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Original poster

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

565 replies

Impr90 · 31/12/2024 11:33

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

OP posts:
Rosscameasdoody · 02/01/2025 13:48

x2boys · 02/01/2025 11:29

There are also people that take the mick though I have said this on other threads I'm o n various Facebook groups for Children on DLA and I see regularly people putting in claims for very tenuous reasons with zero evidence it's frustrating and clogs up the systems for genuine claimants

Show quote history

I do agree with this - and yes, I think application should be dependent on medical evidence to support the claim because having seen some of the TIk tok videos coaching people in how to apply for the most spurious of reasons, I think it goes beyond taking the mick. These are benefits which were originally intended to support those with significant and permanent conditions. Bit by bit over the years, that’s been watered down - in part due to the redefinition of disability under the 2010 Equality Act - and it seems now that lots of people just consider it free money waiting to be claimed if they can twist their condition to fit.

Bushmillsbabe · 02/01/2025 18:05

TigerRag · 02/01/2025 08:49

PIP only has 2 levels of care. DLA has 3 levels for care.

I do feel that more levels are needed too. 8 points is actually quite a lot.

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Thanks, yes was thinking of DLA as I also support families around applying for this

CalicoPusscat · 02/01/2025 18:12

I'm sorry I haven't read through the whole thread.

But my cousin was one of the easiest people on the planet for PIP he was screaming his head off in the waiting room at his father. Absolutely not contrived but genuine, autism. The assessor didn't want to spend more than 5 minutes in the room with him when she came out came out to call him in. So approved, stamp. It varies for different people.

Bushmillsbabe · 02/01/2025 18:18

@PIPnamechanged can't they just refuse to even consider it if no supporting information, and no professionals listed?

I appreciate that it doesn't take a diagnosis to apply for pip, but there needs to be some evidence, even if it's from a social worker for example?

FortunateCatsGlugDaquirisAllEveningBlindly · 02/01/2025 20:34

Bushmillsbabe · 01/01/2025 19:10

A few of us on here have said our assessments were fine. But it's a difficult process no matter no professionally and supportively it's done. Questions such as 'can you wipe your own bottom' 'can you wash under your arms' etc are part of the assessment as they are core functional daily activities. But no one likes answering these types of questions, they feel rude, intrusive and highlight your own difficulties and sadness around having lost independence. It's feels like a test which is stressful. My assessor was pleasant, allowed me to take breaks when I became overwhelmed and produced a very fair (tbh she was much more 'generous' than I thought she would have been when I got my award. But it was really tough, I cried for days after as it was so painful to explain to a stranger just how much independence I had lost. I swore that I would never put myself through that again, I wouldn't reapply as it harmed my mental health, and that was nothing to do with the assessor. Fortunately that was 3+ years ago and I haven't been asked to do a reassessment yet.

If you asked people 'did you enjoy having a tooth out' 'did you enjoy taking your driving test', the vast majority (apart from my crazy DH who weirdly enjoys the dentist) will say no, it was hard/,stressful/horrible. I have a kind professional dentist but I absolutely hate going to see her due to my fears and previous experiences, I would never say I had a good experience.

Yes, I agree some people will have had uncaring/unprofessional assessors, or course they will, there are bad apples in every job. But for many, it's a horrible experience due to the pain of talking to a stranger about your challenges rather than due to them being an inherently mean person.

Show quote history

Mine refused to cover up a flashing light that would and did cause a seizure and then denied that the seizure happened.
I would say that was more than inherently mean.
I cried because I couldn’t believe anyone would be so absolutely shitty, and at the tribunal with relief when they didn’t challenge the final appeal and it was over at long bloody last.

Bushmillsbabe · 02/01/2025 21:36

FortunateCatsGlugDaquirisAllEveningBlindly · 02/01/2025 20:34

Mine refused to cover up a flashing light that would and did cause a seizure and then denied that the seizure happened.
I would say that was more than inherently mean.
I cried because I couldn’t believe anyone would be so absolutely shitty, and at the tribunal with relief when they didn’t challenge the final appeal and it was over at long bloody last.

Show quote history

That's terrible, I can't understand why they would do that, I'm sorry you went through that.

Maybe my perspective is slightly different to many as my assessment was via video call due to covid, so maybe it was slightly easier as in my own home. I think that option should be offered to people routinely.

Bushmillsbabe · 02/01/2025 21:44

It has been an interesting thread for me to follow, as I have considered becoming an assessor - as a childrens physio I would be qualified, and when I am physically unable to do my job even parttime I thought this could be an option.

But I have never been a strict rule follower, I tend to work creatively to meet the identified need, so it's been eye opennning to see how restrictive it is being an assessor, I will have to think again.

x2boys · 02/01/2025 21:55

Bushmillsbabe · 02/01/2025 18:18

@PIPnamechanged can't they just refuse to even consider it if no supporting information, and no professionals listed?

I appreciate that it doesn't take a diagnosis to apply for pip, but there needs to be some evidence, even if it's from a social worker for example?

Not sure about PIP but my child has been receiving DLA for over t en years I think the decision makers have to consider every claim even when it's clear there is no evidence to back it up this obviously clogs up the system .

AllTheChaos · 03/01/2025 16:54

ARichtGoodDram · 31/12/2024 12:08

It’s absolutely worth appealing a MR.

An appeal panel is made up of a legal bod who is the chair of the panel and a Dr. Both are independent of the DWP. Sometimes there will also be a disability rights person on the panel as well.

You don’t go to a court as such. It’s held in a tribunals place. In the two cities near me they are basically big building with lots of rooms.

The DWP can send someone as well to represent their side at the appeal. They’ve done that in about 50% of appeals I’ve been to.

The panel ask questions about the impact of the disability and make their decisions from there. They’ll often also request medical evidence before the tribunal (my GP for example will now only reply to the appeal panel and not the DWP generally as they see it as a waste of time as they often have to do both).

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This is very useful, thank you

Rosscameasdoody · 03/01/2025 19:03

ViolinsPlayGentlyOn · 01/01/2025 18:18

@Rosscameasdoody Lying in the report about someone refusing to be examined isn’t a difference in opinion about severity. It also was clearly not a mistake as everything else in that paragraph was definitely related to that review.

I’ve queried this aspect a few times, because every time it’s come up on a report, it’s always worded in the same way. My own PIP assessor didn’t ask to examine me - never actually laid a hand on me, and the interview (home assessment) was conducted with me in my wheelchair throughout. Somehow she managed to write two pages of information on how far I could bend, flex and rotate each joint - including angles - and this included the supposed full rotation of an ankle that’s been fixed, fused and immobile since early childhood, as well as full rotation of the ankle the other side on what is an artificial limb below the knee !! This was in addition to it being noted on the report that I had refused to be physically examined - never did figure that out.

I was happy with the award, but I did report the errors, which were eventually corrected. I was advised that the software used by the assessor to record the answers is limited, and that if the assessor doesn’t physically examine the claimant for any reason, the system can record it as the claimant refusing to be examined. No idea whether that’s true or not.

PIPnamechanged · 03/01/2025 20:30

@Rosscameasdoody

What you’re referring to is the MSO (musculoskeletal overview) examination. There are three options that the assessor can choose and it is mandatory that one is chosen.

  1. The claimant consented to examination (then all of the findings would be included).
  2. No MSO was required (such as in the case of MH issues where physical movement is irrelevant).
  3. The claimant declined examination (too sore, or just didn’t want to).

Apart from when #2 is selected, the assessor can free type to elaborate on their choice. You’d maybe write that the person declined because they were too sore that day or didn’t have time or whatever.

So yes, the software is limited, but free typing can give a lot of context for when the DM reads over the report.

WinterCoatsHelp · 03/01/2025 20:42

PIPnamechanged · 03/01/2025 20:30

@Rosscameasdoody

What you’re referring to is the MSO (musculoskeletal overview) examination. There are three options that the assessor can choose and it is mandatory that one is chosen.

  1. The claimant consented to examination (then all of the findings would be included).
  2. No MSO was required (such as in the case of MH issues where physical movement is irrelevant).
  3. The claimant declined examination (too sore, or just didn’t want to).

Apart from when #2 is selected, the assessor can free type to elaborate on their choice. You’d maybe write that the person declined because they were too sore that day or didn’t have time or whatever.

So yes, the software is limited, but free typing can give a lot of context for when the DM reads over the report.

Out of interest, what does the MSO test? I'm getting that it's to do with range of motion, but my issue is that my range of motion is too big, causing a multitude of issues. I'm not sure someone who wasn't a trained physio would register that though, I'd probably just get marked as "has full range of motion"

PIPnamechanged · 03/01/2025 21:07

WinterCoatsHelp · 03/01/2025 20:42

Out of interest, what does the MSO test? I'm getting that it's to do with range of motion, but my issue is that my range of motion is too big, causing a multitude of issues. I'm not sure someone who wasn't a trained physio would register that though, I'd probably just get marked as "has full range of motion"

Show quote history

It tests ROM, as you mention. How well someone can flex/extend/rotate/bend/grip.

It’s actually almost defunct now, in my experience. They aren’t done over the phone so you’d only be asked to do one if you were seen face to face or via video link.

Is it hypermobility you have? An MSO would actually be useful for you as you could show how abnormal your ROM was. Definitely don’t assume that the assessor will pick up on it though, remind them that your ROM is still abnormal, because it is too large.

WinterCoatsHelp · 03/01/2025 21:36

PIPnamechanged · 03/01/2025 21:07

It tests ROM, as you mention. How well someone can flex/extend/rotate/bend/grip.

It’s actually almost defunct now, in my experience. They aren’t done over the phone so you’d only be asked to do one if you were seen face to face or via video link.

Is it hypermobility you have? An MSO would actually be useful for you as you could show how abnormal your ROM was. Definitely don’t assume that the assessor will pick up on it though, remind them that your ROM is still abnormal, because it is too large.

Show quote history

Yeah, amongst a lot of other stuff! Also means I can put my hands over my head, but if I stay like that I black out lol
Thanks. I've only ever had phone assessments, but it's good to know in case I have to go in person at any point.

Rosscameasdoody · 04/01/2025 15:01

PIPnamechanged · 03/01/2025 20:30

@Rosscameasdoody

What you’re referring to is the MSO (musculoskeletal overview) examination. There are three options that the assessor can choose and it is mandatory that one is chosen.

  1. The claimant consented to examination (then all of the findings would be included).
  2. No MSO was required (such as in the case of MH issues where physical movement is irrelevant).
  3. The claimant declined examination (too sore, or just didn’t want to).

Apart from when #2 is selected, the assessor can free type to elaborate on their choice. You’d maybe write that the person declined because they were too sore that day or didn’t have time or whatever.

So yes, the software is limited, but free typing can give a lot of context for when the DM reads over the report.

That clarifies a bit. I was actually never asked to consent to a physical examination though, so I’ve never been able to figure out how the assessor wrote such detailed information about my range of movement (with such glaring mistakes) when she noted that I had refused to be physically examined. My assessment was 2019 though, so possibly this isn’t an issue if F2F assessments are not routine anymore.

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