PIP phone review assessment

ibzy162

Hi,

hope everyone is in good health and strength. Just a query to be honest I had my phone assessment on the 18th July just gone, as everyone does be I was very scared and had previously cancelled my appointment because of this.

My pip was extended because it came to an end in December 2023. So I had my phone assessment on the 18th July was worried scared and everything else that you can be. I suffer from anxiety depression OCD,ADHD. The phone call lasted around 50mins. I tried my best to answer them , I realised they ask the questions different ways, ask about school and driving. I was really confused but I have to say that the lady was really nice and understanding. I have been on enhanced daily and standard mobility since 2020.

At the end of the phone call the lady said to me I think we have enough information now to pass on to DWP. Then she said to me that my pip most likely won’t change and worst case it will stay the same. I’m just really confused on this can she say that or know what the outcome will be? I haven’t got my hopes up one bit because last time when this happened I got denied pip. But I’m just wandering can she make that ‘prediction’ or know the outcome. Has this happened to anyone else where the assessor at the end has said something like that.

chiarieds

Hi @ibzy162 - well done on getting through your assessment, & I'm pleased that the assessor was so understanding. Unfortunately the assessor shouldn't have said anything about your award, as only the DWP decision maker can decide about this.

ibzy162

thank you for the reply.

That’s what I did not understand. It’s good these phone calls are recorded. She must of repeated it at least 2 or 3 times im sure because I wasn’t understanding what she meant by it. She was like ‘don’t worry most likely it will stay the same your pip or worst case it won’t change you have nothing to worry about’ I was thinking maybe everyone gets similar information right at the end of the phone call. She must know something about the points system to be saying this. The last time I had phone call and the lady said that went very well and I scored 0 points. But she dint say what this woman said to me. So either the outcome is already made after the phone call by the assessor who know the points system and just pass it on to DWP to let me but doesn’t make no sense either way

chiarieds

We have heard of assessors telling the claimant not to worry, etc., but they really shouldn't be commenting. They make recommendations in their report which then is sent to the DWP. As the name implies, only a decision maker can decide, so the assessor can't possibly know the outcome.

Decision makers do usually go with the assessor's recommendation, but we've certainly seen this doesn't always happen.

poppy123456

PIP assessments are not automatically recorded. You need to ask for them to do this before the day of the assessment or you can record it yourself.

The assessor makes recommendations by writing a report. That is then returned to DWP and a decision maker will look at that as well as any other evidence you sent, including the form you filled in and then come to a decision.

ibzy162

Thanks again for the replies. I just thought I would ask just in case it happens to anyone else. She did say this phone is recorded at the start so then I thought I dint need to bother recording myself.

That’s what I thought they do they ask some random questions then some questions that was on the questionnaire. But even that they don’t read properly she asked me if I had been in hospital since been awarded pip I said yes should be written in my form. Then she looked and goes oh yes it is written there. But I’m hoping it goes well it’s been a tough ride.

maybe the assessor can sort of know the outcome based on what is said and that written by them in the phone call. It is wrong to say something and then the opposite happens. This would be kind of unfair. I really wouldn’t want to get her in any trouble as she made that phone call very simple and easy for me.

Jimm_Alumni

It's possible the assessor could tell how nervous and worried you were and was trying to make you feel less worried, but as Chiarieds said they shouldn't really be saying that. Because it's the DWP decision maker who actually decides.

Best of luck with it though, we are here if you need any help after you get your decision. 🙂

ibzy162

thanks for the reply. That’s what I thought maybe she was being just kind. But abit misleading as well because she’s not making the decision but at the end of the call it’s like she made the decision for the DWP. Because first I was thinking okay now that she’s said that it must be a good outcome she knows better than me but I thought after she’s just getting my hopes up

ibzy162

Just a quick reply and update. Received a text on Monday 29th July 2024 , your pip review is complete you should receive your decision letter in 2 weeks….

So I rang up today 2 days later went through the automated questions and was told my payment and payment date. I know this is not always correct and can be wrong stayed on the phone for 40 mins and totally forgot what to say to the person on the other end. Literally asked me more questions and said how can I help, I was like I don’t know what to say. Then she told me you had review recently I said yes have I lost my pip. She told me that she can’t tell me the decision and it’s coming through the post. I told her the robot told me my payment is X amount on 7th August is that correct and she goes yes what the robot said is correct but I can’t tell you the decision. I told her people told me the automated line robot thingy can be wrong she said yes that’s correct.

Personally I think she was pulling my leg.. the way she spoke I don’t know maybe it’s just me felt like I wasn’t awarded.

poppy123456

Sometimes you will have some call centre staff that won’t tell you what the decision was. Some will. You can either ring back and hopefully speak to someone else who will tell you the decision or wait for the letter.

ibzy162

might have to just wait for the letter.. I really don’t understand why these pip people make things soo hard or make things like it’s a mystery. I don’t understand why things can’t just be simple.. if your awarded your awarded tell the person by text or over the phone if they ring. It’s all about the letter.. it’s always this or that nothing is straight forward..

ibzy162

Just thought I would update as it’s good to hear good news usually people don’t say when they get awarded.

So got rewarded same as before enhanced daily and standard mobility . I really should have got enhanced mobility but really can’t be bothered and haven’t got the strength to appeal for 2 points I need to get enhanced. So yes the assessor was right what she told me end of the phone call and also the automated system was right.

Steve1987

That's really good news! Congrats! I bet you are so relieved!

Also, about the DWP staff, they are so inconsistent! Some will help, some won't. I often wonder if they are cold-hearted because they have to deliver bad news all the time and they don't want to get emotionally invested with people. Does that make sense?

WhatThe

I think the staff just pretend to be nice. DWP doesn't recruit softies.

ibzy162

totally understand. But there’s so much beating around the bush.. if you are awarded they should just say it.. I was told after the assessment by the assessor that most likely my award will stay the same and she was right.. also the automated system was right and then the DWP person telling me yes to everything.. so I think it’s just hit or miss if they want to tell you.. it’s sad to be that way.. should be much simpler

Steve1987

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/896006#Comment_896006

The whole PIP process is horrible. But you don’t need to worry now! When will you next be reviewed?

ibzy162

100% correct on that.. it’s torture it really is.. it’s scary and unfair.. it’s until 2027 so got few years to chill until the next beat down..

Steve1987

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/896012#Comment_896012

Excellent!! Really pleased for you.