PIP assessment

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NatzH83
NatzH83 Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
in PIP, DLA, ADP and AA
Hi all. i have a phone assessment in just under 2 weeks. it will be a telephone appointment. i am so incredibly stressed about it. if anyone would be able to guide me and or answer a few questions that would be fantastic.

So i am physically disabled due to a autoimmune disease in my spine and another form of Arthritis, also in my spine. On top of those i have Fibromyalgia and many other conditions. It seems i am a little greedy with Chronic pain conditions! I can't walk very far, use walking aids and use a wheelchair when i go out. I also have a whole host of Mental Health conditions.

I am currently receiving full PIP. I sent my review forms back in January but have only just reached the top of the list for the assessment. I have never had a assessment over the phone before. I am glad it is but as its unknown territory, i am struggling with it.

Over the years i have had to fight tooth and nail to keep my PIP and after almost every assessment i have been declined the mobility side of it. So i always have to put the mandatory reconsideration thing into play, I have even completely lost the mobility side of my claim as "I didn't look like i was in enough pain" so just because i hide the pain on my face as its a natural response due to having two autistic children who are more in tune with what's going on in my body than i am.

So in the past i have lost the side of PIP I need the most. Without that side i would be housebound as i can not get on any form of public transport due to my mental health. this also means my kids become house bound as they have their own conditions and also can't do public transport. I know that isn't considered in the assessment, I am just trying to explain how things are. I can not afford to buy a car let alone the upkeep and maintenance that also come with a car. 

Does anyone have any advice please?

I am worried this maybe another attempt to get rid of me. 
I understand the in person apps that are either at home or via video call as they can see you and assess how much people struggle. With phone apps they cant and that is why i'm so worried. It may just be my paranoia tho. So if anyone knows why telephone assessment are now a thing that would be amazing.

Thank you and sorry its so long.

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    When you filled out the form, i hope you treated it as a new claim and gave as much relevant information as possible, even if there were no changes. The most important part of any PIP claim is the actual form itself.

    The reason for this is because during the assessment there's just never enough of time to go through everything. It's just for them to gather more evidence to support your claim and to fill in the "gaps" so to speak.

    I can't tell you exactly what questions they will ask because i don't know how your conditions affect you. Though one of my conditions is fibro but we are all affected very differently by those conditions and you don't get 2 people the same. PIP isn't awarded based on a diagnosis.

    Please make sure you don't answer any questions with just a yes or no because this will leave it open for them to come to all sorts of conclusions. Try to give as much detail as possible. They will likely talk about your day and what things you do, where you go, potientally ask about any hobbies, do you have pets and how far you can walk etc.

    It's pretty much the same as a face to face, other than they can't see you of course.

    The assessment itself can last anywhere from 20 to 120 minutes sometimes longer. They may not ring on time, especially if the assessment before you lasted longer than expected. This is the same as a face to face and you don't always go in on time, at least definitely not in my experience.

    You can have someone with you during the assessment and you can put the phone onto loud speaker. If you don't hear the question or you misunderstand then ask them to repeat it.

    Once the report is written and returned a decision can take up to 12 weeks.
  • Jimm_Alumni
    Jimm_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,713 Championing
    Hi @NatzH83, welcome to the Scope community, I hope we can help you out with your worries and questions.

    I have a telephone assessment myself in a weeks time! So I'm in that same boat of worry, I had my initial PIP application denied several years ago now so trying a second time now.

    While they cannot see you that also means they cannot base any of their report on how you *look*. They can mention things about how you sound and they can write about what you say. You have to stay clear about how things affect you and not play anything down. If they ask a "yes or no" question you do not have to answer it yes or no. Many questions have a much more detailed answer than "yes or no" and you should answer in that way. Try to not let them rush you. 

    Remember, there is always MR and tribunal if you don't get a decision you think is right. 

    Citizen's Advice have a good page on preparing for your assessment, I hope you find it helpful.

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