Capita face-to-face home assessment I didn't request

victoriafv

When I received my "how your disability affects you" review form, I knew that a F2F probably wasn't far behind and, lo and behold, yesterday I received a notification from Capita to schedule one. Oddly though, it's been set to take place in my home, which I didn't request. I have mental health issues and physical issues so, from a comfort point of view, that's a bonus but I'm wondering if it's normal for them to come here "voluntarily" without me requesting it. I'm very anxious that they're using it as an opportunity to get inside and poke around. And I'm totally paranoid that it will open up a whole new range of excuses they could make to lower/stop my PIP – for instance, even though I do so in a huge amount of pain, I have to keep my place as tidy and clean as possible otherwise it has significant negative impact on my depression and anxiety. To them, I'm sure that translates to "it's tidy therefore her mobility is fine". Also, they'll not get any sense of how difficult it is to leave my home for anything. Before when I've gone to them it's been plainly obvious I'm scared, uncomfortable, a little disoriented, and exhausted. Unsurprisingly this will be much less during a home interview – another excuse for them to write me off.

Alice_Holt

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

"they'll not get any sense of how difficult it is to leave my home for anything."   
a)  Since a Home Assessment has been arranged, then it is likely the information they already hold recognises this;

b)  Have recent examples ready to explain this - give them a FULL account of how your poor mental and physical health affects the PIP activities;

c) See if a family member / carer / friend can be present and take notes;

d) Use the time before the assessment to prepare rather than worry -
  i) Reread your PIP form;
 II) make sure you understand the PIP activities, descriptors, and points system -  https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/831253/PIP-assessment-guide-part-2-the_assessment-criteria.pdf
Reliability is very important - look at page 73 on of the PIP guide above. If you can't do an activity reliably you should score points - have examples ready - DO NOT TELL THE ASSESSOR THAT YOU CAN DO AN ACTIVITY IF YOU CAN'T DO IT RELIABLY;

e) Have any readily available relevant medical evidence / evidence from carers / family etc to hand. Request a copy of your medical notes under GDPR / subject access request  from your surgery - especially if recent medical evidence would support a PIP award.

Take this time to prepare and understand PIP rather than get yourself into a panic. 

Spoonie_Turtle

It may be because they don't have a centre within 90 minutes' travel time that would be suitable for you to access with your mobility problems, or it could be that they've decided leaving the house would be too traumatic for you. Either way it means they've taken your PIP form seriously, which is a good thing

poppy12345

Spoonie_Turtle said:

 Either way it means they've taken your PIP form seriously, which is a good thing

I disagree with that, sorry. Having a home assessment doesn't mean you'll be awarded PIP. I've heard of people being refused and awarded PIP after a home assessment.

Spoonie_Turtle

poppy12345 said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

 Either way it means they've taken your PIP form seriously, which is a good thing

I disagree with that, sorry. Having a home assessment doesn't mean you'll be awarded PIP. I've heard of people being refused and awarded PIP after a home assessment.

No, I'm not saying it will definitely result in a PIP award, but just to view this as a positive thing instead of worrying about it (as far as possible - difficult enough anyway and even harder with anxiety obviously, I know). Viewing it as a good start - and nothing more - is better than it being yet another thing to cause stress.

Having a home assessment takes away the stress of trying to work out how the heck you're going to get to the appointment, so put to good use the time and energy you'd have used on that, to prepare like @Alice_Holt said

Nannytone

I was given a home assessment without requesting one.
I was concerned because I move around far easier at home then I do do outside.
I am blind and live by myself so obviously everything at home is where I put it and because of that that I don't walk into things very often and I can find what I need.
Going to an unfamiliar place would have shown them the issues I have moving around and finding things.

I needn't have worried though because the Healthcare professional it'll be asleep read my form thoroughly and all the questions were really relevant.
My home is also very clean and tidy because if I was untidy I would never find anything I don't think she held that against me me though and I was awarded what I consider to be the correct rates

WeAreGhosts

I also had a face-to-face at home without requesting one. The bonus is that you can stay in your pyjamas!

poppy12345

WeAreGhosts said:

 The bonus is that you can stay in your pyjamas!

Yes indeed, if that's what you usually do, otherwise no.

born_again

I fully expected to be asked to take wife to local center. Which would have been a nightmare given it's location and lack of parking.
Thankfully a home visit was what we were offered. Which is far less stressful as you are in the comfort of your own environment.

Alice_Holt

I see from the OP's profile that the last activity was "Last Active - 7 March at 8:56AM".   Which indicates that she hasn't returned to look at any of the replies to her post. 

Unfortunately, this isn't unusual on this site -  it does make one rather question the point of typing longish replies to address the OP's specific points.