PIP telephone assessment

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pinemartine

Hi, everyone.
Yesterday morning, my mobile showed unfamiliar mobile number. I picked up anyway and it was from DWP.
She said she wanted ask a couple of questions about my PIP application. I hadn’t received any advance notice or warning about assessment, so I thought she wanted me to ask permission to access to my GP or something.
I asked if it was an assessment and she told me she wanted ask questions for me to avoid assessment. 

She started asking a lot of questions which were actually telephone assessment. I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks so I wanted my friend to support me for the assessment but obviously I couldn’t arrange that without any warning.
 I also suffer from insomnia. I only had a few hours sleep and my brain was not working properly. I was overwhelmed and nervous. I don’t think I told her everything I wanted to say.
Can they call you for the telephone assessment without advance notice?
I know if the decision is wrong, I can appeal but it’s another heavily stressful situation.
is there anyone who had same experience? What did you do about it?

bg844

Yes, they can call without prior notice. You have had something called a 'paper based assessment' which basically means that there was enough detail on your form along with any evidence to assess you without actually seeing you, I know you did receive a phone call but this is common when there are a few things that need clarifying for the Healthcare Professional to write a report. Paper based assessments are generally seen as a good thing.

Once DWP receive your report back, you should expect a decision within 2-12 weeks.