Pip assessment questions

poppy12345

rockingbilly wrote: »

I remember this from a face to face I had with ESA some 3 years ago.
I received the usual rubbish in the post about what will happen etc. Also it came with a map on how to get to the centre.
Having no one to go with me or take me I faithfully followed the instructions to the letter.
A one hour bus ride, change buses for another twenty minute journey then last but not least a 800 metre walk from where the bus dropped me off to the centre.

One of the first questions that I was asked by the assessor was 'how have you got here today?'
I told her as per the map you sent me.
The result was that I was assessed as able to use public transport AND was able to walk with no difficulty.
That was the end of my ESA claim which was convenient in a way as my 65th birthday was only a couple of weeks away.
Just shows that if you comply with what they suggest you do, you end up being penalised for doing it!

Yup in all my assessments for ESA and PIP, the first thing they asked me was how i got there.

poppy12345

yasminec wrote: »

Hi
Its over now the dreading waiting starts.
Came half an our early and i forgot to mention some things. I had a nurse to interview me.
My hospital were surprised i had this as said i should get the higher awards on both but i have bever been lucky unfortunately in anything in life.
Can you get the report of what she has written or is that confidential

Hopefully you won't have to wait too long. Let us know the outcome good luck.

rockingbilly

poppy12345 wrote: »

Yup in all my assessments for ESA and PIP, the first thing they asked me was how i got there.

Yes it's totally unfair that the DWP will use it against you if you follow the map and instructions that they send to you.
Then if you go alone that is held against you and God forbid if you 'put a front on' when at the assessment they will assume that there is nothing wrong with you. All of that has also been used against me in the past. The assessor assumed that I did not have a mental disorder despite what I wrote in the claim form. On appeal I had to dig out all of the evidence that I had and still have that condition.
Sometimes you really do want to give up when it seems that everyone and their dog is against you.

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

It's pathetic - if you say "I arrived by car or taxi" they then translate that into being able to get on and off an unadapted toilet unaided and thus 0 points for that.

Maybe it is worth calling an ambulance and arriving in the bed they drag off the back of it. But suspect they would say you were able to get in the bed and so can do all manner of things.

kingfisherblue

When my son transfers to PIP, if they ask him how he got there, they'll be lucky to get an answer. They may have to repeat or re-word the question, and if he does answer, he will probably say 'Mum car', assuming I drive him. If he is sent to a town that I am unfamiliar with, I'll probably take him on the train and then get a taxi.

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

kingfisherblue wrote: »

When my son transfers to PIP, if they ask him how he got there, they'll be lucky to get an answer. They may have to repeat or re-word the question, and if he does answer, he will probably say 'Mum car', assuming I drive him. If he is sent to a town that I am unfamiliar with, I'll probably take him on the train and then get a taxi.

If he goes by public transport they will say "reports is able to use public transport and is therefore able to engage with other people".

If he has no specialist input 24/7 that is used against a claimant too. Given the fact the NHS is in crisis and is only able to patch people up and send them on their way the chances of lengthy ongoing specialist input is rare and key opportunity for the DWP to trivialise someone's condition and abilities.

Tommo1980

Scaremongering doesn't help anyone.

He wouldn't be going on public transport on his own so that statement is incorrect.

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

Tommo1980 wrote: »

Scaremongering doesn't help anyone.

He wouldn't be going on public transport on his own so that statement is incorrect.

Yes so it might be but the HCPs frequently seem to not listen correctly and write down what they think they hear.

Massive hooo harrrr going on about it right now:

http://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/pip-investigation-welfare-expert-says-two-thirds-of-appeals-involve-lying-assessors/

http://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/pip-investigation-100-cases-and-still-dwp-refuses-to-accept-the-dishonest-truth/

There are just the handful of claimant that have been prepared to come forward. It is suspected that there are many more.

A classic old chestnut that happens is "claimant looks well kemp" written in the report where they sneakily "observe" the claimant and from that draw all manner of often wrong conclusions. So they will put in dressing.... Informal observations reveal claimant looked well kemp as such they have little difficulty in dressing.

They offer you water in a plastic cup in the interview. If you drink from it the part containing taking nutrition will say"

Claimant was observed to drink water at the assessment therefore they have little difficulty in taking nutrition and required no prompting to drink.

rockingbilly

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

Yes so it might be but the HCPs frequently seem to not listen correctly and write down what they think they hear.

Massive hooo harrrr going on about it right now:

http://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/pip-investigation-welfare-expert-says-two-thirds-of-appeals-involve-lying-assessors/

http://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/pip-investigation-100-cases-and-still-dwp-refuses-to-accept-the-dishonest-truth/

There are just the handful of claimant that have been prepared to come forward. It is suspected that there are many more.

A classic old chestnut that happens is "claimant looks well kemp" written in the report where they sneakily "observe" the claimant and from that draw all manner of often wrong conclusions. So they will put in dressing.... Informal observations reveal claimant looked well kemp as such they have little difficulty in dressing.

They offer you water in a plastic cup in the interview. If you drink from it the part containing taking nutrition will say"

Claimant was observed to drink water at the assessment therefore they have little difficulty in taking nutrition and required no prompting to drink.

You are absolutely right. I have been there too. When you get the appeal pack and get to read the reports that the assessor has sent to the DWP it's as though it refers to someone else. Well kemp - yes I do go to all interviews quite well dressed but as you say that is used against you. What they don't know is how I manage to get like that - all thanks to my wife!
I've had it where you try to explain and are cut short by the assessor who has moved on to their next question. In my case I just gave up, not because I wanted to, but because I had no choice unless I was to talk over the assessor telling them to shut up and listen to what I am saying.

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

Basically I want to disabuse folk here of the notion I am scare mongering but to be aware that the HCP is not on your side. Think of them as the official side rep and you are the union member.

I am emphasising the importance of being thorough in your answers. So if you are asked about difficulties with dressing you will need to be clear for example.....

My carer had to ensure that I was up earlier than usual to prepare for this meeting. They had to help me get dressed in order to look well kempt for this assessment. They also assisted me with washing too. I had to arrange for this meeting to be in the morning because I would be too fatigued for it to take place in the afternoon and as it is I will be exhausted this afternoon after this meeting because my M.E causes significant onset of fatigue later after an activity that leaves me unable to do anything but rest such as this that involves concentration, physically getting here and stress.

Or:

I usually spend most of the day in my pyjamas because it is easier than getting dressed. It took me a long time to get dressed because it is painful to put on my socks and shoes. To help with this I use a long handles shoe horn,

Or:

It took a considerable time to get my son ready for this interview. He is Autistic as you know and he was obstinate when required to get up earlier. He also required more prompting and assistance than usual to get dressed because he did not want to leave the house. He even began to remove clothing in the car. In order to stop him I had to promise to buy a lego set he has wanted for ages.

Or:

My son/daughter needs a lot of help understanding how to speak to other people and understanding instructions. For example when I asked him/her to feed the dog he/she tried to give the dog crisps and a lolly.

Ensure the HCP is under no illusions of the difficulties you or the person you care for has.