Husband has PIP assessment in a couple of weeks. Will I be allowed in the assessment with him?

anneellena

My husband had a stroke almost 7years ago and has been getting DLA payments  Never had a face to face assessment before and recently completed his PIP application. Got appointment for his assessment in a couple of weeks .I have to complete all forms as he can no longer read or write .He also has memory problems, and speech  and language difficulties. Will I be allowed in the assessment with him to help him understand and answer questions for him ?  If so can I take a copy of the form in with me ? 
Thanks for any advice /help

Liam_Alumni

Hi @anneellena,

Welcome to Scope's online community! It's great to have you on board.

You will be able to attend the PIP assessment with your husband as moral support, but I'm afraid you can't talk for him when he is being asked questions. In terms of taking the form with you, do take in a copy of your application and any supporting evidence which may help you.

We have lots of information about PIP - along with an FAQ section - on our website, which you may also find helpful.

Best of luck to your husband for his assessment. Do let us know how it goes!

Pin

My mum came with me and was allowed to add to the questions asked. I think it’s tribunals that only certain people can speak during.

thespiceman

Hello @anneellena   Pleased to meet you welcome.

Thank you for sharing.  Understand the difficulties and problems with the assessment. With every PIP assessment you receive or should have received a booklet.

In it describes what you can do or need to do, to prepare for the assessment.

You are allowed to have support and I have the booklet. It says you allowed to have a companion or family member.  Support worker is another option. To answer any questions he is asked.   He will need to answer some questions about his health.  If he can. 

I myself have memory problems and am partial deafness and had to answer the questions.  Have some issues with  communication.

Had my friend prompting me to the assessor. 

I understand how hard and difficult this is. I would contact the Customer Service Centre.  The people doing the assessment.  Be a number on the assessment letter you have received.  To say any problems if that helps.

I wish you all the best for a successful outcome. We are here to help, advise and support.

Please take care

@thespiceman

atlas46

Hi @anneellena

You need to ask for a reasonable adjustments from the HPC at the very start of the assessment, to speak and assist on behalf of your husband.

Are you an Appointee for your husband, with the DWP? If yes, then again you will be able to speak and assist your husband, throughout the assessment.

At my assessment my wife spoke and assisted me.

Let us know if you need any further assistance.

Yadnad

anneellena said:

My husband had a stroke almost 7years ago and has been getting DLA payments  Never had a face to face assessment before and recently completed his PIP application. Got appointment for his assessment in a couple of weeks .I have to complete all forms as he can no longer read or write .He also has memory problems, and speech  and language difficulties. Will I be allowed in the assessment with him to help him understand and answer questions for him ?  If so can I take a copy of the form in with me ? 
Thanks for any advice /help

As has been said already the claimant can take someone in with them but only for support.
It is not a requirement that someone does go with the claimant. the claimant can go in on their own.
As for answering questions put to the claimant then that depends on the assessor. Some will ask that the claimant only talks, whilst some will actively involve everyone present so as to get better understanding. 
Some assessors or their staff can and do suggest that the claimant goes in alone so as to avoid anybody else adding to the answers. This happened to me where my wife was told that she need not be with me.

It is all down to the assessor he has on the day - they all have their own ideas on how the assessment will be carried out.

Finally if someone is the official appointee of the claimant and has been approved by the DWP then they can and generally do answer the questions for and on behalf of the claimant.

anneellena

Thank you for your help. All my husband's correspondence comes in my name and says I am responsible for supply all information so I presume I'm an appointee. I think I had to sign something when I filled his first claim form in .

Yadnad

anneellena said:

Thank you for your help. All my husband's correspondence comes in my name and says I am responsible for supply all information so I presume I'm an appointee. I think I had to sign something when I filled his first claim form in .

As long as it was done officially through the DWP then yes you would be his appointee

atlas46

Hi @anneellena

It does look like you are the Appointee for your husband and thus you will be entitled to speak on his behalf.  But you should call the PIP helpline to ensure they have got this formally recorded, on your behalf.

Also, have you got or have applied for Power of Attorney, or Duputy on behalf of your husband?

As far as Yadnad, "He knows not what he says".

Yadnad

atlas46 said:

Hi @anneellena
As far as Yadnad, "He knows not what he says".

And the purpose of that comment is?

anneellena

Am just in process of completing power of attorney application. All our accounts and assets are in joint names with either to sign so there is no problem at the moment

atlas46

Put any evidence you have to HCP at assessment, you are on a winner.

How old was your husband, when he he had stroke?  This is inmport.

Yadnad

atlas46 said:

Put any evidence you have to HCP at assessment, you are on a winner.

It's highly unlikely that the assessor will accept it never mind read it.
You are better advised that as soon as you have the evidence you should submit it to the DWP.

atlas46

Yadnad said:

atlas46 said:

Hi @anneellena
As far as Yadnad, "He knows not what he says".

And the purpose of that comment is?

anneellena

He was 50 when he had the stroke and was in hospital for 3monthsc

atlas46

Tattoos is important, will speak tomorrow.

Yadnad

atlas46 said:

Tattoos is important, will speak tomorrow.

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anneellena

Thank you. The only worry I have is that he will just answer yes to all the questions when he doesn't understand what's being asked. I have to explain most things to him. 

poppy123456

As you signed the form and the DWP letters are addressed to you this does sound like you're his appointee. Being his appointee means you'll be able to speak on his behalf, I did exactly this during my daughters PIP assessment. The only thing she had to answer at the end was 2 questions....spell a certain word backwards, and add 2 numbers together. Make sure you give as much information as possible during the assessment. 

anneellena

Thank you. My husband cannot read or spell any words. Does know alphabet but doesn't recognise any letters. Has trouble with sight test which has to be adapted for him .He can count but not sure about adding 

anneellena

How long did it take to get a decision after attending assessment .