To apply to be a benefits assessor?

[SoggyFish]

I’m a qualified nurse who can’t nurse in the physical form at the minute due to back problems. I have been given interviews for two “telephone” jobs - one was a 111 call handler and the other was a PIP applicant assessor. This was sold to me as “helping disabled people access the benefits they’re entitled to”. It’s work from home, excellent pay, flexible hours … sounded too good to be true.

Well apparently it is too good to be true. What I’d essentially be doing according to people I’ve spoken to … is preventing as many people as possible from getting PIP.

Anyone know if this is true? I have an interview on Friday and I’m so torn now on whether to go through with it or not!! I’m limited in what work I can do … I can’t really afford to turn down a job offer but I know I’ll struggle morally with it if this is what it is 😫 does anyone on here do it and can tell me the truth on what it actually entails?

I actually have experience of these jobs from a recruitment pov. I will say that there are various employers offering essentially the same job but the way they treat the staff (and ultimately the claimants) is very variable. So not all the same.

The cynic in me suspects that some claims are denied or reduced when the claimant is clearly in need in the hope these vulnerable people lack the capacity or support network to appeal the injustice. It’s amoral.

The nurse who did my last pip assessment was absolutely lovely. It was just a review so was supposed to last 45 to 60 minutes. It actually took 2 and a half hours and i was exhausted at the end of it. She told me that her sister had a few of the same conditions that I have and actually gave me a lot of good advice about how to cope with certain things and told me about things I could buy to help with some tasks.
At the end,moment she said that its obvious that I'm not going to recover or even get any better so she would her best to make sure I got the award that I was entitled to.to. 2weeks later I got a letter to say that I would continue to get high rate for both elements but the award would be ongoing so no review for 10 years.
There are some good assessors out there because the previous 2 were the same.
The way I see it, the more good people doing the jib the better

Through my work I have completed a lot of PIP applications & supported many through the assessment process with a positive outcome. I have actually experienced quite a few "good" assessors who have clearly understood from the start of the interview that my clients have a very genuine support need. If you can be one of these good ones please go for it. We need more people like you.

My colleague left to do it. He didn’t last six months. He was pressured into refusing PIP for practically everyone and his reports had to be rewritten over and over and the workload was insane.
I nurse a patient who had a stroke. They are severely disabled in several ways as a result of it and literally cannot work. They were turned down for PIP and would have starved to death on UC if their Consultant hadn’t managed to get the (batshit) decision overturned with a strongly worded appeal. That’s what the job is. Refusing benefits for the most needy. It’s soul destroying.

I've heard awful things about it on here and in rl, it doesn't sound like helping people . Maybe see what they say in the interview

It's not preventing people getting PIP. it's ensuring that people who are entitled to PiP get it.

There will be some claims from people who are not eligible. But many many people are, and you will be helping them.

Not my experience of people I know who have had to go to court for fight to get it back, even though they were supposed to be awarded it for life

Would be good if that was the way it worked though

Having really good assessors who can make the correct recommendations on the evidence is key to the whole system.

It’s no good if the next level up the chain try to overrule them and return the report for changes though.

My husband used to be a PIP assessor. They don't last long. The ones that actually care don't last. They keep advertising, that should give you a clue.
Targets targets targets. Oh yeah, sounds great at the interview, but the staff don't stay.

If you are in Scotland applying under the new ADP system, that seems much fairer though

I have a chronic condition which makes everyday life very difficult. I attended a PIP interview a few years ago and it was awful. The stress of getting there, being there and getting home again caused a massive crash in my health which lasted for months. I got zero points on the assessment. I never reapplied.

Just speaking personally, I know a PIP assesor and she is absolutely lovely.

I also receive PIP myself. I had a telephone assessment with someone who was perfectly professional, but showed no emotion. I was awarded enhanced rate for both elements, with no review for 10 years.

@DismantledKing
Everything said correct. Not a job for a humane or caring person to do for long.

I have seen my sister be awarded zero points and have to go through appeals and tribunals. She has autism.

Its a messed up and sick system. Even if you are a decent person who would like to act as a force for good from within this system I think it is not possible.

I hope you find the right job.

You are totally deluded if you actually believe that.
The qualified physiotherapist -who had absolutely no clue about DH’s life limiting condition-wrote several untruths on his report and declared him fit to work because, when she asked him to stand on one leg, he could do so for 5 seconds without collapsing.

A friend of mine, a nurse of many years' experience, did it for a while, . She acknowledged that there were chancers, but also said that if her report resulted in too many points being awarded to too many genuine people, she'd get pulled up for it. She didn't last long. A relative working for the DWP on PIP assessments couldn't wait to get out either.

Have you thought of doing continuing health care as a nurse assessor ?

I’m afraid that’s bollocks