Please help - paper-based assessment?

W348

Hello,

I recently read that paper-based assessments are an actual thing, Can I please get some tips on how I can persuade them to let me do my assessment this way. I was actually going to write on my form if they could email me instead the assessment questions due to significant distress. Previously I had CAB attend an older ESA review for me, and they advised me to stay home.

I was not aware of this paper-based PIP option. I got my PIP form on Friday after waiting 11 days, and typed out my answers over a few days this weekend. I need to tidy it up a little while I gather some evidence in the meantime.

I am absolutely dreading the assessment and never applied previously for this reason. I came to terms with being able to tolerate a phone assessment but it wouldn’t be me doing the talking, I’d really rather be able to answer their questions on my own. And to do that I need a non-verbal option.

For context, I regularly email my GP, and when I have an appointment with him he brings up my emails, or I hand him notes or a statement I typed out on my phone, and I pass him this to read. If this is how I manage to communicate with my own GP for 5-10 minutes, the thought of having an assessment for upto an hour is really starting to make me panic now.

I don’t know how to go about requesting a paper-based assessment, or an email assessment if that is an option? Paper-based is fine if that’s all there is, I can manage that without distress.

Please advise the most effective way for me to get this option. I don’t know what to do. I’m thinking I should ask a family member to ring PIP number and ask about paper-based. Or get a message to my GP and ask if he can provide me with a note recommending paper-based assessment, and then I can include this with my form?

I’m feeling so confused and stressed out, but relieved that I’ve typed out the form answers at least.

Kizzie58

I'm in the same boat. They have sent me a phone assessment even though they know I've not been able to use a phone for over 25 years now. So will follow your thread to see the replies

I'm not even panicking so I know I'm dissociating and will not answer the phone on the day and my mind will just pretend this isn't happening. Last time I had a backpack packed and was just going to walk out my home as could no longer cope with forms and assessments.

poppy123456

Doing an assessment through email would not be possible. Paper based means that there wouldn't be an assessment at all. Those are rare but possible and are done if there's enough of information for an assessment not to be needed. It doesn't mean the assessment is done through email or messages.

When filling out the form you should include as much relevant information as possible. Include a couple of real world incidents of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each descriptor that applies to you. Adding detailed information such as, where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were. The space on the form is limited so use extra sheets of paper. Make sure you include your name and NI number on everything you send.

You can certainly ask for a paper based assessment and tell them the reasons why you've asked for this. Whether it's possible will depend on how much information you've given.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria#daily-living-activities Please have a read of that link and it will hopefully help you have a little more understanding of the descriptors and what they mean.

If you have an appointee and an assessment is needed they can answer the questions on your behalf.

Meg24

I have always had paper based aseessments for both ESA and PIP. Since covid they are more common because they got used to doing them. They have been occasions when the assessor has asked for more evidence from my GP, but usually I have managed to make sure that I send them enough paper evidence that they don't need to. As this is your first time you will have to send evidence of why you need one, so a letter from your GP or HCP that outlines why other options are detrimental to your health or cause you substantial distress. Then you will need to send as much evidence as you can, GP letters, letters from your regular HCP, medication evidence, any medical reports/care plans etc. Then you will need to write a LOT in your own words on your PIP form. Benefitsandwork.co.uk have really helpful guides for members but otherwise, I would advise you look at the point scoring descriptors and give the assessor as much information as possible about how and why you struggle with the activities. It helps to give a lot of examples or how you are affected in your day to day life in relation to the descriptors. You can only be described as being able to do the activity if you can do so safely, reliably as often as needed, and for the majority of the time.

Finally, I always start my evidence (which is always on separate paper to the PIP form because it's so long (don't forget to put your name and NI number on every page) with the sentence "all my previous assessments have been paper based assessments because of ... I request that I be given a paper based assessment again for this review, thank you. I also end my evidence with this, so it can't be missed.

Good luck.

W348

Thank you for suggestions.

My GP provided me with a sick note last week when I emailed him to say I was applying for PIP. In the sick note he has written ‘long-standing severe anxiety’’.

I did email him again recently (before I realised paper-based was an option) and asked if he can write me a more detailed GP report. He says he would not like to do this as he would have to charge me. I don’t mind paying if it might spare me a lot of stress with a verbal or in-person assessment.

Do you think a sick note would be good enough, maybe I could just ask him to add to this that paper-based would be preferred as to not cause distress? Or would you all generally recommend that I push for a GP report?

I feel like I am being a nuisance if I push for this, while I am happy to pay, I just think all GPs are very busy and perhaps don’t like doing these. I’d appreciate some more opinions here please. My deadline to return the form is 20th June.

poppy123456

You don't need a fit/sick note for a PIP claim because it's not about your ability to work. Fit notes would apply to ESA or Universal Credit.

A GP report/letter is never the best evidence send because they don't spend any time with you to know how your conditions affect you. They don't see you wash, dress, undress, cook etc etc. If they know then it will be because you told them and then it becomes hearsay.

A letter from your GP to say that an assessment would be detrimental to your health maybe helpful. You can request extra time to return the form and they will give you an extra 2 weeks.

W348

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/871755#Comment_871755

Thanks for this information. I was sure I mentioned it was PIP that I was trying to claim to the GP, but I muddle my words up and have to rely on my written notes at appointments like this - so I may not have explained myself properly.

What do you think I should do? I will write in my form that a paper-based assessment would be desired, as the alternative will be extremely difficult to cope with. But I don’t think they will take me at my word.

Is it possible the GP might write a letter and describe my difficulties communicating with him? I think this might be helpful to get a paper-based assessment instead.

I think I will try and get a email/letter to my GP this week and ask if he can write these difficulties for me to help get a paper based assessment. I want to ask him again for a report as I don’t have much evidence to hand. I don’t mind paying.

I can also mention with my form that CAB previously had attended an ESA review for me several years ago and advised I could stay at home for this. I haven’t been chased up for review since. Perhaps they can check this and confirm.

Appreciate any further advice or suggestions here. Thanks.

poppy123456

I personally wouldn't pay for a report from my GP because she doesn't really know how my conditions affect me. I can't tell you what you should do, that's entirely your decision. As I advised in my previous comment, you can ask them for a letter of support asking for a paper based assessment.

They don't usually check information from other benefits you're claiming either so please don't rely on that.

Kizzie58

@W348 ask if they have a care coordinator at your surgery. My care coordinator contacted me yesterday about a home visit from the Clinical Pharmacists. I mentioned to her that I was having a hard time right now as pip wanted to do a phone assessment and she replied that she can help me and contact them on my behalf outlining my difficulties going out and using a phone as they always have to email me for contact and making appointments etc

I had no idea they could do that for me



You are at the form filling stage? I would not stress too much right now about the actual assessment as most are waiting a year for that stage. Its been just over the year for me to get my assessment appointment date. A year of stress as I didn't know about this long wait, I could have relaxed for a while if I had.

While filling in your form maybe print out any emails and screengrabs of you communicating with your Dr or surgery and say you have a very hard time communicating so even if like me you still get a phone assessment appointment, you are covered in that you told them. before they had phone assessment they sent me one where I had to go to them,
I could not go and wrote to them explaining. My appointment date came and went and they wrote me asking why didn't I turn up and they may stop my money, I explained again and sent them a copy of all those things I had put into my review stating I cannot leave the house ( I had full blown agoraphobia then ) nor could I use a phone , they then came to me.

I feel people like us have a very rough time, its bad enough being physically disabled but with MHP too its just the icing on the top and even those who deal with question all the time seem to take it lightly and say, get someone to ring for you or you can have someone with you. They would not say to someone wheelchair bound, get someone to carry you up the stairs. Im a very private person and hate asking for help and cannot have people with me as that stresses me out even more, it doesn't calm me at all I need to be able to focus on the person I need to focus on without others around as it distracts me having my focus shared

Anyway. I hope all goes well for you. I will let you know how it went for me as I'm a stage in front. 💕

Kimi87

PIP review assessments appointments are taking a long time, new claims as the OP is making are a lot quicker in terms of getting an appointment.

poppy123456

@Kizzie58 the long waiting times for decisions apply to reviews and not to first time claims. First time claims are much quicker than reviews. W348 said in their first comment that they've never applied before because of the assessment worries.

Kizzie58

Oh my apologies I thought it was a review not a new claim.

BUT even so other than the long wait the rest of my post is still valid. ( I hope )

Get a extension if you can to give yourself time to sort out other things.

W348

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/871828#Comment_871828

I’ve sent an email yesterday requesting a letter of support from GP, and asked him if he could include at the top of his letter about my difficulties with talking and recommend a paper-based assessment. I've not heard back yet, sometimes this can take a while - I understand he will be busy, and do feel like I am a bit of a nuisance with this form stuff.

Interesting that you mention Care Coordinator, I was also not aware they can assist in this way. I have noticed on some of my email to reception that the odd reply I get says it is from a Care Coordinator, this is just usually when I ask them to forward a message to my GP.

If I don't have any luck with paying for GP letter, because he may be too busy or something - perhaps I could ask about the Care Coordinator on my email to reception. I'd be happy just to have an email reply from them recommending 'paper-based' just so I have something to include with my form.

Thanks everyone for your insight thus far, really appreciate it.

Didyeaye

Hi I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right place no clue. I received a text message this morning regarding my renewal an this it what it said.. Your PIP review is complete. You should receive your decision letter in 2 weeks. Once you receive your letter, contact us if you have any questions. Do not call before you get the letter as we will not be able to tell you the decision. Please remember to contact us if your circumstances change. I didn't get a f2f or telephone call does this mean they done a paper based review the last f2f I got was 4 years ago thanks in advance. Feeling very anxious 😟