PIP Assessment

[Lynzmumof21979]

Hi everyone
Just looking for some advice please.
I have received a copy of my PIP assessment and surprisingly it was completely correct. The assessor listened and also read my medical evidence in full, so was lovely during my assessment and I'm very grateful that she was honest on the report.

I have added up the descriptors and she has recommended 15 on daily living and 20 on mobility.

Could anyone advise if the decision makers normally go with recommendations?

I'm so anxious.

Thank you in advance

Yes the majority of the time the decision maker follows the assessor. Glad that you had a good assessor!

Thank you. It's the 1st time I've applied for anything but I did so on the advice of my specialist and nurse.

I've read so many horror stories my anxiety is through the roof!

Good luck @Lynzmumof21979 ! I am sure it will all go fine. ❤ And yes, as a pp said, the DWP will go with the assessor usually.

I've never known them not to go with what the assessor says, OP!

@Lynzmumof21979 did u get it ? Im having mine next week x

Hi. I got enhanced on both for 3 years x good luck!!

@Lynzmumof21979 oo that’s amazing! I had chnaged my job and cut done from 40hrs to 16-18hrs. Do u work? X

I used to be a self employed cake designer but I can't work anymore. Im lucky if I can get out of bed most days x

Yes normally, for my sons the decision maker increased the award length but that was the only change.

I applied for and was awarded first time. My (phone) assessor was good & had actually heard of my unusual condition.

I'd mentioned a fall. She asked if I'd hurt myself. Said no, just bruising. She replied well I'm adding bruising then.
I was being honest & she actually pushed for more details. I had a good one. Makes a change from all the horror stories you hear.

@Lynzmumof21979 oo sorry to hear that :( on my bad days i cant get out of bed. Just had 6 weeks off work . But idont wanna lose my house as i have no other help money wise. As it is im so short due to having to cut hours. Xx

@CoffeeBeansGalore do you work ? Im worried i wont get it due to that. But i have cut my hrs. Due to my heart condition i do faint. Its all getting too much.
i dont know how much longer ill be able to work for.
all started from long covid :( x

Is it your assessment next week? Is it by telephone? Xx

@CoffeeBeansGalore im glad you had a good person. Im so worried ill have someone awful. How long was the call? Did u hve breaks ? X

@Lynzmumof21979 yes it is , and i feel so nervous. Xx

Be prepared is my advice. Write down each descriptor and have your answer ready. Remember to put an example of each reason you can't do something. Example...I am unable to take my daily medication unsupervised...I then said I have a history of attempting suicide so my husband keeps my medication and gives me it at the correct times...so I have the temptation of taking an overdose removed.

My assessor was actually lovely and my report was exactley as we discussed.

@Lynzmumof21979 ok thankyou, im so sorry that you have felt like that. I really hope your feeing better❤️
well my partner has to remind me as i suffer a lot from fatigue.
i sleep a lot , he wakes me and reminds me. Would thqt be a good example?
also i have severe endometriosis and adenomyosis. When im in agony and i pass ALOT Of blood. All i do is sleep, qnd cry in pain. I soemtimes cant bath for days. Hr has to keep prompting me.
do you have any other tips?
my anxiety and depression has been awful since having these illnesses. Xx

Maybe add in that he gives you the correct meds as you are very fatigued and need to ensure you get the correct dosage.

I don't use my bath...I can't get in and out even with a lift I struggle. I said I struggle in the shower and have a shower seat with either my husband or 18 year old daughter watching me so I don't slip.

Always have an example for each descriptor if that makes sense x

@Lynzmumof21979 ok thankyou very much for your help!
i cant shower as standing ina hot shower i get blood pooling in my legs and my heart rates goes crqzy then i can faint. So my partner or family member is aways home.
i hve a stool in my kitchen as i cant stand for ages. Also feel faint alot.
can you drive ? I can but not long distance. Like 10 mins max x

It's all about being able to provide evidence to back up what you say, so your medical records will need to confirm that you cannot stand for a few minutes at a time.

They won't just believe someone helps you, they need to see evidence of the need. If toy have that and your assessment report doesn't reflect what you have said you can then ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration and point out they said X but you have evidence that says Y

It can be a long hard fight sometimes, and sometimes they juts do it right and award you according- good luck

@Starrrz Call was about an hour. No breaks. I had a drink next to me & dd was around if I needed anything. I had a copy of my application plus notes to refer to if needed. 5 months between application & interview so made sense to have notes to hand.
Have notebook & pen ready just in case you want note any questions & your own answers or clarify something. Anything you are not sure of ask them to repeat the question or say I don't understand, what are you asking/sorry can you just clarify that?
Take your time. They are being paid for this so don't let them rush you. (A friend advised me prior to the call as she'd been through it).

Yes I agree. I sent in copies of all my medical records...and a letter from both my rheumatologist and my mental health nurse.

@teudent well ive got all my hospital letters saying all my conditions. They wrote to my gp and they had to fill out a form. I dont know what they put , i will just go by my worst days. Wnd those days i dont shower , i stay in bed. Cant drive, my family have my little girl. Losing money as i keep missing shifts in work.
ive had long covid for nearly 4 years now , i was put on heart meds but i had an allergic reaction due to my mcas. And now my ecg is showing somwthing else is abnormal. Im only in my 20s i feel like im an old woman xx

@CoffeeBeansGalore i dont havr a copy of my application, my sister helped me fill it out as i had a bad flare and i was going through vertigo and vomiting for weeks.
she did write down notes, but my answers should be very similar.

im gonna write down everything, i didn’t understand thr question about budgeting money and understanding signs ? X

I'm so sorry :-( you're so young. If the GP has written everything you should be fine. Just be honest and give examples. I worked myself up into such a state reading all the bad things...yet had the opposite. X