I've had my assessment

solly1902

Hello I've had my assessment and I've got to say my anxiety levels were at their peak. I just wanted to know what am I supposed to do because I was told that decision can take upto 8 weeks, but I read somewhere that I can request for a copy of the assessment outcome before the 8 weeks period. 

MarkM88

A decision can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 12 weeks, this will vary from area to area and the workload of the decision maker you are allocated to. 

Once you receive a text to say DWP have received your report or about a week after the assessment you are able to request a copy of the report. 

This is not a decision though and is the assessors recommendation, you will still need to wait for the actual decision. 

Sometimes requesting the report can further intensify your anxiety so it might not be in your best interests to request this. 

solly1902

Username_removed said:

You can but it will likely do nothing positive for your anxiety if, for example, it shows a recommendation of no award.

Thank you so much ill just wait for the outcome from dwp 

solly1902

MarkM88 said:

A decision can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 12 weeks, this will vary from area to area and the workload of the decision maker you are allocated to. 

Once you receive a text to say DWP have received your report or about a week after the assessment you are able to request a copy of the report. 

This is not a decision though and is the assessors recommendation, you will still need to wait for the actual decision. 

Sometimes requesting the report can further intensify your anxiety so it might not be in your best interests to request this. 

Thank you i think you're right ill leave it as it is.

solly1902

Libby_Scope said:

Hey @solly1902, 

Thank you for your post today and for telling us about your assessment experiences.

I'm sorry to hear that the assessment made you feel anxious, sometimes it can be really challenging waiting on decisions/outcomes that are completely out of our own control. But a huge well done for completing the assessment - as I know that must have been difficult when experiencing anxiety. Do you currently feel supported with your mental health? Do you have contact with your GP about it?

If you have any further questions, then please don't hesitate to get in touch with us, here at Scope. 

Take care now and speak soon.

Libby

It actually was and still is as I'm awaiting the outcome of the assessment. I have contacted my gp and also have a local mental health team involved. 

solly1902

Libby_Scope said:

Good morning @solly1902, 

I just wanted to check in to see how you're getting on with things?

I know you were having a challenging time with regards to your anxiety and PIP assessment, so wondered if you had heard anything or gained further support for this, from either your GP/mental health team?

Please remember, that we are always here for you and if you get a chance, I think it would be really beneficial to read some of the resources that I posted above. If you have any other questions, then just let us know.

Take care now and I hope to speak to you soon.

Libby

Hello I have got an updated that dwp have received my pip file and they can take upto 8 weeks for reaching a decision. But anxiety is really high because I remembered when assessor asked me if I work I told her I do work 7 days but I forgot to tell her that I work 3 hours a day and sometimes dont work at all which is the truth. Now I'm paranoid thinking what if they say hes capable of working 7 days. I am taking medication and awaiting mental health appointment 

poppy123456

solly1902 said:

Libby_Scope said:

Good morning @solly1902, 

I just wanted to check in to see how you're getting on with things?

I know you were having a challenging time with regards to your anxiety and PIP assessment, so wondered if you had heard anything or gained further support for this, from either your GP/mental health team?

Please remember, that we are always here for you and if you get a chance, I think it would be really beneficial to read some of the resources that I posted above. If you have any other questions, then just let us know.

Take care now and I hope to speak to you soon.

Libby

Hello I have got an updated that dwp have received my pip file and they can take upto 8 weeks for reaching a decision. But anxiety is really high because I remembered when assessor asked me if I work I told her I do work 7 days but I forgot to tell her that I work 3 hours a day and sometimes dont work at all which is the truth. Now I'm paranoid thinking what if they say hes capable of working 7 days. I am taking medication and awaiting mental health appointment 

PIP isn't about being unable to work, people claim PIP and work. However, if the work you do contradicts the reasons why you're claiming PIP then it can go against you.

At this stage, it's impossible to predict anything. Decision's are currently taking between 2-12 weeks because of the huge backlogs in a lot of areas.

solly1902

I just got my report and it shocked me According to the assessor in her observation I don't have opd or anxiety and I was calm and friendly throughout the assessment. I've got reports from gp and mental health team aswell as a psychologist stating I have opd and anxiety. 

poppy123456

This is one of the reasons why requesting the report isn’t always a good idea. The report is not the decision letter. It’s a recommendation based on the assessors opinion on everything you sent and what you said during the assessment. 

Before a decision is made the decision maker should look at everything you sent and the report then make a decision. Decisions are currently taking between 2-12 weeks.
letters about diagnosis isn’t the best evidence to send because a diagnosis isn’t usually in question. 

Alex_Alumni

Hello @solly1902 remember the report is not the final outcome of your claim, the only person who can make that decision is the decision maker. 

Do you have any strategies to help manage your anxiety while you wait for the decision letter? I know it's not easy, but try and put the report to the back of your mind, even hide it from yourself if it helps. 

Remember, whatever the outcome of your claim, we'll be here to support you, and advise you on next steps if they are needed. 

solly1902

my anxiety is not as bad as i thought itll be. just fully read the report with my wife and found alot of mistakes. shes wrote in the report that i do not complete cooking , but in the descriptors it says  i can cook simple food which i cant. I guess i will have to see what is the outcome. there are also some things i didnt say which have been added on. if i have to do a mr can i mention all that in there? 

poppy123456

The assessment is not for them to write what you said verbatim. It’s for them to gather more evidence to support your claim and to form an opinion based on everything you sent and what you said during the assessment. 

If the worst happens and you’re refused the best thing you can do is put the report to one side and forget about it because that’s not going to get you a PIP award.