PIP phone assessment on 17th Jan '24 - any advice?

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Jenwren

So I've got my first ever PIP assessment on 17th - about a week away. I'm worried. Scared. I'm trying not to get too stressed - telling myself the worst they can do is say no.

Problem is I won't have anyone for moral support during the phone call and I'm worried they'll just think I'm fine and that I'm come across as not disabled 'enough' as I tend to over-prepare to attempt to keep anxiety at bey (it doesn't always work). I'm also worried because I'll have no broadband or landline when they ring - am switching providers and if my mobile signal goes, I'm sunk.

I've also heard some horror stories and all the weird and embarrassing questions they ask like about pets, how many steps it takes me to do x or y, about money etc. I just get panicked and loose my train of thought.

Can anyone give any advice for me? I know they can't predict the questions they ask and I know I have to have a copy of my application with my answers - but it sounds like they ask a lot of questions not covered on the form. I've also just recently been diagnosed with diabetes which I didn't put on the form because I only found out a couple of weeks ago. Will I get into trouble for that? Also I'm worried about them asking about my living situation (which I'm sure they will) as it's complicated by my step-dad's dementia -I'm not his carer (he has carers four times a day) but if there's a problem when carers aren't here, I'm forced to sort it because we unfortunately live together (not by my choice). I don't want them to think I'm his carer (and therefore can't be disabled).

Sorry I'm rambling. I'm just wondering if anyone has advice? My Internet's being cut off on 13th until 19th (when new broadband is installed) so I wanted to try to get some thoughts before then.

So, any advice or tips would be really appreciated!

chiarieds

- If you have kept a copy of your initial claim form, which you have, then read through it beforehand.

 - 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, as you've mentioned, 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 asked, I'd just say you live with your step-dad. There's no particular reason for an assessor to ask about his health, so I'd try not to worry about that one. However, there are plenty of people that successfully claim PIP & are also carers.

No, you won't get into trouble for not mentioning your diabetes; you couldn't anyway if you've only recently got this diagnosis.

Good luck