Pip assessment for PTSD - I got asked whether I could get on a bus?

Loumc48

So confused! I had my pip assessment today finally after 11 weeks since applying .

It lasted for 1hr 20 mins and the assessor was very nice however he asked me whether I could take a bus to a destination that I didn’t know. I did say that I hadn’t been on a bus in 30 years as I live in a very rural area and there are no such thing as buses . He said he understood but asked if I lived elsewhere , would I be able to do that? I answered again stating that is impossible to answer with regards to getting on a bus but if he was wondering whether I could take a journey in a car on my own where I hadn’t been before, then the answer was no.

Has anyone else had this ?

Meredithshep

Yes, it's to see how you cope taking journeys familiar and unfamiliar

Jimm_Alumni

Hey @Loumc48, this is a pretty common question. They're trying to assess if you are able to undergo journeys by yourself, familiar or unfamiliar, and how that affects your day to day life. The bus question you were asked is one I have heard many times before, not very out of the ordinary.

How do you feel about the assessment as a whole? I know it can be pretty stressful to go through, I'm glad your assessor was nice however 🙂

Loumc48

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/939540#Comment_939540

Hi @Jimm_Scope

Thanks for that. Just seemed odd to me!
It was very different from the assessment I had to do on behalf of my husband after he had his motorbike accident. The assessor spent the first 40 mins talking about my PTSD, what sets off the anxiety , what my career was prior to becoming my husbands carer, what kind of person i was compared to now and then we started going through the questions.

A lot of it felt like I was having a psychiatric session ! So, I’ve no idea. He said six to eight weeks but hopefully something will happen sooner . I got for my husbands award 13 days after the assessment so who knows.

Jimm_Alumni

Hopefully you hear sooner @Loumc48! Do let us know how you get on though, remember we are here if anything happens and you want to ask about next steps. 🙂

Loumc48

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/940027#Comment_940027

Thank you ! I was convinced that I wouldn’t be entitled to anything but that has given me hope ……. Just the waiting game now. I’m hoping I’ll get the text confirming the report has gone to the DWP soon so at least I can get a copy of it!