1st time applying

missypinks

Hi I've been looking g through this page for weeks but been too scared to join but as the days go on I've been getting more confused, I applied for pip in September then on the 21st got a message saying thanks for sending in forms, then last week got a phone call from a withheld number and I can't remember who she said she was but she asked me if I would be ok with having a telephone assessment and I said yes but might need someone with me because I had help with forms from welfare rights, she didn't give me a date so I thought I would get a message but havnt recieved anything yet , do you know if I will get an appointment through post or in a message. 

poppy123456

Did they ask any questions about your health condition during that phone call? Though it's rare sometimes they will ring without warning to ask some questions to see if they can get enough of information to write the assessment report without needing a full assessment.

If no questions were asked and a full assessment is needed then they will send you an appointment letter. They will then send you reminders about that appointment by text message, if you gave a mobile number.

Most are by telephone, some are video and face to face at an assessment centre. If you can't do face to face then you can ask for a telephone appointment.

missypinks

Thankyou for replying poppy, no she didn't ask any questions just asked if I would be ok to do a telephone assessment,  I was confused because most posts I read don't say anything about them phoning to ask if you would want a telephone assessment they just send messages, she didn't ask for my number but guessing they would have it , she didn't say when or how I would receive an appointment either

poppy123456

As they rang you then they will already have your phone number. I've known them ring to offer short notice appointments, if they've had a cancellation. Seems like they were checking which assessment you preferred, which isn't such a bad thing. Sometimes they just send appointments and then people panic because they wanted telephone but were sent a face to face appointment and don't realise they can ring to change it. 

Hopefully you won't be waiting too long for an appointment.

missypinks

Thankyou x

missypinks

Hi poppy, my assessment appointment just came through and I feel really sick , I don't know wether to have the man from welfare rights who helped with my form on call with me or not, just incase I get confused with questions or freeze up, you dont think it will affect it in any way , has anyone else on here had someone on call with them ?

missypinks

Thankyou, all the comments I'm reading about them not being very understanding and lying has really worried me I wished I'd of never looked at anything 

Rosie_Scope

Hello @missypinks, welcome to the community sorry to read about your struggles. It's a hard process sometimes, but there is lots of support available here if you ever need it.

One thing some people find helpful if you're able is keeping some notes nearby to refer back to should you find you're struggling with a question. Every case is different, so try not to read too many horror stories if you can.

Is there anyone else who could be there with you if Welfare Rights aren't able to? Do you have any friends or family that could sit with you for support?

poppy123456

I've never known anyone from Welfare Rights attending an assessment with a claimant, even when it's a phone call.

Please try not to worry too much about what you've read. It's only natural that you mostly only read the bad stories because if someone's had a decision they are happy with they have no questions to ask so we don't hear their story.

The assessment can last anywhere from 20 to 120 minutes sometimes long. Try not to answer any questions with just a yes or no and try to give as much detail as possible.

Once the report is written and returned a decison can take up to 12 weeks.

missypinks

Thankyou everyone I only thought of welfare rights because tje man that filles in my form asked me to ring him if I needed anything else so didn't know if that's what he meant, I would have my mom with me but I feel quite embarrassed about some things I'll need to talk about