Speaking for someone at a PIP telephone assessment.

swingaloo

Can someone please clarify if someone is allowed to speak on someone elses behalf at a PIP telephone assessment.

Just doing a Google search produces varied answers. The person is my son. I am not his appointee in terms of having to sign his claims forms although I do fill the forms in for him as his writing is illegible.

Some sites say I can speak on his behalf others say I can only prompt and give a further explanation if needed.

He is incredibly anxious about the call and does not explain himself fully. He gives a false impression, ie- Last time he had an assessment the assessor asked how he was and e replied 'Good thank you' when in reality he had been shaking with nerves before the call. We also made mistakes, for instance, the report said that he could reliably give a list of all his medication and how much/hoe often he took it. Now in reality he does not have a clue. I wrote him a list to make it easier to tell them what his meds were. obviously that was a mistake on my part, I try to help him in any way I can and always have done but I realise I should not have done that as he was reading the list and the assessor thought he had it all in his head. I also took his hand and quietly told him to calm down when I could see it was getting too much for him. When we got the report that was interpreted as me whispering to him what he should say.

So this time I want to avoid making the same mistakes; I know left to speak for himself he will put a 'good' slant on everything as he is the kind to say ;'Fine thanks' when asked how he is even if he is feeling rock bottom. He is very much a 'one word answer' person and does not elaborate so Im hoping I can speak on his behalf.

peteuk

How old is your Son?

If he gives you permission then yes you can assist, did you make a copy of your answers to the questionaire?

Markdavid1962

Based on my wifes experience of doing this with our son, she was allowed to add detail with a prompt but only after our son had spoken, so our son had to give the answers. It depends on the assessor (or company) doing the assessment.

If you were his carer it may be different but not sure.

Have you looked at Benefits and Work website - link below, we used this to educate ourselves, its worth the subscription

PIP claim help, plus ESA, DLA & Universal Credit

swingaloo

Thank you for the replies. My son is an adult so hopefully they will let him answer then me elaborate. I did make copies of the form.

TELLIT01

As an adult, your son will have to request that you speak on his behalf. Once that is done there shouldn't be an issue.

born_again

I did it for my wife. She just gave permission to them to allow them to speak. When she got the result. I was asked if I would like to be appointee. Home visit arranged & all sorted for future.

Like you I filled in all the forms, but used computer & printed them out (making sure has required details @ top of each page) & write see attached sheets on the questions. My writing is not the best & using computer allows you to sit back & re write when you need to do.