PiP

Betty3010

I have a video assessment on Thursday , has anybody else had one . So nervous and worried.

Jimm_Scope

Hi @Betty3010, I understand how nerve wracking an assessment can be. I've only ever had an in-person assessment and I was so, so anxious about it! I hope someone who has had experience of a video assessment can give their thoughts.

In the mean-time we have a page on preparing for assessments generally here Preparing for PIP assessment | Disability charity Scope UK

Citizen's Advice also have an advice page if you'd like to read more Preparing for your PIP assessment - Citizens Advice

chiarieds

Just to add a little to the advice given above:

 - Ideally you should have given 1 or 2 recent, detailed examples of the difficulty you face doing/attempting each applicable PIP activity/descriptor, i.e. when exactly did this occur, where, what happened, why did you have difficulty, did anyone else see this, & were there any consequences to this, e.g. pain or fatigue?
 - have a look again 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 activity/descriptor in your initial claim/review form. Try to include these in your assessment if asked about any

- remember PIP is about how you are the majority of the time

This is also worth looking through where you can read more about 'reliability,' 'fluctuating conditions,' etc.: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

Good luck!

LWG

Hi @Betty3010, I had a video assessment last Monday for PIP. I was incredibly anxious beforehand, not knowing what would happen. I feared being asked to perform movements, but thankfully that didn't happen. The Assessor told me at the beginning of the call that the video may fail and, if so, he would then call me on my mobile to continue the assessment. The video did in fact fail after 13 minutes, and then the assessment was continued over the phone. Honestly the video part was just the same as the phone, except we could see each other. 

In terms of outcome, I honestly have no idea how the assessment went. It was shorter than I thought it would be (40 mins total) and I expected to be asked to describe a typical day but I wasn't. I feel like I didn't say as much as I would have liked. He asked a lot closed questions, and at times I forgot to expand on my yes/no responses which will no doubt have hindered my chances.

I'm trying not to dwell on it too much, what will be will be. It is my first time applying for PIP. I never thought I would be in this position at 41 but here we are. Now it's just a waiting game for the decision! 

I wish you the best of luck with your assessment.

Betty3010

Hi LWG 
Hope everything goes well and you get what you need .