Had three phone assessment and received report, any advice please

pole007

Hello, this is my first post so please forgive me if I have done it incorrectly and for how long it is. 

This is my first application for PIP done by phone, it was three hours long and I felt like I was doing something wrong it was uncomfortable and non of the questions align to the appliction form.  I felt all the assesor wanted from me was yes and no answers.  The assessor kept reminding my how long it was taking and repeatedly told me it is a good job she does not have another to do otherwise she would have to end it.  This made me feel worse.

After the assessment I phoned and told them how I felt uncomfortable through the assemssment process and updated them on my situation including additional meds which I have included below, they offered to send me the report when they get it and said to contact them with any discrepancies.

Today I recieved a copy of the report, my main health difficulties are daily living, and I have noticed that the ticks total 9 in this section and 4 in mobility.  I have read quite a few post but I am still unclear what this will mean for me.  Addtionally I recieved 0 for managing therapy or monitoring a health condition but noticed this section includes needs to use an aid or appliance to be able to manage medication.   

I have Letrozole a hormone therapy for breast cancer treatment, and do physio for my back and physio for my arm due to the removal of a sentinal lymph node which is common practice with breast cancer surgery.  I have been instructed to take vitamin D, Calcium and magnesium as I am at risk of osteoporosis due to the medication.   I also take, diazepam (sometimes more that the prescribed dose which I did inform them), omeprazol, lactose fluid for constipation which I just drink out the bottle and did tell them (I honestly feel I get the same does as pouring it in the top provided) and since then I have been given antidepressants.  I have a private prescripton for weight loss injections as I am considered obese.   I forget to take my medication most days/a lot so my husband not only checks I have taken them and reminds me, he got me a daily pill box and my daughter has put reminders on my phone.  This information was included in my application which also includes statements from them both, plus I mentioned it in my assessement. Ironically I forgot to take my medication on the day of my assessment as I was so anxious but did not realise until my husband got home. 

I noticed that the assessor has put in the report that I only had diazepam briefly during my diagnosis but I have had them repeatedly since May this year.  The assessor told me that diazepam does not mean I am depressed which may be the casee but I was given antidepressants after the assessment so this is not on my report, neither are all the side effects of the hormone therapy tablets which I told the assessor about.  I have discussed my depression and how it affects me with my GP and told the assessor this too.  

During the assessment she read out that I refused for them to contact my GP, I interrupted her and told her that I would like them to contact my GP.  When I told my GP about my assessment he was very sympathetic and commented that I am going through so much and just because I was not on antidepressants at the time it does not mean I am not depressed.  The assessor, has also noted in the report that I was clear and intelligible, of course I was I was alone so had copies of my application and all other documents sent with it in front of me so I did not forget anything, otherwise it would have been a lot worse.  Unfortunately I did not tell her this which I think may have been a mistake on my part.

I avoid public transport, socialising and eye contact with people as it makes me feel  uncomfortable, when forced to socialise my husband does most of the talking with others. I get ubers to work and my husband picks me up and I am fortunate to work in an office alone.  Because of the cancer I have been off work since May but now doing a phased returned working from home started in October.  I was due a second operation in November which has now been put off until who knows when.  My work occupational health doctor has requested I work from home until at least 6 weeks after my next operation due to my mental state as they know my home is my comfort blanket.

What is the likelyhood of the current report score of 9 being honoured?

Should I send them my occupational health report when I receive it?

Does anyone have any suggestions what I should do regarding the zero score for managing therapy or monitoring a health condition?  Is it worth questioning?

I have noticed the report states to review in 2 years does this mean if they do not award I cannot apply for another 2 years?

I noticed the assessor put consideration/writing up time 2 hours.  This is confusing as the assessment took three hours and she was writing it up as we went along.

What happens when you call them to give them additional information as I did?  I noticed there was no mention of my call after my assessment in the report so is there a case file and is it added to that?

Once again I apologise for the length of this post.  As all others I am anxious and have no idea how it all works. 

poppy123456

9 points for daily living suggests a standard award because you need at least 8 points for this. Mostly they go with the report, it's rare for them to go against it but it can happen.

You mention managing therapy and monitoring a health condition you said you didn't score any points here but are you sure about that? You said you scored 9 points. Needing to use an aid or needing to be reminded/prompted to take medication is 1 point. Unless you scored 3 points for washing and bathing, which is activity 4E. Those are the only 2 descriptors out of all the 10 daily living activities where the points are odd numbers.

You also mention physio, where does this take place? In your home or do you have to attend appointments outside your home for this?

When you filled out the form, this would have been the time to make sure you tell them all the relevant information. There's rarely enough of time to tell them everything during the assessment, which is probably why you felt it was rushed, though 3 hours is a long time but it does suggest your form lacked information.

If the report suggests a review in 2 years and you're awarded then the award is likely to be for 3 years. If there's no award then there's no timeframe you need to wait before reapplying. However, it's always better to challenge the decision rather than reapply.

The assessor putting 2 hours to write up the report means exactly that. When you heard typing during the phone call it was likely them taking notes, not actually writing the report up.

I wouldn't expect them to mention that you rang them again after the assessment to give them more information. I'm not sure why you think that should have been mentioned.

You can send them extra evidence at anytime but please remember that less is often more. Sending multiple pieces of evidence all saying the same thing, isn't helpful.

Timescales for decision once the report was returned is up to 12 weeks. Once you have the decision if you're not happy then you can request the Mandatory Reconsideration. (MR)

pole007

Thank you for responding so quickly. I apologise, I got confused with the report.  I scored 8 in daily living and 4 on mobility.

poppy123456

What about the physio question i asked. Do you attend appointments outside your home or is it done at your home?

pole007

Sorry, no I do physio at home