Preparation for PIP assessment

Teddylo

I'm new to this site. & trying to gather as much information as I can for my Pip assessment on Friday. I can honestly say I am in a panic to say the least as I don't have any experience with the benefits system as up until the start of the year seemed relatively healthy & an outdoors power walker but in the space of 10 months I am reduced to being housebound with suspected RA. I have been assessed by OT & have aids fitted in my house. I am no longer able to return to the job I had so live off SSP for now. 
I have my rheumatology appointment next week but I am beginning to worry about finances & the future!
I still need to buy further aids & my OT advised applying for pip in order to do this but after reading up on the refusals & the stress caused to so many people I'm feeling very low! 

CockneyRebel

Hello Teddylo and welcome

Please don't worry, we mainly see people on the forums that need advice after a problem assessment. There are many more that we never hear about because they go through as they should.

Starting on the benefits trail can be daunting but the more you learn the better prepared you are.
There is lots of info on this site so please have a look around.
It is important to understand the points system, descriptors and the criteria for an award. A good place to start is the self test on the B&W site

http://www.mybenefitsandwork.co.uk/pip/indexxx.php

Please come back with any questiona and we will do what we can to help

CR

steve51

Hi @Teddylo

A very very big welcome to you to our online community.

You don't need to worry at all ???

We have got lot's off useful "info" & "benefit
 calculator"

https://www.scope.org.uk/support/disabled-people/benefits/check

https://www.scope.org.uk/support/disabled-people/benefits/pip

https://www.scope.org.uk/support/disabled-people/money/pip/faqs

Please let me know if there is any help that you need for your assessment ???????

Teddylo

Hi Stevie, thank you so much for the welcome & info. I'm pretty much prepared for tomorrow but I came across the pip assessors handbook on here but now can't find it again to double check everything. Can you point me in the right direction? 

CockneyRebel

Is this what you want ?

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/655612/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-assessment-criteria.pdf

CR

Teddylo

Yes that's it, thank you so much. I'm not expecting any problems at the assessment but want to be as prepared & on the ball, thank you again for your time & help! 

CockneyRebel

You are very welcome
I wish you the very best of luck

CR

steve51

Hi @Teddylo

All the best for your assessment please can you let me know how things go ????

Alex

Hi @Teddylo

Good luck with the assessment today. Let us know how you get on.

Teddylo

Hi, it's just been cancelled due to staff shortages so it's now on the 23rd. Now I'm facing a battle with my work as my doctor is off & can't get my sick line until Monday which is a week late, so I will have to struggle this month on 3 weeks statutory sick pay.
I feel I'm living a nightmare! 

Pippa_Alumni

Oh no, so sorry to hear that @Teddylo. How frustrating for you! Really hope you can get things sorted ahead of your new assessment date.

mikehughescq

Please remember that the PIP assessment is a face to face discussion not a medical. They can only do functional/medical assessments at the meeting if they lack information in that area and you give separate verbal consent for them to proceed. So, for example, if you were hearing impaired and had sent in up to date audiology results, there's no justification for them doing a hearing test (and usually in a non-standard bad way too). 

Also, go in with your claim pack and a bullet point list of the activities you think you score points on. At the end, don't ask them how many points they're recommending (they won't say), ask them how many areas you think they score in. If there's a difference between your list and theirs then query the areas; identify the problem and ask to go back over it before you leave.