HerewegoLoobyLou in reply to rowantree]

Can stand and then move more than 50 metres

but no more than 200 metres, either aided or

unaided 4 points

c. Can stand and then move unaided more than 20

metres but no more than 50 metres. 8 points

Yes- you are right. They only awarded me 4 points thought stating I fitted into category b so i didn't get the lower rate. You would need to get 8 to 10 points for the lower rate. They are really strict about this. I didnt argue the point even though the assessor did say i can see you have real mobility issues. go figure? Maybe I should have asked for a mandatory reconsideration but i just didn't feel confident enough.

[rowantree in reply to HerewegoLoobyLou]

Sounds like maybe you should? How long ago was your assessment? Is there a time limit for reconsideration?

[Hidden in reply to rowantree]

It seems you have to virtually unable to walk

[stayslim4 in reply to rowantree]

No Mobility lower rate only awarded on DLA, don't know why the stupid government had to change DLA but that's the way it is I suppose.

[rowantree]

The PIP assessment is a difficult one isn't it. I don't if anyone else is like me but I spend all day every day playing down how difficult I find things, how much pain I'm in etc, so I'll have to constantly remind myself not to play it down! It took me a couple of weeks to fill in the form as I found it really upsetting to have to look closely at every aspect of my day, and how much I struggle through it all! Day after day.....

[HerewegoLoobyLou in reply to rowantree]

Ditto in every sense here. I use my job to help keep my brain busy from thinking about the pain but its a double edged sword that one. yes- i also found filling the form in upsetting as it hit me hard realising how much i put up with but play it down and just get on with it. it's tough tho.

[stayslim4 in reply to rowantree]

I have FASD which is a long term disability in itself. I am so scared to be going to the PIP assessment what if they are very judgement yes I can walk but I suffer more on the Daily Living than the mobility.

[rowantree]

Herewegoloobylou (good name!) do you have a specific condition? Or a few different ones? Just curious- nothing to do with the PIP of course, as we know! I have Ehlers Danlos / hypermobility syndrome and it affects my feet, and hands the most, but also my knees and shoulders, as well as giving me IBS too.

[HerewegoLoobyLou]

I have fibromyalgia, coccydinia, degenerative neuropathic pain due to disk problems, carpel tunnel in both hands, a sleep disorder, some osteoarthritis and am still under investigation with a neurologist because of my mobility nerve issues, balance problems, twitching and jerking, etc I also have IBS and at times very bad constipation which affects the coccydinia & lumber nerves/disks alot- can be very painful to sit stand walk.

[ladycaz in reply to HerewegoLoobyLou]

HerewegoLoobyLou You are the first person I have heard of that finds sitting painful. I too find sitting for any length of time very painful and my lower back and bum go numb. I have to constantly move about. The only comfort I get [but not for long periods of time] is lying in bed on my side.

[Hidden in reply to ladycaz]

Sitting is when I am in most pain.I have coccyx pain and carry a cut out wedge cushion around. I cant go on holiday because I cant sit to travel, My husband has been wanting to go on a rhine cruise for a long time so I have insistef he goes without me.He id going with his sister I will stay at home.I couldnt travel to London to even join the eurostar never mind go on it! This counts for nothing as far as PIP woulf br concernef so there id no point in me even applying

[rowantree]

Wow that last one is rubbish (as are the others!) but painful to sit, stand or walk is bad! I'm in a lot less pain if I sit! So long as I can fidget and not use my hands too much!

[HerewegoLoobyLou in reply to rowantree]

when you put it like that then yes I guess it makes me realise how much I do have to deal with but like you just get on with it- it is exhausting though and I take alot of prescribed painkillers. I think because of the pain issues I get so tired...like eyes closing at my desk tired! Luckily I have my own office with a recliner in it so can use this to get some relief during the day. But I genuinely have pain 24/7 it's just that some days are more bearable than others and flare ups fluctuate. My assessment was on January 9th but I think i am out of the time limit now for the reconsideration period. I also underplayed my condition alot but the assessor can see right through any porkies being told. she told me that you'd be suprised the number of times she has been told 4 year old children are cooking 3 course meals!! Are you due your assessment soon - will be really keen to find out how you get on. good luck!!

[Bananas5]

Benefits and Work is an excellent site. Is must also be remembered that now included as RRS - Reliably, repeatedly and Safely + in a Timely manner.

There is no a huge backlog die to the time originally allowed for the assessment and writing report. Time allowed was 1 hour which soon became apparent 1 hours was needed. As it stands at the moment it is taking 8 months. Back dated if successful.

Also noted the assessment is far worse than any ESA and the whole aim of PIP is to cut the bill by 20%. Remember this new PIP is only applied to 16 - 65 year olds - we are facing huge burdens.

Pat x

[Fedupwithmybackpain in reply to Bananas5]

Hi pat had a pip.assessment but requested for home assessment due to,excruciating pain and severely limited mobility, and ineffective medicine to help. They asked me to get my GP to write in and next thing they said they have all the info they need and that I need not attend the assessment and they will send it to PIP Atos that is,will take two weeks before the PIP team get it.I am not sure if that is good news?

[Hidden in reply to Fedupwithmybackpain]

I would say it is both good and bad news! Good in so much asot appears you will get the payment. Bad as it means your condition is bad enough to warrant it.Hope you get some relief soon your story one that breaks my heart

[rowantree]

Great. So glad they believed your GP! It's ridiculous isn't it, that they ask you to fill in a HUGE form, and give info from health professionals and contact details for them all too, and still want a face to face interview. I sent in reports and letters from surgeon to GP, and pain clinic. They could just believe al those health professionals, and save money by not having face to face, unless there's some reason why you have hardly any health professionals involved in your care- then I can see why they might need to gather more evidence to inform their decision.

[diannedyas23]

Hi if you are genuine I am not doubting you, then You will no the answers are right you give without cheating this is a new benfit to replace old one to cut out the cheats , good look I am sure you will be fine jst tell them how it is

[Fedupwithmybackpain]

Thanks all, I for one hope any one faking pain or mobility problems will be caught.The sleeplessness and constant pain and how the pain has changed me as a person,I would rather not have and get on with my life.

[poppyb62]

Now I'm getting even more anxious as I have been given an appt this week for a PIP assessment but I have been given a home assessment appt without requesting one . Should I take this as a good sign or a bad one?

[lorna87 in reply to poppyb62]

Hi Poppy,

I was given a home assessment without asking and it came quite quickly after I sent initial form. Ive been off work since Feb. Sitting, standing are so hard. I have sciatica on my left side, fractured spine, 2 crushed vertebra. I'm so stressed with the hole thing. How did you get on with them?

[jayjay45]

I Already get enhanced rate for mobility and carers. I was called for a new assessment yesterday. I found it strange that i wasn't asked the mobility questions. this is the important one to get enhanced rate. I'm confused