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

How long have you been in the role? I’ve heard it’s one of the highest turnover jobs and barely anyone sticks at it due to high pressure to submit work cases etc

Hi, I’m sorry to hear of your diagnosis. When you say you’re hoping to improve your walking, what do you mean by this?

I have a similar condition and no, it doesn't stop your claim.

Could you be more specific as to what you mean by struggle? Thanks

The assessors write the report even if it totally contradicts the evidence which happened to me

Also happened to me. Said I said things I never said and said I could do things that I said I couldn't do.

I don’t have any figures but I can certainly have a look. I definitely award more people than I don’t but I don’t know where that sits against other assessors

Yes I have a severely disabled child who gets the highest rates of DLA I Dont think blaming an individual who is doing their jobs fair though
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The DWP make the decision based on what the PIP assessor has said in their report. If the report consists of lies, then the claim will be turned down.

Anyone can say they’re anything on the internet. I hope nobody here makes decisions or fills in forms based on advice from some random who could be anyone. Take care trusting anything posted here.

Your hyperbole is staggering!

I had to leave my previous workplace because it had become so dangerous due to low staffing. I persevered for as long as I could because I didn’t want to exacerbate the problem even further but it eventually became untenable

When I first applied I had just had an enormous relapse (around 6 months earlier) and was very severely affected. My walking has improved enough to walk short distances but I want to be able to engage fully with physio and rehab to enable me to have a life. However will this mean that I'll be considered too 'well' for PIP? I'm only ever a flare or relapse away from being bedridden.

Are you a decision-maker or an assessor? I thought the assessors write the reports but it’s the DWP decison-maker who makes the final decisions, so how are you awarding people PIP as an assessor?

That isn't PIP.

This is lovely to hear. I’m so glad you had a good experience

I did too. I'm my dd's appointee and when she moved from DLA to PIP the assessor was really good, prompting me to use certain wording and asking leading questions in order for me to give 'good' answers that I wouldn't have thought to give myself. I didn't need to submit any evidence and she got it on an ongoing basis.

OP: my question is: how closely does the description/answers on the application form have to match what the person says at assessment. A friend of mine took a form to an advice centre to be filled in and the responses do not in any way represent what the situation is. Eg, she can't leave the house, cook a meal or plan a journey. In the cooking question, it just said "X gets help from her daughter with the shopping". When she gets assessed her answer is going to be very different, does this matter?

And if nobody's did the job nobody would get PIP.

Yes but the assessor on here can’t tell that poster if her wanting to walk more will remove her claim.

That’s great. I hope you’re feeling better soon

Is it really? I actually support people through the process and I work in disability rights. I'm also disabled. I'm not exaggerating anything and the things I have seen and experienced are absolutely shocking.

You’re not an assessor if you award people?

assessors assess. Decision makers award (or not)

This was my first thought.

As much as the OP could be....I don't know....a teddy bear psychiatrist or something, it's not fair to blame them for everything that's ever gone wrong when someone's applied for PIP! 🤦‍♀️

It is a ridiculous thread but still.

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/success-rates
This isnt totally up to date, but it shows the % awards made in each category last year.

first time i applied, it was a half hearted attempt, i took no advice and quite rightly was rejected and i never appealed.

second time i applied, i had asisstance from someone at the local council, i did loads of research online and soon learned its not what you say, its how you say it! i was expecting another 'no' but after a great assessent with someone who was actually a Physiotherapist and had a good understanding of my condition i was given the lowest award.