Phone assessment tomorrow

lou51
lou51 Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
edited March 2022 in PIP, DLA, ADP & AA
Right now I'm in bits just counting down to my appointment in the morning. Fortunately it's at 9am so not waiting all day for it. 
I think I'm prepared, I've written some notes of what I want to say.

Reading through them though I'm doubting myself and thinking I just sound pathetic and useless and the assessor will just think I'm lazy because of the things I struggle with. 

I know it's my anxiety getting the better of me, right now I'm laid in my bed paralysed with worry and the fear of tomorrow. I just wish it was over with.

Thanks for listening, I just needed to ramble about it I think.

Comments

  • janer1967
    janer1967 Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    Try not to get worked up about it the majority of assessors are really kind and supportive and should put you at ease 

    They do this all the time and are used to people being anxious 

    They won't think your lazy and certainly shouldn't give that impression 

    Good luck let us know how it goes and just think by this time tomorrow it will be done 
  • lou51
    lou51 Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
    Yes you're both right, thanks for trying to calm me. Anxiety is my main health problem along with difficulty hearing. I'm stressing also at having to ask her to keep repeating herself, that always makes me feel stupid.
    I will have my mum with me though so I know she will be my ears if I'm struggling.
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    Glad your mum will be there to support you 

    Have a rest , read a book or watch some TV take your mind off it 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community Member Posts: 64,456 Championing
    Make sure your phone is fully charged if you're using a mobile. Have a drink next to you incase it's needed. If you don't understand the questions ask then ask them to repeat it.
    Try not to answer with just a yes or no and give as much detail as possible.
    They may not ring exactly on time so be aware of that also. Assessment time can be anything from 20-120 minutes.
  • lou51
    lou51 Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
    Thank you Libby yes I'm trying to relax, going to put some soothing music on and try and do some crochet tonight. That should make me sleepy then I can get an early night.
    I'll update how it went tomorrow, thanks again.
  • lou51
    lou51 Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
    Thank you @poppy123456, that's good advice. Keeping my fingers crossed it's not as long as 120 minutes.
  • lou51
    lou51 Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
    Thanks @Libby_Scope I will have to dig out some photos.

    Well the assessment is done! I'm feeling like it didn't go well but I shall of course await the outcome.

    I felt a little rushed in my answers and don't think I got across what I needed to say.

    Also I could sense a bit of impatience when I couldn't hear clearly and had to keep asking her to repeat, although to be fair that could just be my paranoia.

    The assessment lasted for 1 hour but at least it's over now.

    I need to sleep now as I didn't get much last night.

    Thanks all for your advice and encouragement. Take care 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community Member Posts: 64,456 Championing
    People often think it didn’t go well because it’s easy to over think things. The majority of people claim PIP successfully with no Problems.
    At the moment it’s impossible to predict anything.
    Decision waiting times are between 2-12 weeks.
  • lou51
    lou51 Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
    Thanks @poppy123456. 

    Yes I now need to put it to the back of my mind, at least the assessment it over and I no longer have to dread it. 

    The assessor said around 6 -8 weeks for decision so I shall try to be patient in my waiting.
  • lou51
    lou51 Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
    Thank you @Libby_Scope

    I've had a bit of a sleep, just having a brew then back to bed for me. This morning has really taken it out of me.

    Had a text about hour ago from DWP saying they now have my report and decision be up to 8 weeks.

    I'm now debating with myself whether to request the report so that I'll have a basic idea which way the decision will go. 

    Rock and hard place springs to mind as my anxiety and mental health will take a turn whether I get the report now or not but at least if I have it and it's not looking good, I can begin preparing for mandatory reconsideration.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community Member Posts: 64,456 Championing
    Requesting the report affects a lot of people in a lot of ways and anxiety being the biggest issue. Even if you don't usually suffer with anxiety it can affect you. Especially if it's not what you were expecting. We have a lot of threads here with members being very upset and full of anxiety because of the report they received.
    If the worst happens, you don't need the report to request the MR.
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,471 Championing
    How are you feeling today @lou51? Did you manage to get some sleep? I hope that you feel able to relax a bit more now :)
  • LOwens
    LOwens Community Member Posts: 6 Listener
    Lou51 please keep us informed I did my phone assessment on Friday 11th and just like you I got so overwhelmed with anxiety i also felt that I haven’t said or done enough. I’m still yet to receive the text message to say they have received the report off of the assessor I really hate the waiting game also doing nothing for my anxiety and I do think that it has also impacted my physical health as ive not been well the last few days 😓. Hope your ok and please keep us informed on your journey sending you lots of positive thoughts xxx 
  • lou51
    lou51 Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
    Hi everyone, I'm sorry I haven't been online for a while. I've been really struggling. I think today I'm feeling a little stronger so hopefully I'm getting to a better place in my head. I'm really grateful for all your kind words and for checking on me. I will of course let you know when I have some news. I'll be glad when I know what's what x
  • lou51
    lou51 Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
    Got my decision letter today. Not good news. Only 4 pts on daily living and 0 on mobility. I know I have to fight it but at the moment I just feel broken.
    DWP have made me feel like a useless, worthless lying waste of space.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community Member Posts: 64,456 Championing
    When you request the MR you should put this in writing stating where any why you think you should have scored those points.
    When you filled out the form did you put a couple of real world incidents of what happened the last time you attempted that activity for each descriptor that applies to you?If you didn't then you should do this for the MR. Include information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the conseqences were.
    You may also want to get some expert advice to check if you can score enough points needed for an award. Start here. https://advicelocal.uk/

  • janer1967
    janer1967 Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    Hi 

    Sorry about your PIP decision I know it's not easy but try and not 5ake it personally you are not useless or a liar 

    Take a few days to gather your thoughts before you start the mr so you are doing your best job with it and not taking out your frustration 

    Good luck 
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,471 Championing
    I'm sorry to hear it wasn't the result you were hoping for @lou51. As the others have said, you're not any of those things. How are you feeling today, now you've had some more time to process it? 
  • lou51
    lou51 Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
    Hi all. I'm ok. I'm writing a letter for mandatory reconsideration this week. Well I'm supposed to be but I'm struggling to face it all. Can't get appointment with citizens advice in time but that doesn't really matter because to be honest I don't think I could cope going through it all with a stranger.
    I'll possibly just give up as I know it will make my mental health worse as it did when I had to fight to keep my ESA. I can't go through that again I don't feel strong enough.
    I'd like to thank you all though for the support you've shown me x
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,535 Championing
    Hi @lou51 I can completely understand why you're struggling, it's a very draining process mentally, it takes a lot of energy. I'm sorry to hear your application wasn't what you were hoping for too.

    You've mentioned not being able to go through it all with a stranger, but is there anyone you know who could help go through it with you? 

    Do you feel you have enough support for your mental health at the moment? Something like this can have a big impact, so if you want to talk about it all, I'd encourage you to chat with a friend, your GP, or whoever you feel comfortable with.

    If you'd just like someone to listen, Samaritans can talk right now, you can call them on 116 123. They can help untangle any stresses and worries, so that you feel more like yourself. They aren't just for a crisis, and they don't judge you either.

    We'll be here to support you whatever you decide, but I wanted to share this information from Citizens Advice as well: 

    If you've missed the 1 month deadline

    It's still worth asking for a mandatory reconsideration, as long as it's within 13 months of the decision.

    You'll need to explain your reasons for being late - for example if being ill or dealing with difficult personal circumstances meant you couldn't apply in time. Use your form or letter to explain why your application is late, as well as why you disagree with their decision.

    The DWP can refuse your application if it's late, but as long as you applied within 13 months of the date on your decision letter you can still appeal their decision at a tribunal.

    Let me know if you feel we can support you further, and keep us updated as and when you can :)

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