PIP review awful, really need advice

harrybear1

I had my PIP review recently and it was the most awful experience. I'd got myself in to such a state before it and it was worse than I expected. I cried a lot. Several times I had to tell the assessor they weren't listening to me, they spoke over me, they didn't understand my conditions and even though I sent a letter from my psychologist with all my sessions they kept pressing me for dates that I couldn't remember and I kept saying it was in the letter which just got me more upset. But a couple of things have really worried me since as I dont think they got what I was saying.

First, I have OCD and do counting rituals in groups of four but she kept mentioning groups of three and asking when I would do them. I cant cope with odd numbers and that was really triggering for me. I started panicking thinking if I had done one of my rituals wrong, had I caused something bad to happen. I'm still really upset about it. She had no clue about OCD in that it's much more than cleaning for me, it's intrusive thoughts, it's about trying to stop horrible things happening to people I care about. She also asked stuff that has given me really bad flashbacks, so I started blocking and I'm not sure I understood what she was asking after that.

Second I was trying to explain the assistance I need washing. I have a handrail and a seat over the bath (fitted by council occupational therapy) that I sit on and swing my legs over so I can sit in the shower but I cant get into the bath. My shower is over my bath and if I had a bath my daughter would help me step over and help me sit down in the bath. The assessor seemed to not understand what I was talking about when I said the shower was over the bath and would need the aid for the getting in the shower but my daughter if I had a bath. It's two different ways. 

Third I've been having problems with my hip and I've been really sore and numb after sitting or lying down so I've been using a stick to support me stand and walk to the toilet or whatever because it takes about 20 minutes to loosen. It's still painful with tingling but not as bad as right after resting. But she just didn't let me finish explaining and said "so you walk with a stick" which is partially true. I've started physio for it and asked if she wanted my physio's details and she said no.

I got myself in such a state about things, that they think I'm lying or something that when I got the text about the report I phoned to tell the DWP what happened and the guy I spoke to didn't seem that interested. He just said not to worry as the report isnt all they go on but he'd send me a copy. But I am worried. I'm not a bad person, I'm just really really struggling to cope and he didn't say what to do after that. 

So what do I do if things are wrong in the report, should I ask for another assessment? Should I send them a letter just now? She just picked up so much wrong. She kept speaking about me taking early retirement but I didn't I was medically retired. Early retirement makes it sound like I chose to stop working. It just felt like she was talking about someone else not me. Like she had skimmed through what I'd sent formed an opinion regardless. Sorry for the ramble.

chiarieds

Hi @harrybear1 - & welcome to the community. Please try not to worry about your assessment/review; things are not always as bad as they seem.......some people think their assessment went badly, but that's certainly not always the case.

Unfortunately 'inaccuracies' are commonly found in the assessor's report, but what you've said in your claim form can count for more. If needed, & you'll have to wait for your decision letter, you can appeal by asking for a Mandatory Reconsideration; you can't ask for another assessment.

I'm sure you're a good person, & I'm so sorry the assessment has affected you so badly. Wait for your decision letter, & let us all know how it goes. Everyone here will understand, & be supportive throughout your PIP journey.

harrybear1

@chiarieds thank you for being so kind. I'm a bit overwhelmed at the moment. I just feel I haven't explained myself properly, that her and I were talking about something different at times. I get into such a panic I dont listen properly. My first PIP assessment was fine, the lady was so nice and she totally understood what I was saying. This was awful from the start. My husband died and I've not been coping so I know that sometimes my perceptions are on the gloomy side. I just want to hide away from the world.

poppy123456

A lot of people find the assessment extremely difficult because of the questions they are asked. It's perfectly normal to feel the way you do.

I think it's impossible to speculate anything at the moment because you'll continue to second guess yourself.

If you are feeling this way then the last thing you should do is request a copy of the assessment report because it very often causes even more anxiety. Before the decision is made the decision maker will look at all your evidence, including the report and then make a decision.

Once that decision is made, if you're not happy you can request the Mandatory Reconsideration. (MR)

harrybear1

@poppy123456 thank you Yes, you're right. I'd just pick it apart and obsess over it. I've just got myself into such a state about them thinking I'm lying to them because I dont deal with talking to people very well and not remembering stuff. I had been hoping that because I'm Scottish I would have been put over to the new Scottish benefit and had a review through their system based on my doctors reports because I'm so rubbish at dealing with people. I'll just wait on the decision and see what it says. I've phoned the mental health team tonight and they've been a great support and given me some breathing exercises and mindfulness to do and help me.

Alex_Alumni

I'm glad to hear your mental health team can support you @harrybear1, if in the meantime anything comes up that you think we could help with, please do let us know

Alex

LeeAlex

you can do a pip mock test online for free. i strongly advise you do this,it educates you how the point system works.
google search PIP mock test.to process the results you have to submitt your email.dont worry it doesnt effect your claim ive done over 100 pip and esa mock tests.

poppy123456

LeeAlex said:

you can do a pip mock test online for free. i strongly advise you do this,it educates you how the point system works.
google search PIP mock test.to process the results you have to submitt your email.dont worry it doesnt effect your claim ive done over 100 pip and esa mock tests.

It's a PIP self test. I disagree with your advice about educates others with how the point system works. It's very very misleading and even more so if you don't fully understand the descritptors and most people don't. It's very easy to underscore and even overscore yourself. Not very reliable test at all and i wouldn't recommend it.

calcotti

To understand the PIP system you need to read
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria