PIP F2F home visit

wazza2004

Hi, tried unsuccessfully to find any similar post. I am currently on DLA and have been asked to apply for PIP if I wish to continue. They want to do a F2F assessment at my home. Would they want to check the rooms out and ask me to go upstairs, try the appliances etc etc? Or would we just sit in one room and I just answer their questions?
Any info greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Deleted User]

A home visit should be little different to you going to an assessment centre. Remember you are allowed to have someone with you.

poppy12345

No, they wouldn't ask to look around your home. If you're requesting a home assessment then you'll need a letter from your GP stating the reasons why you can't attend an assessment centre. Do be aware that if you attend other appointments then this can go against you for a home assessment.

wazza2004

Thanks for the info. I didn't request a home visit. I was told that f2f assessment will be held at a local centre or in a nearby city. I was surprised to see that the venue is at my home address. Maybe there was no available bookings at the local centre etc

LocoLoco

Hi Wazza,


My son's assessment was done at home without us asking for it as well so it might be something that they're doing more now (I was surprised as well!).


The lady that came out to us was lovely; she was a paramedic who had obviously read all my son's reports and understood them because she phrased her questions to him appropriately (he has intellectual disabilities amongst other things) and she just chatted to him for a short while before telling him he could go off and do something else if he wanted to and she'd talk to me (he was off like a shot Lol).


We went through everything; it was basically the same questions as you get on the paper form and she just asked for a bit of clarification on a few points really. She was there quite a while - maybe an hour and a half? But it was fine, she was very polite and friendly.


She got my son to do a few basic tasks at the end, I can't actually remember what they were now but I think it was like could he raise his arm above his head or stand on one leg, something like that. She didn't ask to see any equipment although he doesn't use much anyway. It all went fine and my son got the rate I thought he should be on (which was Enhanced for both categories).


Obviously one person's experience doesn't mean someone else's will be the same but I was surprised at how well it went as we'd heard so many negative stories so hopefully you will have a good one as well. Depending on your personal circumstances, you might find it helpful to have things you need to mention written down in front of you or any extra notes to refer back to if need be. I go through my son's information so often I can recite it verbatim but if it's less frequent for you it might help if you jot some things down beforehand. Hope it goes well for you!