Got my PIP call this afternoon; engaging face to face.

Kris35

I just saw this on the PIP Infor website:

Relevance of ESA case law on social engagement to PIP activity 9 / engaging socially does not require an ability to establish and develop friendships

I thought that because I cannot have a relationship with anyone, that would go in my favour but it seems not?

HillStreetBlues

Kris35 said:

I just saw this on the PIP Infor website:

Relevance of ESA case law on social engagement to PIP activity 9 / engaging socially does not require an ability to establish and develop friendships

I thought that because I cannot have a relationship with anyone, that would go in my favour but it seems not?

It's down to what you class as "relationship with anyone".  It's a general behaviour to those you meet. A person's interactions with other people are is a "relationship" in PIP context.
For example if you go to local shop and someone serves you  and you have a bit of small talk, that's an appropriate  "relationship", then it would come down to how much stress and anxiety that interaction has caused
If you just grunt and leave then it's not a "relationship".

Kris35

Just had the phone chat with them and they were asking about my cats and their names? Plus what my last job was and what car I drive? IS that usual? Told them my car is 13 years old and on it's last legs but he wanted to know the make too. Nice enough guy though.

LinLui

I suggest you read what @HillStreetBlues said again. They were engaging you in "small talk" to see how you responded. 

Kris35

Good job I pointed out that I can talk to people once or twice who are being paid to deal with me then isn't it. I knew what he was doing but asking my cat's names etc is a bit odd IMO.

Spoonie_Turtle

LinLui said:

I suggest you read what @HillStreetBlues said again. They were engaging you in "small talk" to see how you responded. 

Probably, although a one-off engagement during a necessary appointment is actually irrelevant to how PIP is assessed - and OP needs to remember that in case they have to consider challenging the decision.

peteuk

Kris35 said:

Just had the phone chat with them and they were asking about my cats and their names? Plus what my last job was and what car I drive? IS that usual? Told them my car is 13 years old and on it's last legs but he wanted to know the make too. Nice enough guy though.

In a PIP assessment yes it is normal to gather information about Social circumstance so yes pets, last job, do you drive (manual/automatic) is relevant. But they will also ask about your house, who you live with etc etc

If your claiming physical difficulties to hands, wrists, arms but drive daily then it may be demend that you have movement/power/grip enought to drive a manual car.   Equally if your claiming an foot,ankle.lower leg, knee and driving and have changed your car to an automatic it may support this. 

HillStreetBlues

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Probably, although a one-off engagement during a necessary appointment is actually irrelevant to how PIP is assessed - and OP needs to remember that in case they have to consider challenging the decision.

I wouldn't say it's irrelevant, but shouldn't be the only factor considered, but as we know so many are just based on that single assessment.

Muttleythefrog

Kris35 said:

Good job I pointed out that I can talk to people once or twice who are being paid to deal with me then isn't it. I knew what he was doing but asking my cat's names etc is a bit odd IMO.

Was this an actual assessment. If so...... yes the questions sound typical of testing someone's ability to engage in a meaningful conversation...socially engage. From memory I think there is the potential issue of whether you choose to avoid engagement and relationships with people or whether there is disablement in this respect.... it's not always easy to tell and perhaps they probed at that.

peteuk

Muttleythefrog said:

Kris35 said:

Good job I pointed out that I can talk to people once or twice who are being paid to deal with me then isn't it. I knew what he was doing but asking my cat's names etc is a bit odd IMO.

Was this an actual assessment. If so...... yes the questions sound typical of testing someone's ability to engage in a meaningful conversation...socially engage. From memory I think there is the potential issue of whether you choose to avoid engagement and relationships with people or whether there is disablement in this respect.... it's not always easy to tell and perhaps they probed at that.

I think we’ve had this discussion before, there is a massive difference between someone who chooses to live alone and not interact and someone who doesn't have the capacity either through mental health or cognitive capability to socialise and maintain face to face interaction.   Which is where other behaviours are looked at.  I personally would say PIP over the phone isn’t a good indication that someone can interact (as it’s not face to face) but will give the assessor a good insight to if they can not.  For instance just because a claimant can talk throught the assessment does not give a fair indication that they can interact face to face, the assessor should explore other aspects as the PIP assessment is a false environment.   However the behaviour and speech of a claiment may show signs of difficulty in interaction, so this along with other examples could show an inability to interact.