A rant and question

VillageRepeat

I made the call! It was very hard but after listening back to the call, it seemed like the person did sort of care, although i can see exactly how human error means in assessments and the like lead to an inaccurate picture of what you actually said.

I prepared notes to read off of because i specifically have trouble remembering and thinking clearly (brainfog as some of you might know it as) Which talked about both my physical and psychological reasoning for not being able to attend a physical, face-to-face assessment. They wrote down the request for the change being "mental health issues". This doesn't bother me but in doing so they cut out the other half of the reason entirely, which is actually just as limiting as the other.

The helpline people for these assessment services aren't the most compassionate or delicate, but they certainly aren't your enemy. I got no interrogative pushback as i've been conditioned in my life experiences, to expect.

It was also interesting to learn that the IAS tried to give me a paper based assessment but the person on the phone told me they couldn't because of my physical issues, which is a bit confusing since its detailed just as much as my mental health struggles on the PIP2 form, and just as impactful.

nasturtium

Great to hear you made the call. I knew you could do it

You did not mention if they changed your assessment from face to face to a telephone assessment? Have they done this for you?

Nasturtium

VillageRepeat

nasturtium said:

Great to hear you made the call. I knew you could do it

You did not mention if they changed your assessment from face to face to a telephone assessment? Have they done this for you?

Nasturtium

Thank you for your faith Yes they did! Infact, i was told that you only get to make a change once but they just told the assessment person that i was going to do a telephone appointment instead of a face-to-face and apparently this way it doesn't count as a change because the appointment wasn't changed.

nasturtium

VillageRepeat said:

Thank you for your faith Yes they did! Infact, i was told that you only get to make a change once but they just told the assessment person that i was going to do a telephone appointment instead of a face-to-face and apparently this way it doesn't count as a change because the appointment wasn't changed.

Excellent news   I am pleased to hear you have had a good result (although it is not ideal for you but better than a face to face)

Nasturtium

nasturtium

mandiw67 said:
Dont get upset about how much time and effort you had to put into the form, at the end of the day, they dont care! They are going off a tick sheet devised by a computer that has no feelings. Dont take it personally just plod on and go through the process, making sure you steer it in the direction you can manage not what they tell you you have to do. 
Good luck   

I very strongly disagree with this statement and it is very poor advice. The more personal verbal written evidence you include on your PIP2 form questionnaire form about the impact your conditions have on you completing the 12 PIP activities reliably (safely, repeatedly, in a timely manor and to an acceptable standard)  and detailed personal written evidence on what help you require (but do not get) for the 12 PIP activities according to the applicanble descriptors for that activity the more chance you have of having a paper based assessment and not requiring to have an assesment. Also if your claim need to go to tribunal the tribunal look at your PIP2 Questionnare and base there judgement on the detail you include in your PIP2 form as well as a Mandatory Reconsideration letter.

Nasturtium

Hannah_Alumni

Woohoo! @VillageRepeat Knew you could make the call! I hope it isn't too long a wait to get through the rest of the process! Remember we are here

VillageRepeat

Hey people,

So i just had my telephone assessment.. I'm not happy about it

I don't actually remember what i've said to know what i've missed but to be frank with you this process has been grueling. The assessor was expectedly unsympathetic and constantly extrapolating yet being so keen to move on as to not take in the additional information. It didn't help that i am so much at my witts end and have been stressed so much lately that i've completely numbed out and in doing so completely suppressed my anxiety (as this has given me severe depression) and the basic questions i was able to answer and my lack of anxiety she took it as me being able to communicate with everyone and understand clearly. I want to confess to you all that i'm so low that this was like a confession-type unique event. I can't normally speak to and with people how i could speak to the assessor, which really doesn't help my situation, i know, but its what happend.

They were so quick to take charge of the call that i couldn't even read an opening statement i like to make which helps the assessor understand me better. The call was just a waste of time and whilst i think they will recommend points for various things, it nags me that they said "You're talking to me fine and understanding me so no problems there". I can't tell you how demotivating it is to again reach out for financial help from a system that is designed to help people like me only to constantly get shot down. I would love for these assessors to know that this isn't a preferential lifestyle but they seem to operate on the basis that everyone is lying.

I suppose i ought to prepare a mandatory reconsideration letter because i'll probably be needing it. I don't blame them for reporting what they know but i know i told them multiple times that i can't usually speak to people this well. I'm stressed and annoyed. Like somehow i should be disappointed that instead of PIP making me severely depressed, it didn't make me severely anxious as i will regress into shortly after the call. The one time i can communicate clearly is in a setting where it can be used against me, you can't make it up

I have hope that i will get above 0 points, but i'll have to see. Just 2 days ago i was trembling trying to read something out to a IAS helpdesk agent on the phone, but just because today severe depression was on the menu, i could communicate fine. (And i am also in the comfort of my own home) What luck!

apple85

Deleted

Lottie1732

I feel for you and I did feel very much like you. My call was bizarre. There was no compassion. It was perfunctory and without any kindness. I also felt that the questions were leading ones so that you became edged into a corner where there was only a yes or no response required and possible. No room for a "yes, but" anywhere. My assessor simply didn't care. I've been around long enough to know when someone is sincere and genuinely cares about people and about the quality of the work they do.  The "qualified medical professional" assessor "wrote" her report during the call by selecting premade paragraphs to go into the report.  The grammatical and spelling errors made their way to my final decision letter so it was clear to me that the assessor nor the decision maker read any of it. 

My assessor said she thought I was extremely competent and confident throughout. In reality, she did hear me stop for a minute to try and control my breathing several times. "It's OK, I'll wait. Take your time".  The other thing I did (which I do when I'm nervous) is talk nonsense, very fast, with inappropriate laughter. Probably came across as confident when actually it's the opposite.

I know it's really difficult but try not to be disheartened. You did the best you could on the day and the initial claim and assessment is only the start of the whole process for most. 

Here for you. I know this has significant impact on our lives and is critical and the system doesn't see it that way. 

Lottie x

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