UC and Pip assessments - any tips?

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sarah72
sarah72 Online Community Member Posts: 25 Listener
edited February 2022 in PIP, DLA, ADP and AA
Hello, my name is Sarah, I have read a lot of stories from different people on here and found it really helpful, even the bad ones. 

I am in need of some advice because my Work capability telephone assessment is on the 8th of February 2022 and my PIP telephone assessment is 7 days after, the 15th of February 2022.

I understand that they are separate benefits and have different criteria. I am feeling anxious and worried, if anybody can advice about telephone assessment process and tips I would be very grateful.

Thank You
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Comments

  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,468 Championing
    Welcome to the community @sarah72 :) Thanks for joining. I'm glad that reading through discussions on the community has been helpful to you, and it's good to see you post something of your own!

    I'm sure our members will leave some tips for getting through the assessments on your thread, but here are a few to get you started.

    Smaller things like making sure your phone is fully charged, and that you have a drink of water and a snack near you if needed, are important so that you feel as comfortable as you can be going into the call. 

    If it'd help you to feel less anxious, you can also have someone in the room with you during the call for moral support. 

    Did you keep a copy of your form? Some people find it helpful to read back through what they've written, to refresh themselves on what they've said and the evidence they've given.

    Remember that you can always ask the assessor to repeat themselves if needed, and that you can take your time with answering the questions. If you need to take a second to take a breath or have a think, that's completely fine. They should be polite and respectful towards you.
  • sarah72
    sarah72 Online Community Member Posts: 25 Listener
    Thank you very much for your reply. I only have a copy of my PIP form, but the answers and questions are almost the same as on WCA form so I think I can use my PIP form to answer if the questions are related. 
  • sarah72
    sarah72 Online Community Member Posts: 25 Listener
    edited February 2022
    WCA tomorrow, very nervous. Will update once I receive decision.
  • MissMarple
    MissMarple Online Community Member Posts: 189 Empowering
    Good luck with your assessment Sarah. Hope it goes well. Both my assessors for PIP and ESA were very friendly and helpful. 
  • sarah72
    sarah72 Online Community Member Posts: 25 Listener
    Thank you very much, I’m glad yours went well. I’m trying not to stress over it but it’s difficult. Thank you once again :-) 
  • sarah72
    sarah72 Online Community Member Posts: 25 Listener
    Thank you @Teddybear12
  • sarah72
    sarah72 Online Community Member Posts: 25 Listener
    Just had my telephone WCA which lasted only 17 minutes. The lady was very nice and made me feel very relaxed and comfortable. I will updated once I get the decision. Any idea of how long decisions are taking at the moment? Thank you for all support.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Some people have decision's very quick when claiming UC (within a week) and others can wait several weeks. Once it's been made the letter will be uploaded onto your journal.
  • sarah72
    sarah72 Online Community Member Posts: 25 Listener
    Thank you @poppy123456
  • sarah72
    sarah72 Online Community Member Posts: 25 Listener
    Just had my PIP telephone assessment. The lady on the phone seemed nice. A lot of questions were repeated throughout the call, I’ve asked when I can get a copy of the report and have been advised that I will get this in around 6 weeks time. I will update once decision received.
  • sarah72
    sarah72 Online Community Member Posts: 25 Listener
    Hello, I’ve received a text this morning (day after my telephone PIP assessment which was yesterday) from DWP saying “We've received the written report of your PIP assessment. We will write to you once we've made a decision on your PIP.”  Can somebody clarify this for me please? This is my first time claiming PIP and I’m not sure exactly how it work. 

    Thank you
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Once the assessment is complete the assessor will write a report based on their opinion of everything you sent and what you said during the assessment. 
    Before a decision is made the decision maker will look at everything you sent and the report and then make their decision. Once it’s made you will receive a letter in the post. 
    If successfully awarded payment is usually received before the decision letter.
    Decisions can take between 2-12 weeks.
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    Hi there 

    Those is normal process the report is written while yoy are being assessed and then sent yo dwp same or next day 

    It will not take around 2 to 12 weeks for a decision 

    You can now request a copy of the report but not always advisable as the report is only recommendations and 1 part of the process 

    It isn't the decision and can cause more stress if its not what you expect 
  • sarah72
    sarah72 Online Community Member Posts: 25 Listener
    edited February 2022
    Ok thank you. 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    You can but it’s not the best idea and can only cause even more anxiety than you may already be experiencing, especially if it’s not what you expected. 
    It’s not the decision just a recommendation based on their opinion. 
  • sarah72
    sarah72 Online Community Member Posts: 25 Listener
    Thank you.
  • sarah72
    sarah72 Online Community Member Posts: 25 Listener
    edited February 2022
    Hello, 

    I have received a copy of the assessment on 22/02/2022. From comparing the points recommended, it said standard daily 8 points and only 4 points which is 0 for mobility. 

    Today I’ve received a call from my doctor regarding the x ray of my ankle, and have been told that I have a benign tumour. 

    I’ve called PIP to update them of this and before the agent answered the call, an automated system message stated that i will be receiving a payment from PIP on 24/03/2022.

    When the agent answered, I have asked about this, and she has advised that a decision has been made on the 24/02/2022 and that I’ve been awarded standard rate for both daily living and mobility component. 

    I have also mentioned the new health condition. I will wait to see what treatment the doctor will recommended after the hospital appointment and will go from there, but overall I am happy with the decision.

    Good luck to all!
  • sarah72
    sarah72 Online Community Member Posts: 25 Listener
    @Teddybear12 Thank you very much :-)
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    sarah72 said: I have also mentioned the new health condition. 
    For future reference please note that you do not need to tell Pip about every change to your diagnosis or treatment or medication. Indeed, if you do tell them they may take this as a change of circumstances requiring a new assessment and you will have to go through the whole process again.

    You only need tell them if there are changes to difficulties you have doing the prescribed activities to the required standard and as a result outhouse changes your point score could change sufficiently to result in a different level PIP award. 
  • sarah72
    sarah72 Online Community Member Posts: 25 Listener
    edited February 2022
    @calcotti thank you for the advice. I have been given exact same advice by the agent. I have also been told if I need to stay in hospital overnight that I must inform them. I am just waiting for the hospital letter to come through and the plan of treatment from my doctor.

    Thank you once again for all support and advice. 

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