Review

Pin

Hi all

I know you can't tell me what the assessor will say but I'm just so panicked about my review.

I had a telephone assessment last week and it was really awful. Being asked about feeling suicidal in front of my mum was horrible and quite unexpected. 

I've got a few conditions that aren't going anywhere and a lot of medical uncertainty just now. It just feels cruel to have this hanging over me.

My first application was fine, the assessor was lovely and I felt at ease. Being on the phone was just so much more stressful and I feel like I didn't explain myself well.

How quickly can I call for the report? Is it a week you need to wait? My friend was told her recommendations on the phone so I'm wondering if they'll tell me.

Ultimately I have far more concerning things in my life right now (ongoing issues with previous cancer), but this just feels like another thing to worry about.

janer1967

Hi there 

Sorry to hear your assessment was stressful and about your ongoing issues 

Yes you can request the report after approx 7 working days,  I've not heard of them telling you recommendations over phone so your friend was lucky 

Let us know how you get on 

Ross_Alumni

Hello @pin 

I'm sorry to read that you had a poor experience during your assessment, it seems to have upset you quite a bit. It can be hard to talk about sensitive issues such as the ones you reference there, especially when you are caught unexpectedly by the question.

In your post you referred to being asked about feeling suicidal, I'm just wondering how you are at the minute? Do you receive support to manage your mental health?

Pin

Thanks for the concern Ross, I'm not "actively" suicidal and I've got support for everything that's going on. 

I wish I had realised id be asked as I'd have been happier talking about it with my mum beforehand rather than being caught so off guard. My first assessment didn't focus much on mental health and I assumed this would be the same - I think the rules have changed a bit though since then.

I forgot how traumatising (for want of a better word) these assessments are. I spend my life focusing on what I can do, it's like a punch in the gut to have to look at it all so negatively.

Thanks Jane, I'll hold off for now. 8-10 weeks is a long time to wait for the decision. 

calcotti

Pin said: I forgot how traumatising (for want of a better word) these assessments are. I spend my life focusing on what I can do, it's like a punch in the gut to have to look at it all so negatively.

I agree. "Could be worse, mustn't grumble" is (within reason) a good strategy for getting through life but not for dealing with benefits claim!

Pin

Absolutely @calcotti - that's the mentality that gets me up in the morning!

Cher_Alumni

@Pin I can understand how disconcerting it must have been to have faced such questions    I'm glad to hear you're receiving support though and we send all our luck for the PIP outcome and your ongoing physical health issues.  We are always only a message away if you need us.

Tori_Scope

Hey @Pin We just wanted to check-in to see how you were getting on?