Advice and reassurance about PIP reassessment

Hi @libra2709_, 

Welcome to Scope's online community. I am very similar to you- I have chronic pain and walk with one crutch (left hand side). My diagnosis was recently changed to fibromyalgia and joint hypermobility, from just joint hypermobility syndrome, so I too will be up for reassessment soon.

My advice would be to try and relax, as daunting as the PIP process can be, you have already been through it once, and came through fine. I personally am dreading filling out the big form again!

My second piece of advice would be to look over your award letter, and see what you were awarded points for last time, as these will have been the things that came across when your interview and form were looked at, to make the decision on your award. I also approached a charity to help me fill my form out, so I did not have to worry about it as much, as I was guided through each section. I wish I had photocopied it, in hindsight. Your local Citizens Advice Breau can point you in the right direction of people who can help you with the form.

In terms of actually being assessed in the interview, do you have anyone you can take to your reassessment with you? I get very nervous in interview-like situations, so I took my mum- she could pick up where I left off, as I hate being put on the spot with questions, and I was very nervous already. Just having her there helped put me at ease a little.

Hope this helps- please feel free to chat some more if you'd like!

Becca