Advice and Guidance - PIP Assessment

moondreamgal

I have a review with a PIP assessor face to face next week for a PIP review claim, I've read a little online about what to expect, will they ask me to do anything physically? Like tasks or walking? Is there anywhere to read what they are looking for in terms of deciding points? I want to be as prepared as possible. 

rebel11

Hi Moondreamgirl

Welcome to Scope online, loads of information on site.

There is no way of knowing what they will ask you to do physically. 

But you have the answers on your PIP form, if you've said for example, 'you walk slowly', then I speculate, they will ask you to walk, see how much you struggle. It's testing the examples you've given on the form. There may be a need to expand on what you've written on the form.    

poppy123456

A review is exactly the same as it was the first time you claimed. They don't always ask you to do anything physical. Of course they will be watching you walk to the room where the assessment will take place because they usually come out of the room to call your name.

For the points, these are called descriptors and this is what they look at when assessing your claim. You can see them here. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Migrated_Documents/adviceguide/pip-9-table-of-activities-descriptors-and-points.pdf

You can read a lot more details here. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

moondreamgal

Thank you @rebel11and @poppy123456 - it's been a long time since the first claim so I don't remember much of the assessment and have been getting a little nervous, will have a look at the links and make sure I make a few notes from my form too, thank you again. 

poppy123456

tomm said:

On a Home Assessment  all they did was ask me to straighten and bend my lower legs ,And base their opinions on a  snapshot, ,

Home assessments no longer exist. Telephone assessments replaced them.

Presario05

tomm said:

I have  from my own experience found if you are claiming to have difficulty walking,  just by going to some of these  venues you can be scoring an own goal , as some of the buildings can be a long way from the nearest bus stop  ECT  should  you be using public transport ,

 As they will typically  ask How you got to the venue, and maybe how long it took you , they also will watch you walk  in and out of the  interview room as said, and fort personal experience watch you walk outside after the  the assessment has finished On a Home Assessment  all they did was ask me to straighten and bend my lower legs ,And base their opinions on a  snapshot, ,

Followed by the copy and paste  DM's decision reasoning the pain meds were not potent enough for the pain he describes  or implied as much,  I won eventually at appeal                                                                                                      

Yes, my first face 2 face I had to walk a hell of a way from where I was dropped off.  I was on my crutches, and I literally tool 3 steps and then had to stop fir a breather and my husband to lean on.  After my assessment, my assessed said,I know you struggled to get in here today, so do you want to use this back door.  So proved they watch you going in.

moondreamgal

Thank you for your support and information everyone, I had my assessment this morning so will wait and see what the outcome is. 

rebel11

moondreamgal said:

Thank you for your support and information everyone, I had my assessment this morning so will wait and see what the outcome is. 

Remember if the decision isn't favourable, you can do a MR, do it in writing (ask for more help here) and then if that decision isn't favourable, you can Appeal (again ask for more help here). 

If you start thinking about the PIP / decision, distract yourself, listen to music, watch TV, bake etc. 

I was going to suggest book a dentist's appointment, but that's taking 'distraction' too far.
  

moondreamgal

rebel11 said:

moondreamgal said:

Thank you for your support and information everyone, I had my assessment this morning so will wait and see what the outcome is. 

Remember if the decision isn't favourable, you can do a MR, do it in writing (ask for more help here) and then if that decision isn't favourable, you can Appeal (again ask for more help here). 

If you start thinking about the PIP / decision, distract yourself, listen to music, watch TV, bake etc. 

I was going to suggest book a dentist's appointment, but that's taking 'distraction' too far.
  

Thank you! Yeah, I'm going to make sure I'm prepared with as much information as possible just in case and try not to worry about it - they've got my report now, it's just the waiting that makes me overthink! 

L_Volunteer

How are you feeling about everything this weekend @moondreamgal? Please let us know how it goes and if there's anything we can do to support you 

moondreamgal

L_Volunteer said:

How are you feeling about everything this weekend @moondreamgal? Please let us know how it goes and if there's anything we can do to support you 

Hey, I'm feeling quite nervous to be honest! I thought about requesting my report but think it'll be better to just wait and see, it's just a concern financially if it doesn't get renewed, the whole process is stressful, but trying to focus on other things and just wait it out. Hope you had a good weekend!

Alex_Alumni

That's usually the best plan @moondreamgal, I hope you hear before long, and best of luck for a positive outcome  

durhamjaide2001

My tips are 
Make use of any equipment you use even though you might not need it at assessment day. 

Make sure you ask at the desk how to get mileage back.
Tell them all about you at the worst as more disabiled you are the more money you will get unfortunately that's how the benefits system works I'm afraid but always remember to be honest.
After the assessment takes place just forget about what's happened in the assessment as nothing can be changed unfortunately we can't go to the past unless we have a time machine like the one in Doctor Who.

poppy123456

durhamjaide2001 said:

Tell them all about you at the worst as more disabiled you are the more money you will get unfortunately that's how the benefits system works I'm afraid but always remember to be honest.

That's the worst advice you can give, sorry. You advise them to be honest but also advise them to tell them when they are at their worst. Being disabled doesn't automatically entitle anyone to any benefits.

This is not how you should answer any questions because it can be seen as benefit fraud. You should tell them about all of your conditions and how they affect you the majority of the time.

JBS2022

Reporting how you are at your worst, is simply put fraud, if you are in excruciating pain once a week and mild pain 4 times a week, but focus on the excruciating pain like it's a common occurance, you are lying, simple as that. Unfortunately this misinformation is spreading around Facebook, advising people to focus on how they are at their worst, guaranteeing people successful PIP awards( based on fraud) I've also seen it on other forums. I know PIP is a stressful benefit to claim but exaggerating is not the way to go..and could cause issues in the future.

Community_Scope

Note from online community team:

Hello everyone,

Please remember that all discussions on Scope’s online community should remain civil, supportive, and safe. Although we know members of the community mean well, please be mindful of what is posted.

chiarieds

Personally I think it is indeed very mindful to post saying that to describe how you are at your worst with a PIP claim is not the correct advice. Other members later read these posts, & should know that you should rather describe how you are on the majority of days.

moondreamgal

I am still waiting for a decision letter but the payment due tomorrow isn't showing as pending in my bank account like it usually does so worrying now, today's the only day of the week I work as well (just an office job) so I can't make the call to ask today, not sure what I'm going to do money wise to be honest.

poppy123456

Purrrrrrr said:

poppy123456 said:

tomm said:

On a Home Assessment  all they did was ask me to straighten and bend my lower legs ,And base their opinions on a  snapshot, ,

Home assessments no longer exist. Telephone assessments replaced them.

Is this still the case?    Only I cannot go to them and cannot use the phone.   They know this and my last assessment was during covid and they came to me still. 

Yes, they scrapped home assessments. Are you sure that your last assessment was during Covid? Home assessments haven't taken place since before Covid.

moondreamgal

I definetely tried to give them an overall picture in my assessment and sent a diary in. Just concerned about the money not showing as pending which probably means I don't have it.

MadCow1

I personally have never had a home assessment,but I know that my neighbour definitely had a home assessment for PIP last summer
 (2022),but I am not completely sure of her circumstances as to why they would do a home assessment.