PIP assessment with Capita and I'm really anxious

sospanjones20

Hiya, I've got my pip assesment with capita next week and I'm really anxious. 

I have severe depression and anxiety, along with daily pain and exhaustion, I've got a diagnosis of fibromyalgia,ME, and ASD.

I can come across fairly well over the phone and am worried they'll misjudge me.

Anyone in a similar position been through this?

Ails

Hi @sospanjones20 and welcome to the Community.  It's nice to meet you.  

I haven't been through a telephone assessment myself so unable to comment on how things go there.  However, I'm sure the assessor will just base their findings on the information you give them rather than misjudging you.  I'm sure other members have gone through a telephone assessment and will be best to advise you.  Please try not to worry about it, but I know this is easier said than done.  Let us know how you get on and I wish you well with it.

If there is anything we can do to help/support you then please just let us know.  All the best. 

chiarieds

Hi @sospanjones20 - Welcome to the community from me too, & thank you for joining. I'm sorry to read about the physical & mental health problems you're facing, & that you're understandably nervous about your phone assessment. I've had 2 PIP assessments, but not one by phone. However, they are essentially the same, as far as any questions go.

The important thing to take onboard, is, that whilst you might be asked about your medical history, & medication, PIP is mainly about how your disability affects you both mentally, & physically, so this is what the majority of the questions will be about. Try & give a couple of recent examples where you faced difficulties for any descriptor that applies. Say when it's difficult, why, what problems does it cause, such as pain, etc. With you having ME, you should say if any activity causes you fatigue during or afterwards, if any activity takes you longer, etc.

If you've a copy of your 'How Your Disability Affects You' booklet, look through your responses beforehand.

I would suggest having a read through the whole of the following link about the descriptors too.

See: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asset-library/Scores-for-PIP-Descriptors-2020.pdf

You can ask the DWP for a copy of the assessor's report a week afterwards. Tel: 0800 121 4433 The report will give an indication of what you may be awarded, as the DWP Decision Maker usually agrees with the report. You will still have to wait for the actual decision letter tho.

As Ails says, please do let us know how you get on, thank you. 

sospanjones20

Thank you both so much for the kind words of encouragement and advice x got fingers and toes crossed and just counting the minutes until its over now ! I will keep you posted. No doubt with a lengthy description of the phone call