Not feeling positive about my PIP telephone assessment.

buildupbuttercup

Was very unprepared as I had one day's notice for when my assessment would be. This already put me on edge as plans changing make my anxiety very bad. I answered the phone and tried to remember my answers to questions as I didn't have any of them in front of me as I forgot to copy them before sending them off. I tried to give additional info about questions but the assessor would cut me off after 10 seconds saying that she wanted short answers as otherwise the process would take too long. 

I tried to remember as best I could but some of her questions caught me off guard and I got confused about some of my examples, giving an answer, becoming unsure, and then having to say actually I don't remember. She said it was okay if I don't know the answer to questions but I'm worried it could be used against me, and if I mistakenly gave slightly different answers on my form, or got some details mixed up, that this could be used against me. I did make it clear in my form and on the phone that my memory becomes very bad when I am anxious, but I'm worried she wouldn't have made that clear in the notes she took. 

So I'm aware that the telephone assessor is not the person who makes the final decision - will the final decision be made on the info collated in the telephone assessment or will it be made on all the info I have given as well as the telephone assessment? 

The assessment lasted for 1 hr 40 minutes.

Thanks.

buildupbuttercup

I have taken the PIP self test and according to that I should score double the points needed to get the advanced living rate and maybe the standard mobility rate. I got LCWRA quite easily. Does this mean I should get PIP or can a bad telephone assessment go that wrong that I might get nothing? Very worried. 

Emilyb81

Just wanted to say I had several months to prepare for my phone assessment and if anything for me that made me worse? More anxious? Because I had lots of time to do my favourite things like overthink and work myself up lol I don't actually know what would be worse? Getting lots of  advance notice or having less time to get used to it? Just reading your post made me think about that as it never occurred to me before? Anyhoo sorry I know that doesn't help you at all but just responded because twas in my head!
One more thing... On my decision letter the lady said she used the report from the assessment and the other information available to her to make the decision? Unfortunately I wasn't ever asked to fill in any forms etc before the actual phone call so they didn't have any there for me (hence the fact I got turned down?!) so I believe they use all of the info the assessment report and the forms you filled in too? But there are lots of people on here who have much better knowledge and experience than me so I'm sure you will find out soon? ?? Take care and stay safe hun!
Please try not to make yourself unwell about it like I did even if you don't get the answer you need there is still hope with the mandatory reconsideration and appeal process and even though it seems pointless and exhausting the right decision will be made eventually? Just keep pushing forward! ?
I really hope you get the help you need! Take care and stay safe! ? 

janer1967

Hi there and welcome on board 

The decision will be based on all the evidence sent and the assessment 

Doing the self test isn't always best ad you look at it in diffetent way with only your view 

Getting lcwra doesn't mean you will get pip they ard different benefits with different criteria 

Lcwra looks at ability to function in the workplace and pip is about your ability to do daily activities 

All you can do is wait for decision