Page 13 | I’m a PIP assessor, happy to advise if I can

Impr90 · 2024-12-31T11:33:00+00:00

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

Britanniaa · 31/12/2024 13:30

Brefugee · 31/12/2024 13:26

you know that we can click on the "edited" button and read your nasty post, right?

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I deleted it for a reason - was not meant to be nasty - I just personally know of people who see it as so - their disability does not affect their life as much as they put on paper.

Original poster

Impr90 · 31/12/2024 13:31

Plastictrees · 31/12/2024 13:30

I’ve had many of my patients tell me this time and time again. From knowing my patients and knowing the system, I completely believe them.

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I don’t disbelieve it either but it’s still shocking and really appalling

OP posts:

CautiousLurker01 · 31/12/2024 13:31

Miley1967 · 31/12/2024 12:58

Could his mum not have been an appointee for him and spoken for him rather than put him through this distress?

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Yes, this was what I did. I was assessed and interviewed in our home by a DWP person to become an appointee. I wonder whether the application procedure needs to foreground this as a possibility so that more people can use it?

cutieee · 31/12/2024 13:32

Impr90 · 31/12/2024 13:22

Please don’t apologise! Do you have any means of getting in contact with a benefits advisor? They would be best placed to support you

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not particularly the queue times are awful and they never reply to my journal queries, the system is awful

MatildaTheCat · 31/12/2024 13:32

@Impr90 thank you for this thread.

I was awarded an indefinite award at higher rates for both components on appeal in 2016. It states that I cannot be reassessed until at least 2026- which is now not so far away.

Bearing in mind your enormous number of new applications do you have any thoughts on when I might actually be reassessed? It’s already worrying me.

My first assessor was very nice. The second was absolutely horrible. ( that’s when I went to appeal)

lazyarse123 · 31/12/2024 13:32

Ohwtfnow · 31/12/2024 13:16

Hi OP. I’ve had a chronic illness for 5 years that has slowly worsened and continues to get worse. I eventually started the PIP claim process a couple of years ago and was awarded the basic daily living component which I felt was a fair decision at the time. However, friends who also get PIP for similar keep telling me that I should be entitled to the mobility component too but I’m not sure if I am and would love your opinion:

I have pain in my legs and hips at all time but am fully able to walk and can walk for about half an hour. I’m in pain afterwards but not to the point that I can’t move or get up. In my head, that means that I’m mobile and not entitled to it. I don’t usually need walking aids (although I do occasionally when pain is particularly bad). However, fatigue is the main symptom of my illness and it is severe. Even sitting upright makes the fatigue much worse. Basically, doing anything other than lying down flat makes my fatigue far worse, to the point that I can’t do anything. Walking any distance other than the few metres to the bathroom and back to bed makes my fatigue much worse and makes me feel as though I have mild flu symptoms. HOWEVER, I have no choice but to go to work (only 20 hours per week) where obviously I walk around an sat upright the whole time. I have to do this because I cannot afford to live if I don’t work. The impact on my health is huge and my life consists of going to work and lying down at home, occasionally managing a lunch out with my partner, occasionally managing to make a meal (usually unable to cook). On a very very rare occasion (maybe 5 times in the past year) when I’ve been having a really good health week, I’ve even managed to go for a run for a mile or two - something I attempt a few times a year because I used to love running and miss it so much. Again, the impact on my health is enormous and a 2 miles slow run can mean that I spend the new few days lying flat all day feeling like I have flu. But at the time of actually running, it feels ok - not good like it used to, it feels hard but do-able. Does this mean that I have mobility issues? My friend says definitely because the impact on my health is huge if I walk or sit up, but because I have no option other to do those things I live my life with the severe symptoms that this causes. I think not because I walk and sit up every day because I have to do that. Yes, my symptoms are far worse as a consequence but I can still do it at the time so therefore I don’t count as having mobility issues.

In my limited experience they wouldn't give you extra. The minute you tell them you can do something no matter how agonising it is they will just say "you can do it, end of".
My ds has mh issues and while he can physically bath himself he doesn't ever because he just doesn't care about himself. He had a phone assessment and they decided that because he could speak clearly he was fine. The fact is they didn't see the quivering wreck he was before and after and that he was clinging onto me for dear life the entire time.
As a pp says they are evil bastards.

Rosscameasdoody · 31/12/2024 13:33

InMySpareTime · 31/12/2024 13:25

Why does a stick count as a navigation aid but a navigation device/app doesn't?

A stick doesn’t count as a navigation aid - it’s an aid to mobility. Navigation aids are specialist apps designed for disabled people. A standard navigation app designed for everyday use doesn’t count as they can be used by anyone.

Plastictrees · 31/12/2024 13:33

Impr90 · 31/12/2024 13:31

I don’t disbelieve it either but it’s still shocking and really appalling

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Is it shocking? Were you unaware of myriad reports and research which details many experiences in the same vein as this, prior to applying for your job?

These experiences are ubiquitous, sadly.

InMySpareTime · 31/12/2024 13:33

@TigerRag what if you need the navigation app in a way an able bodied person wouldn't?
I get confused about where I am and often need a mapping app to find my way back from places most people wouldn't consider "lost". If I don't have a map that locates me I need another person, but the app itself is a navigation and orientation device in exactly the same way a stick would be for a blind person.
Why does it not count?

Ohwtfnow · 31/12/2024 13:34

lazyarse123 · 31/12/2024 13:32

In my limited experience they wouldn't give you extra. The minute you tell them you can do something no matter how agonising it is they will just say "you can do it, end of".
My ds has mh issues and while he can physically bath himself he doesn't ever because he just doesn't care about himself. He had a phone assessment and they decided that because he could speak clearly he was fine. The fact is they didn't see the quivering wreck he was before and after and that he was clinging onto me for dear life the entire time.
As a pp says they are evil bastards.

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This is what I was thinking - they don’t seem to see anything other than black and white, so I don’t think I’ve even got a chance of it despite how badly my life is impacted. I’m so sorry that your DS had that experience.

Catpuss66 · 31/12/2024 13:34

Mikiamo · 31/12/2024 11:41

Why don't you pop along and read the thread currently in the AIBU section, about how someone's disabled son was treated during the PIP process.

I've never spoken to one person who has had a positive experience with a PIP assessor. What are you going to do that will make things different for applicants?

How will you meet your targets of turning people down if you are trying to help them?

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I have had a postive experience, stressful yes but that was me getting worked up. All went well. Professional took time to listen. Face 2 face interview took 2 hours. Being honest with information.

Differentstarts · 31/12/2024 13:35

Rosscameasdoody · 31/12/2024 13:19

No. There was talk a while back about employing specialist assessors for things like neurological conditions but assessors are not specialists so may not have personal knowledge of individual conditions. Remember, it’s not the diagnosis that matters, it’s the impact of your condition on daily life. And that last part is really offensive. Assessors don’t lie on reports, and they don’t ‘hate’ disabled people - they report as they find. Not everyone who applies for PIP will qualify - many seemingly severe conditions simply won’t meet the very strict criteria for PIP. That isn’t the fault of the individual assessor, they are following the rules and guidelines laid down as standard for all PIP assessments.

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Firstly i haven't said anything about the diagnosis but for e.g. when I say something along the lines of i can't shower or bath alone because of this condition and their reply is there is no medical evidence to suggest this well if the assessor understood something as basic as how blood vessels react in water and different temperatures they would understand why it's unsafe for me to do this alone. Secondly they do blatantly lie as when I put a complaint in asked to speak to a different assesor and asked for it to be recorded I got an apology and higher rate on both I didn't even have to go through mandatory consideration it was like a work of fiction. Someone else I knew had a in person home assessment and it was written they where witnessed walking up and down stairs with ease , they lived in a bungalow

Original poster

Impr90 · 31/12/2024 13:36

Plastictrees · 31/12/2024 13:33

Is it shocking? Were you unaware of myriad reports and research which details many experiences in the same vein as this, prior to applying for your job?

These experiences are ubiquitous, sadly.

Edited

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Of course not, it doesn’t make it any the less shocking that a health professional would behave in that manner. Knowing about something doesn’t make it less shocking

OP posts:

Rosscameasdoody · 31/12/2024 13:36

lazyarse123 · 31/12/2024 13:32

In my limited experience they wouldn't give you extra. The minute you tell them you can do something no matter how agonising it is they will just say "you can do it, end of".
My ds has mh issues and while he can physically bath himself he doesn't ever because he just doesn't care about himself. He had a phone assessment and they decided that because he could speak clearly he was fine. The fact is they didn't see the quivering wreck he was before and after and that he was clinging onto me for dear life the entire time.
As a pp says they are evil bastards.

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Why are you name calling. The assessors are complying with the rules and guidelines - which state that when considering whether an applicant can complete an activity the level of pain/discomfort/breathlessness should be considered, along with any painkillers necessary before undertaking the activity. Similarly they have to consider whether it can be done safely (without injury to self or others, reliably, and as often is required throughout the day. If you have any doubt as to whether any of this has been omitted you should appeal the decision - especially as it was a phone interview and the assessor won’t have had the opportunity to observe.

Plastictrees · 31/12/2024 13:36

Impr90 · 31/12/2024 13:36

Of course not, it doesn’t make it any the less shocking that a health professional would behave in that manner. Knowing about something doesn’t make it less shocking

Edited

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When are you going to answer my other questions that I have already re-posted?

Original poster

Impr90 · 31/12/2024 13:38

Plastictrees · 31/12/2024 13:36

When are you going to answer my other questions that I have already re-posted?

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Sorry it’s really hard to keep up and there’s a lot going on at home. I’ll try to find it now

OP posts:

Miley1967 · 31/12/2024 13:38

Pilgrimgirl · 31/12/2024 13:26

My dh submitted forms for a review of his PIP to the Preston, Lancashire area branch in September and we still haven't heard anything. He's been on standard rate since 2019 for mental health issues. He's been under the care of the local psychosis team for 3 years, the maximum time you can be with them and he's now under the care of the local Community mental health team. He's on a cocktail of meds including anti psychotic meds and he had a social care assessment carried out where it was assessed that he needs lots of assistance. We now get a budget from the local council for respite care so I can have a break as his full time carer. We have also been provided with a peer support worker from a local charity who visits once a week to accompany him on a short, local walk as he will not leave the house alone and earlier this year the DWP sent an officer round to the house at their instigation, to interview both him and me and then made me his official DWP Appointee. I have sent evidence of all this to PIP, it cost a fortune in photocopies and postage and I'm absolutely terrified that he won't get granted it again. Also, as it's taking so long for them to look at his case, will they ask us to re submit everything in case anything has changed by the time they look at it? Thanks

PIP reviews are taking longer than a year in some areas. I have one client who has not long received a review decision from forms sent back in July 2023. They are taking so long because the system is overwhelmed with so many new claimants.

Britanniaa · 31/12/2024 13:39

Rosscameasdoody · 31/12/2024 13:36

Why are you name calling. The assessors are complying with the rules and guidelines - which state that when considering whether an applicant can complete an activity the level of pain/discomfort/breathlessness should be considered, along with any painkillers necessary before undertaking the activity. Similarly they have to consider whether it can be done safely (without injury to self or others, reliably, and as often is required throughout the day. If you have any doubt as to whether any of this has been omitted you should appeal the decision - especially as it was a phone interview and the assessor won’t have had the opportunity to observe.

Edited

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Which is why being an assessor has to be given clear information and recommend the award of PIP to those who truly need it - sadly some are borderline cases and would not get an award - perhaps these people can get a direct payment from their Council ??

Plastictrees · 31/12/2024 13:39

Rosscameasdoody · 31/12/2024 13:36

Why are you name calling. The assessors are complying with the rules and guidelines - which state that when considering whether an applicant can complete an activity the level of pain/discomfort/breathlessness should be considered, along with any painkillers necessary before undertaking the activity. Similarly they have to consider whether it can be done safely (without injury to self or others, reliably, and as often is required throughout the day. If you have any doubt as to whether any of this has been omitted you should appeal the decision - especially as it was a phone interview and the assessor won’t have had the opportunity to observe.

Edited

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I think that is the crux of the issue though - the rules and guidelines need to change. This is what has happened in Scotland. From my understanding, the changes have been largely positive.

I think it would be very stressful to work as an assessor under the DWP. It seems like a pressured and difficult job for many reasons, and I suppose the pay reflects this.

Brefugee · 31/12/2024 13:40

Britanniaa · 31/12/2024 13:30

I deleted it for a reason - was not meant to be nasty - I just personally know of people who see it as so - their disability does not affect their life as much as they put on paper.

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and i was pointing out to you that it isn't deleted and we can read what you wrote (which was nasty)

I was trying to help you not do this in future, we can see what you wrote. If you want to get your (nasty) post deleted you have to report it and ask mn to delete for you. I prefer posters to have the courage of their convictions or apologise for nastiness. This is the internet. YMMV

Shityshitybangbang · 31/12/2024 13:41

Plastictrees · Today 13:24
definitely, I was dreading that phone call for weeks. It’s stress I could have being doing without. So when I got my reward letter I was so pleased. Our finances have taken a big hit this year as Iv went from 38 hours to 16. Xx

Rosscameasdoody · 31/12/2024 13:41

Differentstarts · 31/12/2024 13:35

Firstly i haven't said anything about the diagnosis but for e.g. when I say something along the lines of i can't shower or bath alone because of this condition and their reply is there is no medical evidence to suggest this well if the assessor understood something as basic as how blood vessels react in water and different temperatures they would understand why it's unsafe for me to do this alone. Secondly they do blatantly lie as when I put a complaint in asked to speak to a different assesor and asked for it to be recorded I got an apology and higher rate on both I didn't even have to go through mandatory consideration it was like a work of fiction. Someone else I knew had a in person home assessment and it was written they where witnessed walking up and down stairs with ease , they lived in a bungalow

Show quote history

I’ve actually come across cases where assessors have mixed up claimants’ details on parts of reports. The observation of claimants climbing stairs when they live in a flat or bungalow has come up a couple of times in my experience too. My own assessment for PIP included a full page report on the range of movement in my limbs, including percentage figures for bending and flexing, and grip. I had sat in my wheelchair the whole time and the assessor hadn’t touched me !! When I queried it, it turned out to be a mix up. I’ve also come across claimants who insist that assessors have lied, because they simply don’t agree with what’s on the report, and don’t see their condition as reflected by what the assessor has written. I don’t doubt that there are bad assessors, but I don’t think everything is necessarily down to actually lying about a claimant.

Pilgrimgirl · 31/12/2024 13:43

@Miley1967 thank you for that information. Did your client have to resubmit everything when they finally looked at their review form or did they just go off what was sent in 2023?

CoubousAndTourmalet · 31/12/2024 13:44

I'd like to know how it's possible for someone to score zero on every component when they have no independence whatsoever and can barely leave their home due to crippling anxiety and agoraphobia. The assessor concluded that the person "didn't sound anxious" during the phone assessment, that they remained "calm and polite" and thus concluded that they had the ability to plan and execute a journey by themselves. This person hasn't travelled more than a mile from home in 10 years, their life is severely compromised, they struggle to speak to anyone and rely on their partner for everything. How can this score zero? And why would being polite and articulate during the phone assessment indicate no mental health issues? She asks that if she were to reapply, is it better to scream, shout and swear instead of answering coherently? Would she then be taken more seriously?

berksandbeyond · 31/12/2024 13:44

Have you ever considered a more socially acceptable job role like being a traffic warden or dictator?