PIP is it worth bothering? It's a headache already

The simple answer to your question is yes it is worth the hassle claiming PIP :BUT: before starting, to take some of the stress out of the process, its possibly worth getting this thought in your head. I can't miss what I've never had. The main reason for starting out that way is because the process can be stressful and can take a long time. Especially if you need to go to tribunal. 

claim forms can be requested online. I try my hardest to avoid direct contact with the DWP because even owning a telephone is considered a sign that communication with others isn't a problem. Citizens advice have always been of some use :BUT: there are others such as mind that are probably better if you have mental health problems. Plus a lot of people are suggesting that cab are not independent of the DWP because the dwp have paid them 51 million quid to help people complete UC claims...However CAB have signed a contract that says something along the lines of we will not speak publicly about the issues UC claimants are facing. And people are facing a lot of problems with UC PIP ESA...Ummmmm the entire benefits system. Even people with cancer trying to claim UC have to wait 5 weeks or more without payments. Homelessness up. Having to use food banks/baby banks is now not uncommon and almost acceptable.

sick and disabled people are under the governments microscope and under attack. People earning 1000's an hour seem to be convincing people earning 12 an hour that people earning 8 are the reason this country is broke. And sick and disabled are scroungers. Hate crime is up. BUT dont let any of that put you off claiming if you think you meet the criteria for a benefit. 

If you need to go to CAB or any other organisation for help with your claim. The dwp may query how you managed to cope with that. You say you have meltdowns. Is this documented ?? by doctors ? have they or any other professionals witnessed any of your meltdowns ? I ask because medical evidence is very important. And evidence relating to inability to cope with others goes a long way towards being awarded ESA(reg35) and without looking it up I'd guess there are a fair number of points awarded in PIP claims for inappropriate risky or aggressive behavior.

Obviously there are a lot of different ways points are awarded. And there are obviously a lot of lies told by the dwp and their assessors. DWP rules state you cannot record medicals unless you have old style police style recording equipment and give them a duplicate of whatever you record...but with that said a judge did allow a hidden recording to be played at appeal. 

HERES THE ADDRESS FOR CLAIM FORM. BE SURE TO SEND ALL LETTERS RECORDED DELIVERY..

https://www.gov.uk/pip/how-to-claim

Other ways to claim

If you find it difficult to use the telephone, you can claim by post or by using a text relay or video relay service.

Send information by post

You can get a form to send information by post (although this can delay the decision on your claim). Write a letter to ask for the form.

there was a thread a couple of weeks back where a forum member said she recorded her interview with the assesses knowledge

there was a thread a couple of weeks back where a forum member said she recorded her interview with the assesses knowledge

I'll probably get one from my GP I have an appointment booked so I shall ask there regarding the anxiety, depression, sciatica and fibro.

I also have received my diagnosis paperwork for my ASD appointment, which the first thing it says is that I need to be reminded to go to the loo. Sounds worse then we mentioned (I have a habit of announcing I need to go and walk round and get distracted for ages and sit down and he says - I thought you were just going for a wee and I had forgotten). It also says I was very reliant on him to fill in gaps in the conversation. Is this enough or do I need to request a specific letter from the people who diagnosed me?

when the works and pensions select committee concluded its investigation into PIP/ESA  process they said that recording equipment should be available at all medical centres and all assessments should be recorded. And I think the DWP agreed they would make recordings a part of the claim process. BUT they haven't yet. 

I would worry about the recording situation if and when called in for assessment, and right now concentrate on getting the claim form, making a few notes about how disability affects day to day life, and gathering medical evidence.

Get really lucky or the right letters from doctors and sometimes medicals aren't required...or rather they aren't possible. For example someone that could come to harm or cause others harm due to having meltdowns can request a home visit which is likely to be denied because it could put atos staff in a potentially dangerous situation OR they could request a paper based decision be made and avoid the medical that way. Even tribunals can be done on paper so from start to finish there is no direct contact with anyone. Evidence required to be awarded benefit/win appeals needs to be really good to get anything without having the medicals though.

i just found this article my bad

The DWP has produced a FAQ on the audio recording of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Work Capability Assessments

 The FAQ states that:

• You do not have a legal right to have your face-to-face assessment recorded but all requests will be accommodated where possible.
• You should always request audio recording in advance.
• You must sign a consent form.
• If recording equipment is not available you may have to wait longer than normal for their face-to-face assessment. Although this may slow down the benefit process it will not effect your entitlement to benefit.
• You can request to have a home based assessment recorded.
• You may be allowed to use your own recording equipment providing you give DWP/Atos notice and it meets DWP/Atos Healthcare requirements. This includes providing two copies of the recording in such a way to ensure that the recording has not been tampered with and is a reliable and accurate record of the assessment.
• Approved recording media are standard CD and audio tapes only. Video recording of assessments is not permitted.
• If you are caught making a secret recording your assessment will be terminated.