Video assessment or phone- PIP

[Orangesandlemons77]

PIP have offered a video assessment for my PIP review but I have asked to change to a phone call- wondering if should have left it

Would a video assessment be better perhaps? Any thoughts welcome. My gut reaction is it would be more stressful but on the other hand maybe it would be better in that they can see you more.

It gives you some evidence as to what/how you said. I've heard that assessors behave differently when they are being recorded.

OK I might ring about the recording tomorrow, thanks.

Now thinking I should have stuck with the video call, argh. Not sure if it is possible to change again. I don't like being on screen, not sure why really. I think I'd find a phone call easier. But like pp say might be better.

A friend was saying it's difficult filling the pip form as she's due one soon to fill. She doesn't know how to write how her illness or disability effects her unable to do things. Is there a book she can read to give her ideas or is it best to go to CAB

There are sites online which can help, might be one linked to her condition of I think CAB do one.

I have managed to get it changed back to a video appt, thought this might be better, and it is in a couple of days time so I can get it over with without having to wait another week.

It is first thing in the morning so I will do doubt look terrible (just turned on my computer video thing and it confirmed this) which might be helpful I guess!

I think it's wrong they go by these things really, but that is the way it is sometimes.

There may be a village agent who will help her to fill it in if she is rural. I think CAB and Age Concern will help too.

It is tricky to turn the questions round and everyone is different.

Just noticed they have asked the GP to fill in a form- it is on the NHS app
Have not seen the GP in ages but have had a couple referrals with other doctors so hope it is OK.

It is all e-consult at the doctors now but I could send an admin message saying if they need to get in touch, not sure what to do. They do have my medical summary etc of course

My GP called my daughter in for an appointment when he got the form as he hadn't seen her in years.

That's good, maybe mine will give me a ring. It's the 'named' GP but not the one I have seen recently unfortunately.

I'm kind od surprised they are asking to be honest, I already sent them a medical summary from the surgery with the review forms and have been on PIP for years so they should have lots of info.

I think it's routine. They contacted my son's social worker and mother's doctor too.

I wish I had someone I knew a bit better to be honest. GPs have never been the same since Covid, so had to just out my 'named' GP. I doubt they would know how I was affected in terms of PIP - maybe they just need the meds and diagnoses confirmed. Trying not to stress but it's not easy.

Orangesandlemons77
How did it go?

It sort of went OK. I got the medical report yesterday and got the same kind of award as before but less points for some stuff. Only for 18 months though as they seem to think CBT will cure me. Last one was for 6 yrs. I'm not sure I can face challenging that, though.

Thank you so much everyone one for your advice. God bless

Sorry to hear the mixed success - just sit with it for a while, as you need to recover from the whole experience before being able to make a decision. 18 months seems ridiculous and CBT is very much not a cure for CFS/ME, so can't understand that reasoning........not even supposed to be prescribed (although I'm another one who has been)...

I am thinking could do an mr/appeal on the length of award only, while it is still in payment, the worse they can say is no, although I need to check this out first.

Maybe they are giving shorter awards so that they can then re-assess people under the changed criteria. This is what the cynical part of me is thinking although I know the changes are still haven't been passed yet.

They have also downgraded me from 4 points in 2 sections to two so I was thinking the same about that. I am unsure whether to challenge that given I seem to still have 12 points or just leave it

I reckon there will me many more appeals for the 4 points if the changes come in

I guess what I could do is just keep it all stress free as much as possible, not spend too much time on the MR (as have no new evidence and they usually stay the same anyway) then do a written appeal

Have a bot of experience in this as last time they tried for 18 months too but at that stage the DWP rang and were far more flexible, granting the 6 yrs before it had to go to appeal.

the worst thing that could happen is they say 'no'- well I suppose they might change my award in general but that would be unlikely I think.

I will have a think about it. I guess I would still be getting paid the care amount in the meantime so that would be Ok even if the process took forever, it would just be going on 'in the background' which is better than the whole thing being cut etc and then waiting for a backpay.

Guess I could also contest the 4 points scores perhaps if I have the energy. We'll see. They were granted by an Appeal previously

The problems arise when you have had an appeal and the next time you get a review the assessor takes no notice of that and instead uses the previous (overturned) report

I think that is where my 18 months and 2 points scores have come from as it does say about they were given previously

Do you have 4 points in any category? I think that's what the rule changes will require. If not I would challenge.

I did have 4 points in two areas which have been downgraded to 2. The thing is that even if the appeal process changes it back it probably won't matter to my next review because they will use this medical report anyway and also it won't change my award this time so I'm not sure if it's worth challenging. It's such a minefield and who knows what will happen with the changes anyway.

I'll have to think about it

@Orangesandlemons77 I have my phone assessment tomorrow morning at 9am. I'm actually dreading it. I have the addition of severe copd since the last review, but who knows how they'll work it. Luckily I have an appointment with my cbt counsellor the day after. Think I'll need it. Lol. I'm really frightened of getting less points tbh, just hoping I get a really lovely, honest health professional who recommends a much longer award. Hope you win at the mr, if you decide to do one. xo