Tips on PIP assessment? And advice on light weight walking stick?

4380

Hello everyone, I am going through cancer treatment at the moment but recently been diagnosed with oa in knees and hands. I've sent off a pip claim and have a telephone assessment next week. I was looking for advice on what's involved and any helpful tips etc. 
Thanks in advance 

chiarieds

Hi @4380 - & first, welcome to the community. About your PIP assessment:

 - If you have kept a copy of your initial claim form, have a read through it.
 - Ideally you should have given 1 or 2 recent, detailed examples of the difficulty you face doing/attempting each applicable activity/descriptor that is looked at with PIP, i.e. when exactly did this occur, where, what exactly happened, why did you have difficulty, did anyone else see this, & were there any consequences to this, if applicable?
 - have a look at the PIP descriptors in this link, reading the notes at the end. The word 'reliably,' which is so important, isn't mentioned as such, but it's if you can't do an activity safely, to an acceptable standard, if you can't repeat it as often as would normally be expected, or if it takes you longer than a person without your disability. If you can't do an activity 'reliably,' say so, explaining why. Please see: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asset-library/personal-independence-payment-descriptors-and-scores-april-2023.pdf
 - see if there were any gaps where you didn't give those important detailed examples for each applicable PIP activities/descriptors in your initial claim form. Try to include these in your assessment if asked about any
 - you may be asked questions which you feel don't directly address the PIP descriptors, but they will, sometimes looking across a few, e.g. do you drive, do you have a pet?
- if you're unsure about any question, just ask for it to be repeated. Take your time in answering, & don't just answer yes or no.
- make sure your phone is fully charged, & if you'd like someone there to support you, put your phone on speaker phone so they can listen in. Good luck.

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @4380

Just wanted to welcome you to the community! I hope you are having a good day today? 

4380

Hello all thanks for the advice.  I've had my first msk appointment and he injected both knees. Wasn't as bad as I thought and I'm quite surprised that it was offered. 
I'm after a decent lightweight walking stick if anyone has any tips. I realised after I'd left I should have asked at my appointment...duh