Pip Assessment finally

cristobal

@twonker - you may be right but I can't really judge as my experience is based on only one assessment.

I could actually do a lot of the descriptors - what was a problem for most of them was the 'reliability' factor. e.g. I could prepare and cook a very nice meal, as long as I didn't leave the gas on and set the house on fire...

Winding back to my own assessment, I tried to add 'reliably to each of the questions and then answer "I can't do 'x' reliably' (if this were the case) and then explain why. I found it difficult to do this throughout the assessment but I thought that it was a key part of the process.

The problem is that I imagine I might have sounded like a barrack room lawyer, or a 'know it all' who had learnt the DWP guidelines!

CockneyRebel

twonker said:

The reliably factor is not something that the assessor tends to offer. It seems that it is for the claimant to claim it through the answers to the questions asked. I too was never asked anything about reliability - just that you can either do it or not do it. I did try to put that point to the assessor in saying yes to cooking BUT.... and yes to bathing BUT..., but my 'buts' were disregarded as they had already registered my answer and had moved on to the next question.

Here is the problem that most people have. We are preprogrammed to answer in the positive, When you visit  your GP for example they will often say " How are you today ?" and you reply " I am fine" or similar.

You need to get used to answering " No, but on some occasions" etc. When you answer yes, the assessor will move on and not hear any explaination you may offer. When you answer No, the assessor then has to listen and  ask further questions to qualify an answer

pcoventry

thedoc said:

Finally had my assessment date for pip claim of capita and it's a home visit rather apprehensive though because its my first claim. Any information on what it will be like would be greatfully received thanks 

I had one on Monday it's not as bad as you think - they will ask about your worst day - give as much info as possible 

Chloe_Scope

Thank you for sharing your experience @pcoventry! Hope it goes well @thedoc and that the advice has helped  

poppy123456

pcoventry said:

I had one on Monday it's not as bad as you think - they will ask about your worst day - give as much info as possible 

 During an assessment they don't ask about your worst day and you really shouldn't base it on your worst day. PIP is about how you are at least 50% of the time over a 12 month period, it's not about your worst day.

If you tell them your worst day during an assessment and it's not your worst day, then it's very likely the HCP will see through this and think "if that's their worst day then they can't be as bad as they say they are"

Always tell them about all of your days, whether they are good or bad.

cristobal

@poppy123456 @pcoventry...if I remember correctly other posters have mentioned being asked about their worst day.....

...which is strange, because I agree with you that it doesn't seem like a good idea...

pcoventry

@cristobal I am lucky in that 6 out of 7 days are my worst days - so I was having a bad day when I had my assessment 

twonker

CockneyRebel said:

twonker said:

The reliably factor is not something that the assessor tends to offer. It seems that it is for the claimant to claim it through the answers to the questions asked. I too was never asked anything about reliability - just that you can either do it or not do it. I did try to put that point to the assessor in saying yes to cooking BUT.... and yes to bathing BUT..., but my 'buts' were disregarded as they had already registered my answer and had moved on to the next question.

Here is the problem that most people have. We are preprogrammed to answer in the positive, When you visit  your GP for example they will often say " How are you today ?" and you reply " I am fine" or similar.

You need to get used to answering " No, but on some occasions" etc. When you answer yes, the assessor will move on and not hear any explaination you may offer. When you answer No, the assessor then has to listen and  ask further questions to qualify an answer

Not saying that you are right or wrong. Taking the question you have quoted and making it a negative. GP how are you feeling today? Not good at all, but some days are better than others when in fact you are actually having a good day but some days are not as good.

Surely giving the first answer would be a lie?

 If you start believing in the negative so as to give the answer you suggest most people will end up thinking and believing that life in general is a negative experience. That could cause terrible consequences for those who suffer from various mental health issues.

All it needs is for the assessor to listen to what is being said without the claimant having to turn everything around so that no is the first thing out of your mouth.
Personally I don't want to lie or be a negative individual and it is not right that the PIP system tries to make people think negatively.

twonker

poppy123456 said:

pcoventry said:

I had one on Monday it's not as bad as you think - they will ask about your worst day - give as much info as possible 

 During an assessment they don't ask about your worst day and you really shouldn't base it on your worst day. PIP is about how you are at least 50% of the time over a 12 month period, it's not about your worst day.

If you tell them your worst day during an assessment and it's not your worst day, then it's very likely the HCP will see through this and think "if that's their worst day then they can't be as bad as they say they are"

Always tell them about all of your days, whether they are good or bad.

Your post goes against what Cockneyrebel is saying. He says that you should not answer any question with a positive statement such as yes.

This all sounds a bit confusing to me. Say it as it is is my motto and if appropriate qualify your answer as you are suggesting.

Megan27

Totally confusing I've got a home face to face on Wednesday my condition is about safety has I have a very unstable knee and was going to answer the questions around safety

CockneyRebel

Don't be rushed into answering. Listen to what is being asked. Don't say yes to something and then try to qualify having difficulty. Many closed questions lead you into giving yes or no answers, can you complete an activity Safely, Repeatedly, To an acceptable standard, In a reasonable time and for the majority of time

Megan27

Thankyou so do you my say yes or no just give an answer why you can't it's so stressful it's made me more ill

CockneyRebel

You must always answer truthfully, if you have difficulty say so

Megan27

I have a lot of difficulty and will answer truthfully I had lots of evidence as well but some answers are confusing  but I suppose it depends on the day what's asked

twonker

CockneyRebel said:

You must always answer truthfully, if you have difficulty say so

There should be no difficulty in telling the truth

Megan27

Thankyou