AIBU to ask if anyone here is a face to face assessor for PIP/ESA etc

[DeloresJaneUmbridge]

I just think it would be interesting to hear your viewpoint on things.

I read absolute horror stories which concern me as I have to go through it all soon with DS. I’ve just completed his PIP form as he wouldn’t be capable of doing it,

I am fairly certain he will be called for a face to face assessment. I am his appointee .

My worry is that he may not engage with the assessor at all. He may or may not make eye contact, he may answer or he may not (which is no problem as I can answer), he may pace up and down or he might sit quietly.

Obviously I have out all of this on the PIP form (he is autistic with learning difficulties so needs someone with him).

If you’re an assessor how on earth do you assess people like this accurately? It can’t be an easy task.

I am not of the opinion that assessors are out to catch people out but I do wonder how in 60 mins they can get an accurate understanding of someone.

I don't think an assessor is going to come on here and tell you how they assess.

I'm interested in this. I'll have to go through it with my autistic son when he transfers from dla to pip. He wouldn't answer questions or engage either so it does worry me.

I'm not but I have a friend who was and she stuck it for about 15 months before it nearly broke her. She's a fair, kind person and tried her best but the workload expected of her was too much, she was treated badly. As part of my job I help people to apply and we do have some people who are turned down and my team help them to appeal but to be fair the majority get awarded PIP without any problems with the correct medical evidence submitted. I think PIP assessors have a very difficult job - they see people for an hours snapshot and have to put in their report based on what they observe and are told in that hour and the medical letters/ reports they have in front of them. I think you will be fine if you submit plenty of medical evidence supporting what your son's problems are. The assessment is just questions based on what you have written on the form.

I'd be surprised if anyone admitted to it considering I've seen other posters say that pip assessors deserve a special place in hell for them.

But you never know.

Not just medical evidence. EHCPs, statements, IEBPs, IBPs, details of the type of school they attended, risk assessments for behaviour at school if they have one, additional info from support staff if at college etc, any support you get from agencies. Good luck

My son was awarded PIP in November. He had been received DLA however this had lapsed for 1 year (another story). As he is now 18 we applied and it went very smoothly. I only had initial diagnosis assessments info (from 12years ago). Like you I filled out the forms and read the answers to him to make sure he agreed with what I had written. I was dreading the assessment, but he was awarded PIP for 4 years without assessment.

I honestly don’t think they are there to catch people out. I totally understand that they have to fill forms in and assess as they see it at the time.

I just hope I get one who understands autism,

My dsis has a life limiting neurological condition.

Her assessor awarded her lower rate PIP and lower rate mobility component.

She has an electric bed/armchair. Can’t walk, can’t wash/dress herself. Can’t prepare food/drinks. Chokes on food/drinks so needs someone there 24/7.

She finds it increasingly difficult to speak now. Day by day she’s losing herself.

She appealed and has been awarded higher rate now.

Go armed with as much medical evidence you can get. Can you get help from a welfare rights advisor?

Good luck.

Just also be aware those that are lurking that they do contact you a year before your award runs out, to get you to complete renewal forms.

So it may say for example a 3 year award, but you will actually be contacted after 2. I have seen numerous people caught out by it.

My experience of a PIP assessment is very different it pp on this thread.

I sent in all my medical evidence confirming there was no cure for my condition, also explaining how disabling it is etc.

Lots of evidence.

The PIP assessor didn’t look at it .

They failed to report my full answers so it swung the report in favour of no award.

They wrongly stated which arm I used during the assessment and then reported that it was inconsistent with what I was declaring . (Calling me a liar ) .

They made mistakes in the report , referring to me as a “he” and also copied and pasted the same drivel in the report for every section .

I lost my entire award

I’m going to tribunal and if I win, I’m intending to make a complaint about the assessment .

I got refused for being able to make eye contact and holding a basic conversation. I have aspergers syndrome and some mental health problems and a very bad back. Im now waiting for my tribunal. I would tell anyone on a low income to try and make other financial arrangements. I'm now looking at going to a food bank and am in debt due to not being able to pay my bills. Its making me feel very desperate.

My point is it sounds like your son will fit the criteria well.

I had it, ans lost all my daily living points in the last one in November even though I’ve now got a mental health diagnosis on top
Of all my physical problems. My assessment was wall of lies- I drive every day, I dont own a car, don’t my dads car for appointments, but she never asked. No problems with meds- my meds are taken off me by family when my mood is high or low, but she never asked. No problems with nUte Orion, I ate maybe 3 times a week at most, I wasn’t asked. Can deal with complex money skills- as my psychiatrist recommend my finance is in the hands of my dp, but she never asked!
One that really annoyed me was the statement that I was ‘intellectual and understood my conditions’- ask me when I’m unwell! Besides it was almost saying that if we are of intellect we can’t be that unwell. Also I looked presentable and well
Dressed. Dp had spent an hour getting me into the shower, and I was in pj’s. He didn’t stay with me because I wouldn’t allow it- because I was hypermanic, my mood was high. Mentioned nothing of this in the assessment. Said I was fine.

Sorry had to get that off my chest. Apologies for any spelling mistakes. Currently getting everything ready to send off for a mandatory reconsideration. Then to prepare for tribunal.

Sorry that one should read no problems with nutrition

Jeepers that’s not filling me with confidence

Are they just overworked so that reports get mixed up?

Terrible to read the mistakes being made in reports but I am hearing that from so many quarters since I started reading.

I suspect they will want to see DS but they won’t get much from the assesssment as much of his stuff is variable. It’s if he has a meltdown that he struggles and needs safeguarding as he self harms or he bolts.

All the online stuff I have done say he needs enhanced care and mobility but I sincerely doubt he will be awarded enhanced rate for either because on initial glance he doesn’t oook disabked.

Await the result and see what his award is. If you think it is incorrect contact your local Citizens Advice (CA). Assuming your local CA is ok for funding at the moment, they can assess any appeal for you.

Assessors come from variety of backgrounds, some are well qualified, some less so. But there is an appeals process. I am not defending the system: its all pants, but take one step at a time. Good luck!

Hi OP - posting quickly as it's late but I'm a welfare rights case manager and can give you some advice. Will login tomorrow

HRTFT so apologies if someone else hs said this.
Can I suggest that you record your f2f? the rules for recording are you have to let them know in advance you will be recording, you need to take 2 tape recorders and sealed cassettes which you open in front of them, you keep one recording they have the other.
it seems when people do this they don't have any fabrications on their awards and the bonus is if you do have to appeal you have proof of what was said at your initial assessment.