Update on partners PIP Assessment

AhhBisto

Few days ago asked for advice on what the PIP assessment was actually like. Yesterday we had the interview and i thought I would share our personal experiences.

First thing first the assessor was very polite and patient and friendly. In the comments I was asked if I was an appointee and I thought I was since I started the application, filled in the form and included my name and so on and didn't see any reason why I wouldn't be. However on attending the interview as my partner is has cognitive impairment she had to ask her "Do you know why you are here today?" Which through me and my partner off completely, she informed me unless I was specifically registered to be her Appointee by DWP then that I could not prompt her. 

Now considering we had only just sat down and my partners nerves she couldn't answer the question, I politely asked(almost begged) if it could be rephrased slightly as I know she understands why she just didn't understand the reason for the question. The question was repeated and she was able to kind of give a very brief answer. 

We went onto the next set of questions which mostly followed the booklet, there was as mentioned by previous commenter, questions on how we got here, where we parked and what we do in a day. I let my partner answer as much as possible but helped when she struggled to explain or went off into a completely different conversation.

She did advise us multiple times to really give in depth answers as a decision maker has to read the report and if it's not included it didn't happen. My partner does struggle with understanding what she can and cannot do but I think we got most of the major points in there and anything she could do I explained how I would help assist her such as medication, cleaning etc.

The assessment lasted about 30/45 minutes and no physical exams took place as the assessor already had read the report from the hospital who had very clearly explained what they've assessed and the level of help she needs.

Overall it wasn't as stressful as thought it would be, I don't have high hopes but I'm sure if we need to challenge a decision in the end it will come to fruition.

poppy123456

Hi,

Unless you both had a visit from a DWP representative to become your wife's appointee and signed a form while they were there then no, you're not her appointee. https://www.gov.uk/become-appointee-for-someone-claiming-benefits

I'm glad it wasn't as bad as you were expecting. Hopefully your wife will have a decision in her favour.

If you live in the UK then about a weeks time your wife will be able to ring DWP to request a copy of the assessment report to be sent to her, this will give her some idea what the decision is likely to be because they mostly go with the report. All you have to do is look for the ticks/dots at the back of the report and compare the PIP descriptors against them to add up the recommended points. If a decision doesn't go in her favour or it's not the award you were expecting then this will be useful to write the Mandatory Reconsideration request. Good luck.