With PIP assessor?

[Yellowskies1988]

Hi. Wife has huntingtons disease. Although she is able bodied still, she has quote a mauling job. She has been dropping things alot latley, plates, full glasses, mugs etc. Forgetfulness... Alot of signs of the onset of the illness... She has applied for less physical work but I assume once huntingtons is one her application I would imagine most employers wouldn't really want her to work there. If she doesn't put it on the application then it's not really fair. Bit of a bad situation really. ANYWAY...

Anyway the assessor came today and asked my wife "what are the symptoms to huntingtons disease"

I'm I just overreacting or should they had done a little research before hand as she broughty wife's claim papers with her.

I wasn't in at the time of the assessment. My wife told me when I got home.

They do this kind of thing to asses her insight and cognitive function, whether she can give a good medical history. I think. I mean they should have the main symptoms from the form, anyway. I wish you well with the PIP.

It is a shame you didn't go in with her to support her, that can help.

I agree with the PP. in future at any sort of medical/ benefit appointment or assessment I would recommend that you try to be there and contribute as it can really help to get your points across.

Best wishes.

these things dont go on diagnosis, they go on need and symptoms. I know this is frustrating, but you cant just go in and say youve got huntingdons, and they say ok. You need to tell them the individual reasons you are disabled by it

The PIP assessment basically can end up being their case against yours at times...so anything to contradict what is said on the form. "You said you had poor cognitive function but at assessment demonstrated a sound knowledge of your condition and performed well in cognitive tests' - that kind of thing. You need to be aware of this.

@USER87382294757 it's a shame that you have this opinion. Assuming I didn't ask my wife or the assessor if they wanted me around! I asked her several times and the assessor once too. I actually took our son out to play so my wife could talk in peace

It's based on experience. I'm sorry you feel like that, I agree PIP is not a pleasant process, but I am just giving my experience of claiming PIP over a claim and a two reassessments, which ended successfully - having gone through that several times I'm well aware of what they can be like.

I wouldn't worry about that - I think they tend to ask questions that they already have the answers to. It can get the conversation going, help them find out how your wife is affected by her condition. Also I think they will want to make sure that what she has put in the claim form matches what she is saying in the interview. Hope it goes well.

So you asked the assessor and they said they didn't need you there? Hmm. You really can't trust them. I'm sorry OP i was not trying to criticise, just be very wary of these assessors. So many people get caught out by them. I do hope it goes OK, you can ask for a copy of the report they wrote.

The assessment is all based on components. You need to hit certain criteria within each component to be awarded. If you are claiming for enhanced then there is more criteria to meet. So for instance they might ask as part of the daily living component can she cook for herself and she says no, I can't hold a knife and cut vegetables, yet she says she knits in her spare time, she will not meet that specific criteria because she has the cognitive function to knit etc. She might not be awarded the daily living but could be awarded the mobility and vice versa.

i think user87 is just being savvy OP. Some PIP assessors are fine, but there are loads that will fuck you over to save their employer money. They specifically employ people who are willing to do this.
Saying that, I got PIP for my son with a lovely assessor, but I also know people who were turned down completely and totally unfairly, and weve all seen it on the news too

PIP assessors do not make the decision about whether someone is awarded benefits. They complete an assessment within a structured framework and supply a report. Many assessors will write a report using the claimants own words to avoid accusations of inaccurate reporting and bias with happens regularly when claims do not go in the claimants favour.
I am not defending this particular assessor as I wasn't there but I do know people who have done this job. Many feel frustrated that the process isn't for for purpose. Hope you get a fair outcome.

It is very rare for the DWP not to take the points of the PIP assessors report. So, in effect the result will be based on the assessor. If they have little other evidence though it can be quite easy to argue against. Having consultants letters, care plan, anything like that can help. Meds lists. It is all about evidence.

I agree with a pp that the question was more about them getting an idea of how the illness/disability has an effect on day to day life. Things are not awarded on a condition basis but what assistance they require because of it.

Good luck, it is certainly a job I wouldn't choose to do.

OP in case this is helpful there is online advice specific to your wife's condition here. www.hda.org.uk/getting-help/if-youre-showing-symptoms/getting-financial-help

Over 70% of appeals are successful so if you don't get awarded (or a decent award) it may be good to think about appealing.

Thanks for the advice guys. @user87382294757 I wasn't trying to be brash or anything. I should have included in the OP that I was taking our son out. Their is a 8-10 week wait.

Fingers crossed. I just thought it was a strange question to ask given the severity of HD. 🙂

We actually had something similar where DH was not able to be there for a home visit- well he answered the door but has to take a work call. And they noted this in the report. That he wasn't there. We explained it at the MR stage. They also tried all sorts like ringing up to ask directions and saying they were lost etc. At the stage if it going to appeal they (DWP) rang and reinstated it. All apologies.

Yeah I know (severity) they asked about mine which nearly killed me on several occasions which we thought was a bit insensitive. Especially as GP had written to say it is not easy to talk about. Maybe it is also lack of knowledge. Fact sheets can he helpful if you need it at a later stage.

Have a look this explain better than me

www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/06/former-watchdog-chief-labels-disabled-benefits-process-a-hostile-environment

There have been a lot of posts on MN about PIP.

Click the Advanced search button above these posts and put the following details in, it will highlight the ones since January this year, just by typing PIP in one box and a date in early January in another.
There have been more posts about PIP that can be found by using a more specific search criteria, but these should provide a good starting point for you.

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yes there is the tips from a former PIP assessor one, that was good.

It looks like they should give you a high award and long term for a neurodegenerative disease (see the Guardian link). So would keep going with it, maybe to appeal to get that if I were you. Don't be put off. We have been through this twice already and only recently got a 5 year award. You'll get there in the end, if not already. There are lots of good resources online as well to help.