Today’s PIP Telephone Assessment

sol09

So, I’ve just completed the telephone assessment and thought this may help others who may undergo the same thing.

She started off by introducing herself and explained  that the assessment is scheduled for 1 hour. Should more time be required, another telephone assessment will be arranged...

This then followed by a recap of my medical history where I had the chance to explain each of my diagnoses and how each one affects me daily.

Next was Medication. 

Then she went through each of the descriptors. I had my paperwork to hand so it was easier as I forget things. When I get stuck with the correct words, she helped me out by saying things like “so this leads to you feeling anxious?”
(I don’t know if this is a positive thing but I struggle with my memory die to many pain meds)
Talking about my issues is hard as It reinforces how my life has changed. Admitting to ‘I need to be told to shower’ is very hard and I get upset and started to cry... It’s so degrading having to do this... ?

After going through the descriptors, she then asked what my life was like before. Again, i got emotional. I was in the police, neighbourhood policing, so would walk 10 miles a day, socialise, was confident etc. The total opposite of today, this in itself is so hard for me to discuss...

Asked about home situation. Who lives with me, children, pets, layout of home etc.

Asked do i use internet, have hobbies or read etc..

Then explained that she will forward her report to DWP electronically but it could take 8 weeks before a decision is made.

She then finished off with ‘i hope circumstances improve for you’  ‘take care of yourself’ 

It seemed to go okay. However, who knows with these assessments but Ill update as to when I hear back from them! 

Good luck to anyone having a telephone assessment. My advice would be take your time, have a copy of your original application to hand and  give examples of your day to day struggles..

hope this helps but if anyone has any further questions regarding any of it, please just ask ?

Girl_No1

Good advice there, @sol09 about having your application to hand and any additional notes you think will help.

Now, it's just attempting to relax and wait for the outcome - easier said than done as we all know!

I hope your perception of how the assessment went translates into an appropriate award for you.   

rubin16

Hi welcome to the community,

I'm glad your assessment went okay and from the sounds of it you had a nice assessor. If you wait a week and get a text from DWP saying they have your paperwork, you can contact them and request a copy of your report. It'll give you a good idea of what points your receiving and what type of award you may be given.

I hope its good news for you.

sol09

rubinheath16 said:

Hi welcome to the community,

I'm glad your assessment went okay and from the sounds of it you had a nice assessor. If you wait a week and get a text from DWP saying they have your paperwork, you can contact them and request a copy of your report. It'll give you a good idea of what points your receiving and what type of award you may be given.

I hope its good news for you.

That’s great, I wasn’t aware of this so thank you ? 

Karawen

Well done on getting through it @sol09 it sounds as though your assessor was nice.  Fingers crossed for your result and that it doesn't take too long.

I had my telephone assessment last Thursday so am also waiting for the decision too, had a text yesterday that the DWP have received the report so I've requested a copy (make yourself comfy as I was on hold for 50 mins and I've read that others face similar waits).

Good luck ?

Tori_Scope

Thanks for sharing, and for offering your help @sol09 Hearing other people's experiences can be really comforting, so it's much appreciated! Best of luck with your claim. Please let us know how you get on. 

sol09

Karawen said:

Well done on getting through it @sol09 it sounds as though your assessor was nice.  Fingers crossed for your result and that it doesn't take too long.

I had my telephone assessment last Thursday so am also waiting for the decision too, had a text yesterday that the DWP have received the report so I've requested a copy (make yourself comfy as I was on hold for 50 mins and I've read that others face similar waits).

Good luck ?

That was quite quick in them receiving it, not so quick on the phone though ?

Ive read in other forums of people receiving payments in the bank before receiving the actual Award Letter...

Really hope it’s good news for you ?

sol09

Tori_Scope said:

Thanks for sharing, and for offering your help @sol09 Hearing other people's experiences can be really comforting, so it's much appreciated! Best of luck with your claim. Please let us know how you get on. 

I guess the more we can prepare ourselves and especially with other people’s accounts of the assessment, it definitely helps. 

I’ll most certainly keep everyone updated ?

Emilyb81

Hi peep's I was just thinking about this (requesting a copy of the report?) And I didn't I didn't know I could and my decision was here a few days later anyway so I'd of got it afterwards ??? 
Anyhoo I was thinking I don't know if it would of been a good thing for me to get one simply because I am an absolute nightmare when it comes to overthinking things and I obsess over stuff especially negative? So in my situation it was not a good report it suggested I get naff all and in my head said I had nothing wrong with me and could do most things without help or struggle? So had I of received that report and then had to sit with it for say 8 weeks waiting to find out if the decision Maui's going to go with the assessors report I would of tortured myself for 8 weeks? So I personally think I'd be better off not knowing until the decision comes? Because I'd have a month to put some written examples of where I believe I should of got points and why? If I needed to to do MR? anyway probably nothing to do with me but just keep seeing others request their report so they can figure out what award to expect etc but for me it would not help me in fact may do the opposite? That's my input as usual ??? and on that note I will shut my hole ??

hughiemachrins

I was unsure about asking for the report but I have requested it. I hope I will be able to not get too up or down by it and wait for the award or not. However, after reading some of the horror stories on here, I think it would be better to know in advance in case the report is way off.

Emilyb81

Yeah I think everyone is different and handles stuff or situations better than others? I just can imagine me getting myself more worked up than I already have over it all ?? but again everyone is different I have seen getting the report is a big help for others so all's well that ends well ??

Karawen

I think I'm the complete opposite to you @Emilyb81 as I'm a bit of a control freak ?.  

I've requested mine as it helps me feel a bit more in control of the situation, if it's wildly out then yes, I'll be frustrated but I'll start making positive steps to do what I can ready for when the award letter hits the mat so I can do an MR.

I'm one of those "forewarned is forearmed" types that like to read as much as possible about something as it helps me cope better.

I guess it would work for some but not others...

Emilyb81

Yeah I can see why it helps people to feel more in the know but I just can't stop being peed off about the things I disagree with?  Anyway as long as we all do what's best for us that's all that matters because unfortunately not very many people around that will do that for us? Have a fab day peep's ?☀️?

Karawen

Yeah very true!  Have a great day yourself ?

sandyp196

I asked for my report too. Someone told me that you have very little time to prepare for an MR. (A month i think). Dwp go by the date on the letter they send and dont make allowances for delays in the postal system. Im so glad i did ask for the report as i got the decision letter over a christmas period. I ended up with only 13 days to submit an MR. 

calcotti

sandyp196 said:

I asked for my report too. Someone told me that you have very little time to prepare for an MR. (A month i think). Dwp go by the date on the letter they send and dont make allowances for delays in the postal system. 

An MR can be submitted for up to three months after the decision date although it is supposed to be within a month. If DWP refuse it because it's over a month there are full appeal rights to tribunal service.

calcotti

Username_removed said:

Do we mean thirteen months rather than three?

I do indeed - thanks, Mike.

sol09

Hey everyone!

So I’ve received a Text from DWP informing me that they have now received my assessment. Surprised how quickly this was as I had my assessment on the 07/07 and report received 09/07... ?

Can I request the copy now or do I need to wait? 

Thanks all ???

charlotte84

Wow that was really quick @sol09 I had my telephone assessment yesterday, do you mind me asking if your in England or Wales because I no different parts of the country use different companies like capita or atos. Only asking because I’m wondering what my time scale will be xx

sol09

charlotte84 said:

Wow that was really quick @sol09 I had my telephone assessment yesterday, do you mind me asking if your in England or Wales because I no different parts of the country use different companies like capita or atos. Only asking because I’m wondering what my time scale will be xx

Hey Charlotte,

No problem at all. I’m in Wales!

Hope your assessment went well, I’m just so glad it’s over with ?

charlotte84

Aww fab me to Thankyou for your reply hun x