Worried about my assesment

ADHDnMe
ADHDnMe Community Member Posts: 7 Listener
in PIP, DLA, ADP & AA

Hi all,

I have recently been diagnosed with ADHD in the last year, I'm a 28 male so this has been a long long wait for something I knew already.

I'm needing a bit of reassurance/ even advice for this. I applied for pip and have my assessment coming up. Firstly I forgot to provide my evidence like an idiot. When I asked my doctor a few days ago to help with a report, it was very brushed off and ignored. I don't receive any treatment currently as the ADHD clinic (careadhd) have been going through changes and its a long long wait for anything right now.

Secondly, my anxiety is going through the roof. I have prepared notes with the help of my mum with examples of things. Will the assessor get shirty if I use them? I'm worried that this will disprove my forgetfulness when it's literally just a couple of bullet point reminders. I'm struggling so badly and it's spiralled me, I don't think I'll be able to stress how much my condition affects me day to day.

If I get refused, I know I can get MR but the thought of it getting that far and even going to a tribunal is horrible. I should've called to ask the call to be recorded but it's on Monday so too late.

Sorry for the long post, I'm just looking for a bit of guidance and to put my mind at ease. Thank you.

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Comments

  • Lauren29
    Lauren29 Community Member Posts: 254 Empowering

    I have found that quite a lot of people do make notes to help them during the assessment this is perfectly acceptable. I would tell the assessor when you are referring to the notes and why. You could say that you are forgetful and become anxious so have written some notes to help you. You usually do need to give a day's notice to have the assessment recorded but you could ask on the day. however they may say no.

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 8,614 Online Community Team

    Is your call today @ADHDnMe? Good luck if it is! As others have said, it's totally acceptable to keep notes with you for your assessment. Lauren's advice sounds like a good idea, then you can make them aware that this is something that affects you. You can tell them that your mum helped you prepare the notes too. Will she be with you for the call?

    I know it's really difficult, but try not to think about what happens next if you can. We're here to help if you need any advice or need to challenge the result. But hopefully it won't come to that and you'll get the result you're hoping for. Best of luck!

  • ADHDnMe
    ADHDnMe Community Member Posts: 7 Listener
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1095852#Comment_1095852

    Hi there, I'm sorry i forgot to respond to this!

    Yeah i had the call and things went okay. I told her I had notes, she was fine with it. Ended up having a panic attack when the call was ended. It was odd, I had it in my head they would go "Okay, eating and drinking" then go down the line of questions that were in my form but she was all over the place which threw me off a lot. But it's over now, thank you for the responses! If there's any update, I'll come comment again

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 8,614 Online Community Team

    Glad it went okay @ADHDnMe, but sorry to hear you had a panic attack afterwards. That's never nice! Hope you've had some time to chill out and relax now that it's over. Fingers crossed for a good result ☺️

  • ADHDnMe
    ADHDnMe Community Member Posts: 7 Listener

    Smallest update, I got a text saying DWP have received my report. I called and asked for it, should be here within 10 days. Here's hoping πŸ˜…

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 5,786 Online Community Team

    @ADHDnMe Yay! Hopefully it gets to you asap 😁

  • Mary_Scope
    Mary_Scope Posts: 4,888 Scope Online Community Children and Family Specialists

    Thank you for the update @ADHDnMe! Hopefully it won't take too long now😊

  • ADHDnMe
    ADHDnMe Community Member Posts: 7 Listener

    Update!

    Got 0s for everything besides engaging with other people (2). I feel embarrassed and deflated as anything.

    I've written a compelling letter outlining everything and the struggles I face. Sending it off soon.

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 8,614 Online Community Team

    Sorry to hear it wasn't what you were hoping for @ADHDnMe. It's horrible having to face rejection from things like this when it's so personal to you. As Emilee says, if you can provide lots of real world examples of how the descriptors apply to you, that can be helpful.

    I hope you get a better result at the appeal, keep us posted!

  • ADHDnMe
    ADHDnMe Community Member Posts: 7 Listener

    I got awarded standard rate after MR

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 3,844 Online Community Team

    I'm so glad you were awarded in the end @ADHDnMe. I bet it's such a relief.

  • ADHDnMe
    ADHDnMe Community Member Posts: 7 Listener

    Sorry my brain isn't with it today!

    I haven't received the report yet. I'm kinda confused as to why I didn't get any motobility as I always have to have someone with me as I get really bad anxiety going out. I'll read the report when it comes in to see what they say about it. But thank you everyone

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 3,844 Online Community Team

    That's a good idea to read the report and then you can decide whether you want to go to tribunal to try and get the mobility component. Just in case you're not already aware, if you take it to tribunal, your award could be stopped or reduced. There's some more information here https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/challenging-pip-or-other-benefits-decisions#Tribunal-appeal-click

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