Published on 12, July, 2020
I've just received a text message to ring and arrange a PIP assessment for myself, the message stated they have appointments available in the next 7 days.
The only available one I was given is 9am tomorrow morning.
I accepted it.
Have I made a fatal error.
I can't find anyone to go with me at such short notice. And going alone terrifies me.
Is it normal to be given less than 24 hours notice of a PIP assessment. Or are they playing games?
Robert124 said:ignored due to lack of time.
...Emphasize this act especially and question it very much, and ignore prevarications, attempts at dismissing this, at linking it to anything else. The most important things for Yourself are the most important things to PRESS. As I said upon the Newer Thread, Officially Complain and "call out" their Flaws concerning that interview.
Robert124 said: The later questions about mental problems which we filled out on the original form were ignored due to lack of time.
...Me again. NEW THREAD, though. As I say there, put this into an official complaint. Sometimes, but it is much dependent upon luck/to-whom-one-is-speaking... they may reschedule the appointment and re-do it. That this occurred is not fair upon Yourself, and not right, and so jolly well TELL THEM that. In a "calm, proper" legal manner.
...?! (This means I do not know what else to do/offer/say. This could happen to Myself. But right back at them, I should try my best to become VERY English about it...)
The asessor was a paramedic and repeated many of the questions that were on the form. Such as my ability to walk. Lift my hands, stretch my arms, fingers, ability to climb stairs, get in and out of baths, on and off toilets etc. The later questions about mental problems which we filled out on the original form were ignored due to lack of time.
Please don't be dishearten. They don't have a specific script of questions they ask every candidate so it shouldn't be a case of you were asked the wrong questions and ran out of time for the social/mental ones. They pick questions they feel are relevant from what you put on the form.
An hour is a long time so it sounds like the assessor was through.
When you sent off your forms did you hand in any independent evidence to provide what you was saying was true e.g a copy of your autism report? As well as the interview they take all of that into consideration too.
I have no personal experience with PIP assessments but from what I've read on here, it sounds like they really need to take a good look at the whole process.
I'm back from my PIP assessment.
I went with my sister.
It went badly for me!
Lasted one hour.
Most Questions were slow and detailed about my physical conditions. Which I don't suffer from. And he ran out of time for the later social/mental ones that I do suffer from.
So I think going was a waste of time for me.
Some people don't have as much luck, I was denied the mobility element as I walk to my local shop so can obviously walk 200 meters (shop is 83 meters from my home) and because I take my kids to school (623 meters away have to stop about 6 times to let pain in my legs subside) I force myself to do this as there is no one else that can and I was penalised for it. I was also told they would not consider my anxiety as I was only on low level medication so it obviously is not that bad.
My experience is PIP is there incredibly fair and don't play games. A lot of the bad press around the system is unfounded. Have you been watching the homeless program on C4? Theres a guy on there who was vitriolic about the benefit system but refused to go to his PIP assessment as it wouldn't be a GP that assessed him - if you look on the adverts for these posts you have to be medically qualified, such as nurse, so it came across that he was just being awkward as he liked to have something to moan about.
The centre your going to have probably got some free slots and want to fill their assessors time.
I've only ever attended my appointments alone(initial assessment and renewal). I've been awarded enhanced rate care at both times.
At the assessment they'll ask you some questions relating to what you've written. I'm great at getting starlight to the point so my assessment doesn't normally last longer than 15 mins.
Greetings Mr Math-Photographer Sir. I am Glad to see You Posting again.
...I would go with what "Binary" says here most of all. Also "Nas39248" does give a good answer. If becoming nervous or unsettled, or even suddenly feeling overwhelmed (Meltdown? shutdown?) then what I Myself would do is to gain the person whom I am supposed to see and get *them* to fill in the form or talk through the entire interview very carefully. Insist upon this very much if needs must.
(Advice upon this forum so far states that One 'should not fill in the form Yourself', or attend the interview alone.) Good Luck from Myself in any case. (I might be trying for the same thing quite soon...) (!)
It is very short notice but I'd be tempted to take it. If its unsettled you then your needs may be more obvious and it therefore be more likely that you need PIP.
Personally I'd prefer short notice. If I was given notice then I would have time to plan and prepare and therefore mask so I wouldn't show my true needs.
Everyone is different though. You have to do what is right for you.
I got no notice for mine either, however they did inform me I was allowed to change it once without it affecting my award however if I had to change it again my payment would stop