Can we have notes at PIP assessment?

feeky1973

Hi trying to get help for someone who has PIP phone assessment coming up. They have communication anxiety and don't talk to people unless they know and trust them.  So its going to very hard for them to express the details they ned to match the descriptors.    I was thinking to suggest they take notes with them and actually read them out loud. So when the assessor asks  "How do you prepare your food?" They could read out a prepared paragraph.  And do so for each question. Or would that not be allowed?  Its either that or they wont talk or say basic one word answers which could easily be misinterpreted by the assessor as well you didnt answer or you said "yes you eat" so 0 points.  I'm being included in the call but will they take notice if I try to answer or prompt ?  

poppy123456

Yes they can do this, there's nothing preventing them from doing so. Personally, i never find this helpful simply because you just don't know what questions will be asked. Though some find it helpful.

You may not be allowed to answer the questions unless you're their appointee.

Ross_Alumni

Hi @feeky1973

It is absolutely fine to have notes, it can help people feel a bit less anxious knowing that they have given prior thought to what they might say and what they may get asked. 

Did the person you know not consider asking for a paper based assessment?

feeky1973

Thanks   Also If some questions weren't filled in on the original form can we now say we want to give information for that section?  Or wont it count ?

poppy123456

The claimant should always make sure you tell them everything, whether that's on the form or during the assessment. Of course the best time to tell them everything is when filling out the forms.

feeky1973

@Ross_Scope There's a paper assessment?  We didnt know about that    How /when could we have requested that?  Or Is it just that they only use the information on the form ? 

calcotti

feeky1973 said:

@Ross_Scope There's a paper assessment?  We didnt know about that    How /when could we have requested that?  

You can't. It's up to the health assessor to decide if they have enough information to prepare their report based on the paper evidence alone. Mostly they can't.