Pip assessment

Sazzao1974
Sazzao1974 Online Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
edited January 2024 in PIP, DLA, ADP and AA
Hi I’m new hear so hello everyone I have a pip phone assessment on Sunday , I had a traumatic brain injury in September, I’m so worried about the assessment especially the question what do you do in a typical day ? I don’t do much to be honest as I’m too scared to go out and my daughter practically does everything for me . I get up my daughter helps me down stairs and fixes my breakfast if I’m hungry as I have loss of hearing no sense of taste or smell so everything tastes like soap to me so appetites not to good and lost loads of weight , I sleep in the afternoons and have early nights as I’m prone to asomnia as well , it just looks like I just sit round and do nothing but my interest is pretty much not much since my accident  . I mean what would this sound like to a assessor, I’m worried as well as I’m not at the docters every week about how all this affects me but I was told by my consultant at the hospital it’s part of the recovery but I’m scared pip will say well not much evidence, sorry if this all sounds weird I’m just worrying 

Comments

  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 11,754 Online Community Programme Lead
    Hello @Sazzao1974 and a warm welcome to the community. :) 

    It's completely normal to feel anxious about your PIP assessment, you're definitely not alone in this and hopefully the community can help you feel a little more prepared. 

    Your description of your daily routine and challenges provides a clear picture of how your life has been impacted since your accident and that's the sort of thing you should be telling them. Try not to worry too much about what the assessor thinks, they are not there to judge you. It's important for them to understand the reality of your situation, and your honesty in sharing this information is valuable. Remember, the assessment is an opportunity for you to communicate the genuine impact your condition has on your daily life.

    If you're concerned about the assessment, it might be helpful to write down some key points you'd like to say. This way, you can ensure you cover all the relevant aspects of your situation.

    Remember, the goal is to accurately represent your daily life and the challenges you face. If you have any specific questions or need further support, feel free to ask. We're here for you, and I wish you the best of luck with your assessment on Sunday.

  • Sazzao1974
    Sazzao1974 Online Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
    Hello @Sazzao1974 and a warm welcome to the community. :) 

    It's completely normal to feel anxious about your PIP assessment, you're definitely not alone in this and hopefully the community can help you feel a little more prepared. 

    Your description of your daily routine and challenges provides a clear picture of how your life has been impacted since your accident and that's the sort of thing you should be telling them. Try not to worry too much about what the assessor thinks, they are not there to judge you. It's important for them to understand the reality of your situation, and your honesty in sharing this information is valuable. Remember, the assessment is an opportunity for you to communicate the genuine impact your condition has on your daily life.

    If you're concerned about the assessment, it might be helpful to write down some key points you'd like to say. This way, you can ensure you cover all the relevant aspects of your situation.

    Remember, the goal is to accurately represent your daily life and the challenges you face. If you have any specific questions or need further support, feel free to ask. We're here for you, and I wish you the best of luck with your assessment on Sunday.

    Thank you so much I feel better already with your advice 🙂
  • Sazzao1974
    Sazzao1974 Online Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
    woodbine said:
    @Sazzao1974 good afternoon and welcome to scope, couple of tips for your assessment, make sure your phone is fully charged if using a mobile and don't not answer any questions yes or no give detailed answers, hope all goes well.
    That’s what I’m worried about that I’ll just say yes or no when on the spot but I will try explain as much as I can thank you 
  • Sazzao1974
    Sazzao1974 Online Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
    Can I just add I’ve had limited hearing and loss of smell and taste since my accident but only got my referral appointment throught for audiology and ent on the Monday after the phone assessment ( hospital took ages to refer me as they said it normally corrects itself after two months ) so got no evidence to say this only the referral letter of why I’m attending, would that go against me ? Thank you 
  • Sazzao1974
    Sazzao1974 Online Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
    Hello @Sazzao1974 and a warm welcome to the community. :) 

    It's completely normal to feel anxious about your PIP assessment, you're definitely not alone in this and hopefully the community can help you feel a little more prepared. 

    Your description of your daily routine and challenges provides a clear picture of how your life has been impacted since your accident and that's the sort of thing you should be telling them. Try not to worry too much about what the assessor thinks, they are not there to judge you. It's important for them to understand the reality of your situation, and your honesty in sharing this information is valuable. Remember, the assessment is an opportunity for you to communicate the genuine impact your condition has on your daily life.

    If you're concerned about the assessment, it might be helpful to write down some key points you'd like to say. This way, you can ensure you cover all the relevant aspects of your situation.

    Remember, the goal is to accurately represent your daily life and the challenges you face. If you have any specific questions or need further support, feel free to ask. We're here for you, and I wish you the best of luck with your assessment on Sunday.

    Thank you so much I feel better already with your advice 🙂

  • Sazzao1974
    Sazzao1974 Online Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
    Hello @Sazzao1974 and a warm welcome to the community. :) 

    It's completely normal to feel anxious about your PIP assessment, you're definitely not alone in this and hopefully the community can help you feel a little more prepared. 

    Your description of your daily routine and challenges provides a clear picture of how your life has been impacted since your accident and that's the sort of thing you should be telling them. Try not to worry too much about what the assessor thinks, they are not there to judge you. It's important for them to understand the reality of your situation, and your honesty in sharing this information is valuable. Remember, the assessment is an opportunity for you to communicate the genuine impact your condition has on your daily life.

    If you're concerned about the assessment, it might be helpful to write down some key points you'd like to say. This way, you can ensure you cover all the relevant aspects of your situation.

    Remember, the goal is to accurately represent your daily life and the challenges you face. If you have any specific questions or need further support, feel free to ask. We're here for you, and I wish you the best of luck with your assessment on Sunday.

    Thank you so much I feel better already with your advice 🙂
    Can I just add I’ve had limited hearing and loss of smell and taste since my accident but only got my referral appointment throught for audiology and ent on the Monday after the phone assessment ( hospital took ages to refer me as they said it normally corrects itself after two months ) so got no evidence to say this only the referral letter of why I’m attending, would that go against me ? Thank you 
  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 17,025 Championing
    Hi @Sazzao1974 - & welcome to the community from me also. May I ask if you've actually had your phone assessment? It seems like you were asking questions as to what your assessment might be like, & what questions you may be asked, but in your last comment you said, 
    Can I just add I’ve had limited hearing and loss of smell and taste since my accident but only got my referral appointment throught for audiology and ent on the Monday after the phone assessment ( hospital took ages to refer me as they said it normally corrects itself after two months ) so got no evidence to say this only the referral letter of why I’m attending, would that go against me ? Thank you 


  • Sazzao1974
    Sazzao1974 Online Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
    chiarieds said:
    Hi @Sazzao1974 - & welcome to the community from me also. May I ask if you've actually had your phone assessment? It seems like you were asking questions as to what your assessment might be like, & what questions you may be asked, but in your last comment you said, 
    Can I just add I’ve had limited hearing and loss of smell and taste since my accident but only got my referral appointment throught for audiology and ent on the Monday after the phone assessment ( hospital took ages to refer me as they said it normally corrects itself after two months ) so got no evidence to say this only the referral letter of why I’m attending, would that go against me ? Thank you 
    Hi no my assessment is this Sunday and the audiology and ent appointment is the day after on the Monday , ha sorry I’ve just realised it looked like I’d had it by the way I wrote it 🙂


  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 17,025 Championing
    Thank you for clarifying, as you'd had me puzzled.
    The most important evidence is your own, so by all means mention your now limited hearing especially. The important bit is does this relate to the activities that are looked at with PIP, so when bathing/showering would you hear a fire alarm go off? However you need to have had any such difficulties for at least 3 months, & expect them to last at least a further 9 months. If this was the case when you initially claimed PIP, then definitely worth mentioning.
    In general with a PIP assessment, to add to the advice you've already had:

    - If you have kept a copy of your initial claim form, have a read through it.

     - Ideally you should have given 1 or 2 recent, detailed examples of the difficulty you face doing/attempting each applicable activity/descriptor that is looked at with PIP, i.e. when exactly did this occur, where, what exactly happened, why did you have difficulty, did anyone else see this, & were there any consequences to this, if applicable?

     - have a look at the PIP descriptors in this link, reading the notes at the end. The word 'reliably,' which is so important, isn't mentioned as such, but it's if you can't do an activity safely, to an acceptable standard, if you can't repeat it as often as would normally be expected, or if it takes you longer than a person without your disability. If you can't do an activity 'reliably,' say so, explaining why. Please see: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asset-library/personal-independence-payment-descriptors-and-scores-april-2023.pdf

     - see if there were any gaps where you didn't give those important detailed examples for each applicable PIP activities/descriptors in your initial claim form. Try to include these in your assessment if asked about any

     - you may be asked questions which you feel don't directly address the PIP descriptors, but they will

    - if you're unsure about any question, just ask for it to be repeated. Take your time in answering

    - make sure your phone is fully charged, & if you'd like someone there to support you, put your phone on speaker phone so they can listen in. 

    Good luck.



  • Sazzao1974
    Sazzao1974 Online Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
    Hi I did mention in my form about my hearing but never had a diagnosis of proof so was just worrying I had to have a letter or something off a docter to say even though the hospital who treated me know about it . I’m claiming my condition as a tbi . Hearing loss and loss of taste and smell are all related but I never thought to mention how they also affect my getting around and stuff but I will now , thank you so much 



  • Sazzao1974
    Sazzao1974 Online Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
    chiarieds said:
    Hi @Sazzao1974 - & welcome to the community from me also. May I ask if you've actually had your phone assessment? It seems like you were asking questions as to what your assessment might be like, & what questions you may be asked, but in your last comment you said, 
    Can I just add I’ve had limited hearing and loss of smell and taste since my accident but only got my referral appointment throught for audiology and ent on the Monday after the phone assessment ( hospital took ages to refer me as they said it normally corrects itself after two months ) so got no evidence to say this only the referral letter of why I’m attending, would that go against me ? Thank you 
    Hi no my assessment is this Sunday and the audiology and ent appointment is the day after on the Monday , ha sorry I’ve just realised it looked like I’d had it by the way I wrote it 🙂


  • Sazzao1974
    Sazzao1974 Online Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
    Hi just an update my phone assessment was at 1 today , by two o’clock no call so tried the number but they’re closed today , anyone e know why they wouldn’t call me ? I had my phone ready on full charge from 12.30 and no call ? I’m worried now it’s going to be sent back and say they tried to call me but I deffo didn’t receive a call 🤔
  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 17,025 Championing
    How frustrating for you. Just ring tomorrow explaining that you didn't receive a call. Hopefully you'll get one re-arranged fairly soon; perhaps a cancellation if you can be flexible? Please don't worry; it will get sorted, it's just so annoying when no-one let's you know what's happening.
  • Sazzao1974
    Sazzao1974 Online Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
    I’ll ring in the morning, thank you 
  • Sazzao1974
    Sazzao1974 Online Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
    Hi my new assessment is the 30th of jan , they wanted to do it on the day i rang to tell them no one phoned but I had a ent appointment, can I ask one more thing please , I was awarded lcwra for work on the 16th of jan through my journal, I gave my sick note on the 17th of October.do you know them when I will get my first lcwra payment please , thank you 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
     I was awarded lcwra for work on the 16th of jan through my journal, I gave my sick note on the 17th of October.do you know them when I will get my first lcwra payment please , thank you 
    What date do you usually receive your UC payment each month? Based on the limited information you've given then your first payment will be either Feb or March 2024.

  • Sazzao1974
    Sazzao1974 Online Community Member Posts: 23 Connected
     I was awarded lcwra for work on the 16th of jan through my journal, I gave my sick note on the 17th of October.do you know them when I will get my first lcwra payment please , thank you 
    What date do you usually receive your UC payment each month? Based on the limited information you've given then your first payment will be either Feb or March 2024.

    Hi poppy my next payment is the 8th of February I
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    That means your assessment periods are 2nd to 1st of every month. Therefore your waiting period will be Nov to Feb.. LCWRA starts from assessment period 2nd Feb to 1st March and first payment will be 8th March. No LCWRA element is owed.

    If you or a partner were receiving earnings since you provided your first fit note and you didn't previously have the work allowance, you will be owed some money for that.