Uc lcwra & pip

tearsandrain

Hello all,

I am very anxious and embarrassed to be posting here.

Following issues at my previous workplace I was dismissed on the grounds of ill health, my union suggested that I apply for PIP as well as UC. I applied for UC in late October 2018 and after assessment I was awarded LCWRA in March 2019.

My health issues (affecting my mobility and physical and mental health) have affected me particularly badly in the last few months and I am only just beginning to feel able to apply for PIP as well.

My questions are what is the likelihood that I would need to attend a second face to face assessment and can I request the PIP form via email or post as I am not able to speak on the phone.

Thank you and sorry if this is in the wrong place.

Tears

poppy12345

tearsandrain wrote: »

Hello all,

I am very anxious and embarrassed to be posting here.

Following issues at my previous workplace I was dismissed on the grounds of ill health, my union suggested that I apply for PIP as well as UC. I applied for UC in late October 2018 and after assessment I was awarded LCWRA in March 2019.

My health issues (affecting my mobility and physical and mental health) have affected me particularly badly in the last few months and I am only just beginning to feel able to apply for PIP as well.

My questions are what is the likelihood that I would need to attend a second face to face assessment and can I request the PIP form via email or post as I am not able to speak on the phone.

Thank you and sorry if this is in the wrong place.

Tears

Most people have face to face assessments so i'd advise you to expect one of those as well. LCW is different to PIP.


You can apply by post yes but the process is much longer.


It’s quicker to apply by phone, but if that isn’t possible you can write to the DWP and ask for a PIP1 form.
You’ll need to tell them why you (or someone else) can’t do the PIP1 form over the phone.
Personal Independence Payment New Claims
Post Handling Site B
Wolverhampton
WV99 1AH


https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/how-to-claim/

Muttleythefrog

Agree with above advice....PIP1 form request if can't handle lengthy call... this form only captures basics. It is the first step of claim leading on to assessing you and more likely than not will include face to face but no certainties.

I would make sure you get, if you haven't already got, a copy of your Assessment report regarding your U/C LCWRA. Although the criteria is very different for PIP there may be some useful evidence in the report in the form of opinion that is consistent with things you say about your disabilities in later completion of the (rather lengthy) PIP2 form you should be sent. Other evidence could also be useful.

tearsandrain

Thank you for the above replies.

I thought I should update this thread instead of making a new thread. I am feeling very panicked, I received a text message this morning for a face to face assessment (which I was expecting) but it is a 40 minute one way drive from my house and I am not going to be able to do that as I anxious and agroraphobic.

Can I request a closer face to face assessment and can I get in trouble for this?

Sorry and thank you

poppy12345

tearsandrain wrote: »

Thank you for the above replies.

I thought I should update this thread instead of making a new thread. I am feeling very panicked, I received a text message this morning for a face to face assessment (which I was expecting) but it is a 40 minute one way drive from my house and I am not going to be able to do that as I anxious and agroraphobic.

Can I request a closer face to face assessment and can I get in trouble for this?

Sorry and thank you

You can cancel the appointment yes but you can only do this once. If they offer another assessment when you ring, make sure you can attend that before agreeing.


If a home assessment is needed, you will need a letter from your GP stating the reasons why you can't attend the assessment centre. If you attend other appointments then this can go against you for a home assessment.

11krage

If you do need to go to the assessment centre try to take someone with you and don't be afraid to say and show how anxious the trip there has made you. It might even work in your favor having them see what those kind of trips do to you.

Plan something nice and peaceful for when you get home afterward. Good luck.

tearsandrain

Hello to you both,

Thank you for the replies, sorry I am do late in replying (social anxiety).

To update I got my appointment next week and am very nervous. I have been fortunate enough to receive some money owed from UC and have bought to cassette recorders for the assessment as I know that I won’t be able to make notes and will be helpful if I need to request a mandatory reconsideration.

Sorry I am rambling, thank you for the reminder of doing something nice. I have got a new set of pyjamas so am going to wear them and watch the old Gavin and Stacey Christmas special.

Sorry if I may ask one more thing, although I am not going to be able to take notes in the meeting I saw a while ago a website posted a template of things to take notes of that happened in the assessment and had space for the date and time of the assessment and the names of the assessor and witness and a signature of the applicant and witness. Would anyone know where to find this or something similar please?

Thank you again

tears

poppy12345

tearsandrain wrote: »

Hello to you both,

Thank you for the replies, sorry I am do late in replying (social anxiety).

To update I got my appointment next week and am very nervous. I have been fortunate enough to receive some money owed from UC and have bought to cassette recorders for the assessment as I know that I won’t be able to make notes and will be helpful if I need to request a mandatory reconsideration.

Sorry I am rambling, thank you for the reminder of doing something nice. I have got a new set of pyjamas so am going to wear them and watch the old Gavin and Stacey Christmas special.

Sorry if I may ask one more thing, although I am not going to be able to take notes in the meeting I saw a while ago a website posted a template of things to take notes of that happened in the assessment and had space for the date and time of the assessment and the names of the assessor and witness and a signature of the applicant and witness. Would anyone know where to find this or something similar please?

Thank you again

tears

Have you rang the health assessment providers to tell them you're going to be recording the assessment? if you haven't then you need to do this.



If the worst happens and you are refused then you won't be able to use the recording for the MR.



Why would you want to take notes during the assessment when you'll be recording it?

Alice_Holt

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/your-assessment/

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-medical-assessments

tearsandrain

Thank you for your help as ever poppy12345, I have emailed the disability accessible email and waiting for confirmation. Hopefully it will come though soon, they are usually pretty quick.

I wanted the form as I hoped it would give me some reassurance but wonder if reading to much will worsen my anxiety? Think I might leave it.

Thank you for the links Alice Holt

tears

tearsandrain

Hi.

I wanted to post an update, I attended the face to face assessment last week and feel I am beginning to recover as it was very difficult.

I would like to ask your thoughts about the appropriateness of some of what I was asked, for safety I will add a a warning as it may distress some -



WARNING



The assessor asked me to specify my self harm methods and if I was suicidal, when I answered yes she asked what is stopping you. I am not sure if this is appropriate and I am over reacting but feel this wasn’t needed when I had explained this in application form.

Thank you

tears