Pip phone assessment

[Boxingwhelp]

I applied for PIP recently and had a phone last week from someone from the PIP department. She asked me some questions and then I asked if this was the assessment and she said it was.
I’m surprised that they can just ring me out of the blue with no warning for the assessment when I didn’t even know if it would be F2F or on the phone.
Have other people had the same experience with their PIP assessment?

No.

I had a letter advising me of the date and time of my telephone assessment. I passed that on to my support worker so she could be with me during the appointment.

Have you definitely not had a letter or a text? That doesn't sound right imo. If they decline your application (possible if you weren't prepared), then make sure you appeal.

Thanks. Definitely no notification at all so I didn’t have any warning or time to prepare. The assessor was kind but I’ve heard they do that to lull you into a false sense of security.
I will appeal if it gets turned down.

Ime they text an appointment or write.

Hopefully it means that they aren’t going to deny the claim. I did send a lot of supporting medical information with the application form.

Dc1 had this got flustered and handed me the phone and I told them they'd have been able to speak to dc if they'd given warning. They continued the call (via asking me to ask dc/me answering). Got awarded what we felt reasonable and has since had a paper renewal.
I had a phonecall out of the blue asked lots of questions then was told they needed a fuller assessment and someone would arrange this. Six months later I had the assessment (I'd deteriorated but they reduced my award).
You can ring and request a copy of your report.

Yes they do sometimes ring out of the blue.

Thanks @Fridgefreezermagnets, thats interesting. I’ll request a copy of the report.

Did you get awarded PIP @readytoexplode24 after an out of the blue phone assessment?

How long did people wait between assessment and being notified of the decision?

Two - three weeks but I think on phone they said up to 8. A week after the assessment they called randomly for bank and id checks, but that did not mean they were awarding anything.

Just to update in case it is useful for anyone else, I’ve received a text saying that I have been awarded PIP. I’m relieved about that.

Well done op. 💐💐

Hi, I had my pip assessment yesterday by phone and I don’t feel it went particularly well I have severe anxiety complex PTSD and agoraphobia,y friend was due to sit with me for the call but she had to take her son to hospital so was left on my own! The call lasted 21 mins and I had numerous panic attacks and was struggling to breath the whole time the assessor was lovely and didn’t push me and I’m not sure if the short call was because I was struggling so much? I don’t feel that I explained myself properly or fully because of this and am really worried that my answers aren’t going to reflect how much I do struggle! I know I can’t change this now but has anyone had a similar experience with a super quick call and still being awarded? Thank you

Hi @Girlmummy17, I’ve just checked my phone log and my assessment call was 15 minutes and I have been awarded PIP. It sounds like you were really struggling on your call so hopefully that will be taken into account. Good luck, let us know how you get on.

@Boxingwhelp thank you I hope so it’s such a stressful experience I can’t wait for it all to be over and done with x

I'm glad you were awarded. As far as I know when they ring out of the blue it's usually just to check a few details as opposed to a full telephone assessment, which can easily last an hour.
My last review, I heard absolutely nothing until I had a text saying the review was complete. I rang to ask about the assessment. They said in some cases when you provide enough evidence it doesn't need to go to go to one of the outside assessment companies and no assessment report is generated. The decision maker at the DWP does it all. I was grateful not to have to go through an assessment.

I couldn’t have a phone or face to face assessment they went by my form as I have selective mutism and I was awarded enhanced rate for both components (I have ASD and ADHD)

Hi i had a random call from a nurse from pip assesment for review on 15th March it's now with descision maker does anyone know how long it takes for a descision my anxiety is through the roof. When she called she seemed lovely I've been on pip since 2010 was reduce to low then in 2021 was lost had to be overturned before tribunal got enhanced of both . 18 point mobility 17 care what's likeliness I will lose it all together. Thanks

DD is switching from DLA to pip. At the end of last month I received a phone call out of the blue it was a lady from pip.
The call lasted 15 minutes luckily I'm dd's appointee so she didn't need to talk to them.
At the end of the call she said she is recommending that DD receives pip. I thought that was strange do they normally tell people this.

I had a phone call out of the blue, at 8am last Friday. The assessor phoned back to check DD1’s medications and she told me she was recommending an indefinite award, at the enhanced rates for both.

Just as an update, I got my AD1’s PIP award letter in the middle of last week and she HAS been awarded the enhanced rates for both daily living and mobility and no review until May 2034! Mightily relieved!

That’s great news @WhompingWillows

Just popped on to say how I hate these phone assessments. Son avoided two calls (they disrupted his routine!). I answered today after the assessor rang again , unannounced. I took the call and asked my son if he would speak to the assessor. He freaked out , grabbed the phone and told the nurse that he 'wasn't interested' then ended the call.

My son and I spent days filling in the form, he has a psychiatrist's letter, safeguarding information and reports from other agencies. Now it looks like we will have to start the whole process again.

My son is now blaming me because 'I did not tell [him] how important the call was'.