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Assessment
charlie2017
Member Posts: 24 Listener
i have been called in for an assessment as I know most people are, but am dreading it as most people do. The main issue is I feel that these appointments are there to catch you out rather than discover the facts so o feel negative before it's even started and this will probably result in me being negative and defensive at the appointment. Has anyone else felt like this and how do you go about getting through it in a more positive light
Replies
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The majority of claims are handled professionally and sympatheticaly.
When you go for assessment, take with you the worlds leading expert. Take with you the one person that knows all about your life. The assessor doesn't know you, they may have skimmed through your file but that is about it. This is your opportunity to paint a picture of your life and the challenges you face. It is your job to teach the assessor what help you need to lead the best life you can.
So take the worlds leading expert with you and you cannot be wrong. This amazing expert is you.
I know what you mean, mate, in all other aspects of my life, I am resolutely fearless, but my upcoming WCA has even gotten me a little twitchy. It seems like the government/media joint policy of demonising and criminalising the efforts of disabled or unwell people to maintain a reasonable standard of living are working, even on us, ourselves. When I handed in my first fit note at the jobcentre in February this year, my original 'work coach' (I've been reassigned to somebody more humane since) snorted derisively and said, "This isnt going to work, you know"; while being exposed to that low level of discrimination from a government employee was unjust and cowardly, I felt that there are people who would half surrender at that point, and I've seen people forced to attend the jobcentre who should really be at home, being cared for. Me, and millions of others like me, paid tax unquestioningly for decades to ensure that those amongst us who are too unwell to work - whatever the ailment - would be taken care of; its part of how a civilized society works. If successive 'governments' have spent our money in other ways, on other things, without our knowledge or consent, it is criminal for them to attempt to recover their losses by bullying society's most vulnerable. Do what @CockneyRebel advises, and take the most qualified person who knows and understands how your disability affects you - yourself - to the assessment. Remember that, what you are seeking isn't a gift, a handout, or charity; its yours by right. Good luck.
I was asked about hobbies - saying you do craft or jigsaws would indicate considerable manual dexterity. Asked if I had any pets - would indicate a certain level of physical capacity to look after them, especially dogs. But then many disabled people have assistance dogs...
Asked if I found I'd left something in the car when attending an outpatient clinic would I go back for it? I go to hospital by taxi.
Did I sometimes not bother to try to chop/peel veg and settle for a sandwich? No, always persevere trying to chop/peel veg.
The trickiest was how long can I walk for, not how far? Watch out for this one. The length of time you can walk is the time it takes to walk the distance you have said you can walk on bad days before you need to stop and rest.
At first I was awarded standard rate daily living and mobility for five years. At Tribunal this was changed to enhanced rate both indefinitely. So don't despair at your report and award if it's not what you expect. There is the appeal route where the Tribunal are impartial and examine the evidence all over again with no agenda.