Frustration with assessment

snoglobe
snoglobe Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
edited April 15 in PIP, DLA, ADP & AA

hi all, new here


had my pip assessment today and feel frustrated and wondering if there is anything I can do in regard to correcting any misunderstandings? I have autism, adhd, ocd, arfid, arthritis and Ehlers danlos syndrome. My application form was very long and comprehensive, as I am best at written correspondence due to autism and auditory processing as well as taking things too literally, and anxiety around authority figures. I made this clear on my forms. I feel like these issues made my assessment today not go so well. Firstly I got a call to say my assessor called in sick so would have to reschedule or have a different person do it 1 hr 30 earlier. I struggle with change and was stressed about a reschedule so agreed to the slightly earlier appointment. The assessor was quite rude, when I tried answering a question and elaborate he told me off and said to just answer what I’ve been asked. That was a bit upsetting so I kept my answers strictly literal to what he was asking from then. He separated mental health issues and physical health issues out and although I said so many times they both affect each other I was only allowed to answer in regard to one or the other depending what one he was asking about which limited my answers and was frustrating. Because of this I feel like I answered some of the physical questions purely based on physical ability and not how my mental health affects my physical ability, although this was all covered in detail in my form. Is it possible to call and clarify? Would they still take the form details into consideration or just take the phone call assessment info only and ignore the form? I was clear I struggle with misunderstandings, authority, and literal thinking so this was always going to happen and I’m so frustrated but didn’t have anyone that could support me on the call


I am expecting to get 0 points across the board purely because of confusion and the way he kept forcing me to answer without elaborating or ability to refer to my MH struggles


thanks for any guidance

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Comments

  • MegaAlone
    MegaAlone Online Community Member Posts: 14 Connected

    Hi. Thank you for sharing your experience. I had my assessment yesterday and I was alone but from what I can remember she told me at the start they have some questions and they have to go through them in order and they would fill it in as they go along and if they interrupt it may be to redirect the conversation to answer something in particular and there might be repeats but that's not from misunderstanding but for filling out their form. They also said it would take 6 to 8 weeks for the decision from DWP. I mentioned at some point of the call that my hearing cuts out and I don't know how to navigate that other than ask again.

    I didn't record the call as I don't think I can do anything with that but it sounded like who I was speaking to was familiar with agoraphobia. I think if the assessor or decision maker is familiar they might still be able to understand your points. Also my call was 1 hour and 40 minutes so we went over by a lot. Your assessor might have written the information in short hand so it's certain that there are misunderstandings.

    Did you record the call?

  • MegaAlone
    MegaAlone Online Community Member Posts: 14 Connected

    I meant to say it's not certain there are misunderstandings. (I am creating misunderstandings of my own with my mistakes).

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 5,260 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @snoglobe. I'm really sorry you're assessor was rude and not understanding, it's bound to make you feel out of sorts. I hope you're feeling a little better today.

    They should review both the paperwork and assessment. It sounds like some of the questions were quite specific, which made it difficult to really justify the impact but it seems like you've done a really good job at getting this information in your original paperwork. Hopefully you hear back soon with a positive outcome but if not, you can request a mandatory reconsideration. Will you let us know how you get on?

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 5,260 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    And thanks @MegaAlone for sharing your experience. When it comes to recording, just keep in mind it needs to be agreed for it to be usable with any third parties in the future.

    I hope you hear back soon with some positive news too.

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