PIP Assessment Tips?

RainyDays1999

Hi all,

On the 26th of this month I have a PIP assessment. I am dreading it because some of the assessors are known for lying and scoring people 0 points. I do already receive PIP, but I reported a change because I thought you had to (I have gotten worse).

Basically I have quite a few different mental health issues, some physical issues and Asperger's (before you say anything, I know PIP is not based on what you've got, it's about how it affects you). All these issues do affect me on a daily basis. I need help even doing the most simplest of things because of my mental health.

I'm just so worried about the assessment because when I had my first ever PIP assessment when I was 16 years old (now 20), they lied about everything and scored me 0 points. It's completely ridiculous. However, when my mum and her partner were filling in the PIP forms, I didn't cooperate because I didn't think anything of it when I was younger and I was too obsessed with reading comics to care about this whole PIP thing. The woman who "assessed" me. was nice, but I have no idea what she wrote in her report about me (probably a bunch of lies).

So when I was pretty much 18, I decided to apply for it again and got the standard rate care. The man who assessed me was a mental health nurse (apparently).

A charity helped me fill out my new claim for this upcoming assessment.

And now I'm here - reported a change to the DWP and waiting for my PIP assessment at the end of this month.

I won't be going to the assessment alone; my mum is going with me.

To be honest this whole process is quite stressful. I sometimes think should I of reported the change of getting worse? It's just all so stressful.

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

MeenaM

RainyDays1999 wrote: »

Hi all,

On the 26th of this month I have a PIP assessment. I am dreading it because some of the assessors are known for lying and scoring people 0 points. I do already receive PIP, but I reported a change because I thought you had to (I have gotten worse).

Basically I have quite a few different mental health issues, some physical issues and Asperger's (before you say anything, I know PIP is not based on what you've got, it's about how it affects you). All these issues do affect me on a daily basis. I need help even doing the most simplest of things because of my mental health.

I'm just so worried about the assessment because when I had my first ever PIP assessment when I was 16 years old (now 20), they lied about everything and scored me 0 points. It's completely ridiculous. However, when my mum and her partner were filling in the PIP forms, I didn't cooperate because I didn't think anything of it when I was younger and I was too obsessed with reading comics to care about this whole PIP thing. The woman who "assessed" me. was nice, but I have no idea what she wrote in her report about me (probably a bunch of lies).

So when I was pretty much 18, I decided to apply for it again and got the standard rate care. The man who assessed me was a mental health nurse (apparently).

A charity helped me fill out my new claim for this upcoming assessment.

And now I'm here - reported a change to the DWP and waiting for my PIP assessment at the end of this month.

I won't be going to the assessment alone; my mum is going with me.

To be honest this whole process is quite stressful. I sometimes think should I of reported the change of getting worse? It's just all so stressful.

Hi there

Just want to wish you well with your assessment. It is good your mum is going with you as I can understand how the whole thing is stressful for you. I do think you did right thing in reporting the change, they do say to report change whether that is improvement or getting worse.

I would suggest having a chat with your mum before you go to discuss how you will answer the questions so you are prepared.

take care
Meena

LocoLoco

Rainy Days, I'd suggest you go through your form and the PIP descriptors and make some notes on how the various things affect you day to day. If you note things down it will help you to remember and I find it makes me feel less anxious because I can just read out what I've written rather than having to remember things.



My son is autistic with learning disabilities and his PIP assessment went very well. The lady who assessed him was a paramedic, she'd read his reports beforehand and understood the situation very well. She was very calm, friendly and welcoming. My son was only in the room for a short time (his learning disabilities are quite severe so she just asked him a few questions and then he went off to play and I did the rest of the assessment with her. Her report was very accurate and my son received the rate I thought he should (based on the number of points I thought he should score).


There are a lot of bad stories but also a lot of good ones. I know it's hard to try to stay calm and not worry but I find if I write all the information down so I know I won't forget anything that helps, and I expect your mum can help you a bit if you miss something out. Not all of the assessors are awful people; some are doing their best to try to help people. And as you were successful last time the previous assessor must have written a factually accurate report, so try to focus on that rather than the one before who lied (I know that's easier said than done).


I'll keep my fingers crossed it goes well for you

Not_Radio2

Remember the Assessor isn't interested in what or how many conditions you may have. Their job is to assess how your day to day life is affected by them. Be honest. Like many of us, the Assessor will know when they are being fed a load of !!!!. Just tell him/her how it is.

Fire_Fox

RainyDays1999 wrote: »

Hi all,

On the 26th of this month I have a PIP assessment. I am dreading it because some of the assessors are known for lying and scoring people 0 points. I do already receive PIP, but I reported a change because I thought you had to (I have gotten worse).

Basically I have quite a few different mental health issues, some physical issues and Asperger's (before you say anything, I know PIP is not based on what you've got, it's about how it affects you). All these issues do affect me on a daily basis. I need help even doing the most simplest of things because of my mental health.

<snip>

A charity helped me fill out my new claim for this upcoming assessment.

And now I'm here - reported a change to the DWP and waiting for my PIP assessment at the end of this month.

I won't be going to the assessment alone; my mum is going with me.

To be honest this whole process is quite stressful. I sometimes think should I of reported the change of getting worse? It's just all so stressful.

Sorry to read that your mental wellbeing has got worse.

I am diagnosed with five disorders of mental health. Initial award was paper only without face-to-face (one point off enhanced daily living). So relieved not to have the stress of an appointment.

Like you accidentally triggered re-assessment by trying to report change of circumstance (GP practice + support worker)! I failed to complete one form and failed to attend one face-to-face, both due to MH. Attended last-chance with my support worker. Had a 'nice' assessor.

I had to miss my (night) prescription medication and not sleep at all to attend the morning appointment. Was very anxious and visibly trembling. Strange place plus strange people plus open questions .... horror combination. :eek:

I referred to my support worker constantly (spoke to, looked to). I forgot what I was asked or saying a few times too.

Agree be honest about what you can do, even small things. But beforehand my community MH nurse told me to tell them about 'bad' times! To be awarded enhanced rate for daily living you either need to score highly in a few categories, or to score modestly across the board. So you don't have to remember everything at all.

Oh the worst question was asking about being in their waiting area. Would I/ did I speak to anyone?? Felt like a trick question somehow, but likely paranoia since the assessor was otherwise 'nice'.

HTH.

Robbie64

Fire Fox:


The changes in circumstances you reported shouldn't have triggered a PIP reassessment but unfortunately it does sometimes happen. It's usually down to the person you speak to not fully understanding their own guidance (i.e. they probably have a training issue). My advice is that if it happens again when you report a change such as a GP or support worker then if you can, contact a welfare rights organisation such as your local Citizens Advice. If they can get involved they can often get the Case Manager to withdraw the review. While a review can be undertaken at any time there has to be a common sense approach. If the DWP trigger unnecessary reviews far too often then people will simply stop reporting changes, especially ones that the DWP have previously said will not trigger a review.

Fire_Fox

Robbie64 wrote: »

Fire Fox:

The changes in circumstances you reported shouldn't have triggered a PIP reassessment but unfortunately it does sometimes happen. It's usually down to the person you speak to not fully understanding their own guidance (i.e. they probably have a training issue). My advice is that if it happens again when you report a change such as a GP or support worker then if you can, contact a welfare rights organisation such as your local Citizens Advice. If they can get involved they can often get the Case Manager to withdraw the review. While a review can be undertaken at any time there has to be a common sense approach. If the DWP trigger unnecessary reviews far too often then people will simply stop reporting changes, especially ones that the DWP have previously said will not trigger a review.

Thanks. Subscribed to this thread so I can find it again. There are similar changes to clarify and report: have avoided. Aim for this year.

MIND, GP wellbeing, quiet Drug/ Alc. centre all near my flat now. :T So lucky. I am sure one would be able to help as you suggest?

It was six of one, half a dozen of the other really! Scary stressful then, amusing now.

Winter 2017
On standard rate daily living.

Contact DWP, after failing to report two change of circumstances online (new GP practice + support worker). !!!!!! [STRIKE]complex and detailed verbal exchange[/STRIKE]. DWP later deny this ever happened

DWP mailed out a whole new PIP form. Never received.

Spring 2018
DWP later claim I requested re-assessment

DWP mailed out reminder letter. Never opened, added to hoard.

DWP mailed out a face-to-face appointment letter. Never opened, added to hoard.

Summer 2018
Opened weeks later. :eek: Missed face-to-face in another city. :eek:

Contact DWP. Ask why I did not attend. Told them truth "Oh. I'll try"

MH support worker contacts DWP. I am to be thrown off ESA and PIP if I don't attend face-to-face within days. No appointments.

Support worker contacts DWP and blags cancellation. No MH staff available to attend. DWP refuse further changes. :rotfl:

Autumn 2018
:eek: Attended face-to-face in my city :eek: with support worker, on her day off. :A

Awarded enhanced rate daily living! :j Back pay! :j

Robbie64

^
Glad you got it all sorted. In future I'd suggest only reporting changes that are listed in the link below.



https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/welfare-benefits/pip-mental-health-guide/help-with-your-pip-claim/changes-that-affect-your-pip-claim/


You can report changes in writing though it is quicker to do so over the telephone. But the only changes that should trigger a review are things like a change in your condition (i.e. an improvement or deterioration) or a change in the level of help or care that you need. A change in GP isn't something that should trigger a review. Personally I wouldn't report a change in your support worker. It's not something I've seen listed as a change that needs reporting (unlike a change in GP which is specifically listed) and it's possible that the person you spoke to thought that because you now had a support worker / had changed support worker that perhaps you needed more help or care hence the review being triggered.

[Deleted User]

Have to say I had a good experience when moving from DLA to PIP this summer, remember you only mainly read about people who have had bad ones.

RainyDays1999

Thanks for the replies all.