Pip assessment

Lanson66

I have today had a second pip telephone assessment having had one 6 weeks ago. I raised a discussion as to why I was being asked to have a second assessment without having a decision on the previous assessment. Today I asked the accessor who said that there was nothing on the system about my previous assessment. The call lasted 58 minutes and on this occasion I felt that I was being rushed and words were being put into my mouth. The assessor said at the beginning that she would roll all of my conditions into one as they were related!! Rheumatoid arthritis, bi lateral shoulder displacement, palindromic  arthritis, scoliosis, Reynards, sero negative arthritis, ibs, depression and anxiety and uncontrollable hypertension!! She contradicted me as to what medication I was prescribed for some of the conditions advising me that it would not have been prescribed for the particular condition. Kept asking the same questions in various ways such as preparing food I said I mainly use a microwave and she asked could I use a cooker if needed, I could but choose not to because if I get distracted or fall asleep a microwave will turn off and a conventional oven would not. Never spoke about the hypertension typically 220 / 150 so always crisis level. All in all I feel despondent and expect a negative assessment. On the benefits website I self assessed and scored 21 daily living and 8 mobility. Really feeling down about the whole thing particularly as I have no idea why my first assessment was not used 

chiarieds

Hi @Lanson66 - I had a similar experience to yourself when I first claimed PIP before joining this community. In my case it was 2 face to face assessments in 3 weeks.

As poppy has previously mentioned, it's likely your first assessment was audited, which is good, as sometimes assessor's reports are checked to make sure they're of good quality. I did have a person, whom I now realise must have been a Case Manager, ring to ask me a few questions after the first assessment, however.

Now you likely felt like myself, I rang thinking it must be an error that I was asked to attend another assessment. I was told just a few questions would be asked, but my 2nd assessor said all she knew was that she needed to instead complete a full assessment.

When I later asked for a copy of the first assessor's report, I was also told that there was nothing on the system about this either.

I'm sorry you feel your 2nd assessment didn't go as well, & appreciate it can feel frustrating when an assessor asks questions in different ways, but they're just trying to work out which descriptor 'fits' you the best.

Altho it's also frustrating that they didn't seem to understand your disabilities very well at all, PIP is about any functional problems you might have, & not your disabilities, so in a way, I wouldn't be disheartened about that.

Sorry to say I don't think self assessing yourself about PIP is great, as you can both underscore or overscore yourself.

There will have been a reason why your first assessment wasn't used; usually as the report is of poor quality, so, altho you're uncertain about your 2nd assessment, I'm hoping that this may be better than you think.

poppy123456

The PIP self test is the worst thing I’ve ever seen and I would never ever recommend anyone to use it. It is so easy to over score and even under score yourself, unless you fully understand the PIP descriptors and few people do. 

If you do understand them then there wouldn’t be any need to use the self test because you could just look at the descriptors and see from there. 

I didn’t think it’s possible to predict anything from your assessment. We do have members here that think it didn’t go well and go onto be awarded. 

If the worst happens and you are refused then you can challenge that decision by requesting the MR but hopefully it won’t come to that. 

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @Lanson66

I am so sorry that you had to go through it again. I see you have had great advice and support here and I am keeping everything crossed for you with the outcome!!

Lanson66

One comment has just come back to me at the end of my second telephone assessment.. as I previously mentioned I felt disappointed after the assessment because of the lack of empathy and contradictions.. the assessor said that she will get this fast tracked for me? 

Can anyone add some clarification as to what that means?

poppy123456

The only PIP claims that are fast tracked are those that are claiming for end of life. For everyone else the same rules apply and an assessor can't fast track anything. 

Once the assessment report is written it will be returned to DWP. From there a decision can take up to about 12 weeks. 

Lanson66

Ok thanks for clarifying that . I am confused as to why the assessor would make the comment about fast tracking my application, I assumed it was because the first telephone assessment was not used for the decision making process. I have today had a DWP text advising me that my report has been received and expect a waiting period of around 8 weeks before the decision is received 

poppy123456

The only claims that are fast tracked are those claiming because of end of life. Everyone else has to go through the normal claims process. I have no idea why they told you otherwise. 

Yes, they tell everyone 8 weeks but it's more like up to 12 weeks. Some have decisions much sooner than that and other wait longer.