I’m a PIP assessor, happy to advise if I can

[Impr90]

Hello all,

If you’ve got any questions you think I might be able to help with, please let me know

All the best for the New Year

Do they try and match a pip assessors with specific medical knowledge to the claimant because my assessors medical knowledge was absolutely shocking also are you all told to lie or are their a lot of people who work there who just hate disabled people

If a DLA claim with an end date is up for renewal, the reassessment will be for PIP - that’s if the claimant hasn’t already been transferred over before the claim has reached the end. It doesn’t matter whether the DLA claim is an indefinite award, or how long ago that was made, there will still be a reassessment for PIP. PIP is a working age benefit, and when it was introduced, it was determined that all those DLA claimants whose 65th birthday was on or before 8 April 2013 would remain on DLA. Claimants turning 65 after 8 April 2013 are still treated as if they are still under 65 for PIP. So yes, there will be a reassessment for PIP.

Just in answer to your question I don’t have any knowledge of the internal workings of other providers

I did this on my recent form. I had kept a copy of the previous form & award letter & for each question where there was no change I answered 'no change' and then repeated what was on the award letter.
The only evidence I submitted was for the one question where there was a change.
I was awarded another 5 years with no assessment.

No it does not. My PIP application (arthritis) was accepted first time, I was very suprised as I didn't see myself as being severely disabled, but my consultant advised me to apply.

This is great to hear. I’m sorry you’re experiencing difficulties though. All the best

It depends on the condition my older son was diagnosed with Diabetes two years ago he had acute necrotizing pancreititis, and has virtually no pancreas tissue left so is now insulin dependent
And treated as type 1 ,he wa 16 when diagnosed and looking at the PIp criteria I don't think he would be eligible because despite it being a life changing disability, he is fully independent can cook ,clean fir himself travel independently etc but he would have qualified under DLA
My youngest son has severely autistic and currently gets the highest rates of DLA and I dont see this changing when he transfers to PIP as he needs high levels of support with everything
Lots of my friends children with autism have got higher rates when they transferred over to PIP.

thank you - but it's been 20 years since the indefinite award and never been reassessed - with the sheer volume of new and resassessments needed - will we ever get 'to the top of the pile' - diagnosis is autistm which had got significantly worse since covid lockdowns and changes to our day to day lifes

But they rarely seem to ask at PIP assessments whether you care for another person. There are so many carers claiming PIP themselves yet claiming to care for someone else for 35 hours a week. the only time I have ever known someone asked about being a carer was at a PIP tribunal.

I don’t want to make any sweeping statements but I’ve never known anyone with a diagnosis of diabetes to be awarded

Adult DSD born very premature and suffered two brain haemorrhages at birth. She gets NHS optical vouchers because of poor eyesight. She can't hold down a job because she gets tired and she takes a long time to understand instructions. She was assessed for autism but was told in a letter from the consultant her issues were because of her brain damage.

She is really friendly and lovely and mostly independent and volunteers for a local charity. She lives with us but if she lived alone her dad would be round at least once a week to sort things out.

We and everyone else are telling her to apply for PIP but she puts it off until she "has time" and has planned in her head that she has to do various things first (like clear her room).
Would she get PIP?

This is all very accurate

@Impr90 The first and third assessors we had both said that if I went ahead and recorded the assessment then they'd terminate the call. The first one was very, very aggressive about it. The second assessor said that we'd have to reschedule if I recorded and the fourth didn't mind at all.
I'd just like to add that when I asked to complain about assessor 1 the DWP wouldn't give me any contact details for Capita or the assessor reference number etc.
Do you not think that all assessments should be recorded automatically?

How do you think it contradicts the ethics of the medical profession exactly ? There are rules and guidelines for assessors to follow and a good assessor will apply those rules fairly and without bias. I don’t see how that’s at odds at all.

I guess it would depend how it is affecting them. You can have diabetes and have had a leg amputation due to poor circulation or be unable to administer your own Insulin due to peripheral neuropathy or have gone blind due to diabetes. There are so many different variables and as people keep saying PIP is not awarded based on a diagnosis.

I have. It very much depends on the individual (individual has unstable (? brittle) diabetes that is very difficult to manage. They get low rate daily living)

I know i don't think he will because it doesn't affect his independence but children are eligible under DLA .
It I'd what it is .

I will never forget my assessment because there was someone who looked extremely unwell in the waiting room. They were terminally ill but had longer than 6 months left so had to go through the ordeal of explaining themselves like the rest of us. This poor person was wrapped up in a blanket in their wheelchair and could barely speak. It was such a cruel process.

Being very blunt, it’s a really shitty thing to put vulnerable people through and a truly horrible system. @Impr90 do you ever feel guilty about it?

No as not everyone wants to have their assessment recorded. Though may be better to have an opt out rather than an opt in system

It’s a question I always ask. I always check with single parents if the other parent is in the child’s life too. I know that might seem invasive but someone could say they have a 3 year old and that instantly gives the impression that they’re bathing/feeding/dressing/caring for them (and thus functioning adequately) when the reality might be that they’re at their Dad’s 3 nights a week and the gran’s another night.

I think the issue is that the background questions (known as social history) is at the discretion of the assessor. They can ask as little or as much as they want. If we had mandatory questions, with the option to expand and ask more, that would be ideal. There’s nothing like that at all.

Hi,

My partner applied as is neurodivergent. But they missed the three offered telephone assessments as they are adhd af. Do you have any ways you can adapt/support people to assessments who are neurodivergent. I know you can’t facilitate like home visits or anything but the current system doesn’t seem well designed for ND.

Thanks,

I don't expect medical professionals to lie. I assumed that was against the ethics of the medical professions.

I've no idea what I did there to underline it - apologies.

That's all very well but the only reason that some get out and about is due to the extra help they can buy with PIP. That's then used against you on review and don't say it isn't so because it is!

Go through the criteria and see where you think she'd score points. She needs 8-11 for standard and 12 points for enhanced rate

That’s good. I’d imagine there’s loss of consciousness associated with their condition in that case?