PIP - face to face assessment - advice

[backtoworktomorrow2]

Applied for PIPa while back due to longstanding chronic condition and mental health. Last week received a message asking me to attend a face to face assessment. This will take place 10 miles away. I am so anxious and worried that I am thinking of cancelling. Has anyone been through this and can they tell me what it's like before I cancel. I just know I won't be able to cope

Is there anybody who could go with you?

Are there any adaptations DWP could make - would it be easier for you by phone?

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/your-assessment/

I could probably force myself to do it by phone but it's nearly an hour away from house where they want me to travel to. Will they cancel my claim if I ask for a telephone assessment. I don't know what to do and it's next week

Thank you for this I'll have a read through

You can take someone with you.. ask for it to be recorded and ask for a copy.
Most people turned down on 1st assessment and given on a review.. most important thing to remember it's not the conditions you have but the help you need ( even if you don't get the help) Good luck.

Following.
Just got the forms today

That. Exactly.

Welfare Rights Advisers are constantly up against the misconception that you need a diagnosis before you claim PIP or, for a child, DLA.

You have the right to request it to be done via phone if your condition means travelling to and attending an assessment is impractical. Call them and ask to for phone assessment

When you sent your PIP form in there is a section to say/ explain if you cannot travel. If you had put on there that you can't travel then you should have been offered a phone appointment. You can still request one. At the assessment they will ask you questions based on what you wrote on the form so how your condition affects your everyday activities and mobility.

If you cannot obtain a telephone assessment I would take another person with you for support. Someone who can drive you there - explain this at the appointment that you have been driven
as they will ask you this. During a face to face appointment they can see how you are affected by attending this appointment. Don't put yourself through a face to face appointment if it will cause you a large amount of distress though. It is not worth it, wait for a telephone appointment instead even if this is much longer to wait.

I didn't put down on the form that I couldn't do a face to face, I don't remember seeing anywhere to say that. I probably could manage it but it depends I know how it could go if I start to panic and I'm worried because I have musculoskeletal problems and I do push through the pain so if they ask me to do something I will try my best even if it is painful.

Call them and state you are unable to attend in person due to your mental health. Request a telephone assessment and say you will have someone with you to support you during call.

Pre-pandemic, assessments can be done on a home visit, so you can ask (by phone) if that is possible. Telephone ones were used during the pandemic, so I'm not sure if the assessment centre can oblige this now that things have gone back to normal. If you do go F2F, then bring someone with you for support (not to participate as that's not allowed).

Before you go to the appt. do have a copy of your PIP2 that you completed, so you can prepare your answers.