If this is your first visit, check out the community guide. You will have to Join us or Sign in before you can post.
Receiving too many notifications? Adjust your notification settings.
PIP phone assessment advice

Hi everyone, I'm really new here so I hope this is the right place to ask.
I've got my PIP phone assessment this week. It's my first one, I've never claimed before, and honestly I'm so scared about it that I feel physically sick (I've felt like this the past couple days, but as the assessment gets nearer it's been getting even worse). Does anyone have any advice?
For example, when answering the questions, is there anything particularly useful to remember to say - e.g is it more helpful to give a general overview, or to use specific examples? Examples of when it's really bad? And, will they care much about how things make me feel (e.g being unable to do anything for myself makes me feel incredibly depressed and suicidal on a daily basis), or will me talking about how bad I feel come across badly? If they ask something like 'Can you eat and drink unaided?' is it reasonable for me to say 'I can't eat/drink unaided at all', because that is the reality of it (if my husband isn't there to prompt me, I can't eat - when he is away I can't eat anything), even though if you held me at gunpoint and forced me to do it I could technically do it?
Are there any specific do's or don'ts for a telephone assessment? I'm incredibly grateful to be able to do a telephone assessment, rather than see someone in person, but I'm scared that I won't come across very well over the phone, and I'm quite scared that I might cry. I know there's always appealing a decision, and I shouldn't be so scared about making a mistake, but our finances are really not great due to me being unable to work and my husband having to work part time to look after me - I feel like if I mess this up then it'll be really bad.
As a final point - how long on average is it likely to take after my assessment for me to receive a decision? I've heard quite a few different things on the internet.
Thanks in advance, and sorry for the long post.
Replies
My partner had his telephone assessment 2 weeks ago. They asked him things like washing and dressing. How far he could walk etc.
He had his results back a week later he was turned down. He has Parkinson’s disease. So our next step is mandatory reconsideration. I’m wishing you the best of luck hopefully you get your award 😊
I wish you the best of luck with is! Please do let us know how you get on.
Scope
Tell us what you think?
Complete our feedback form to help us to improve your community.
I have mine on the 7th July and completely understand how you are feeling. I just want it all done and dusted and for there to be the positive outcome I need it to be.
You may only score points for needing prompting in this section as it isnt that you cant actually eat due to your disability (eg feeding tube) or similar
Yes it is ok to say how it makes you feel and dont worry if you get upsety they are used to it and if you want to take a break just ask
Good luck hope it goes well, as for timescales all depends on how busy they are, but after approx 7 days you can ring and request a copy of your report and this will give indication of points scored it isnt a final decision but gives you assessors recommendaed points
I'll be sure to use real examples as you advise, and hopefully they won't mind if this makes me get a bit emotional.
I'll ask for the report when I can too, thank you.
I'm hoping to ring up for the report to be sent to me in a week or so, but I was wondering if I would be able to get my husband to ring on my behalf? I am so scared of talking to people myself.
Fingers, toes, legs, arms & eyes all firmly crossed for you. ♥️