pIP assessment scared

[Ineedhelpplease1234]

Hello,

Have my pip assessment Thursday and I'm freaked out tbh. Have been turned down for a blue badge as only scored 6 points.

I was diagnosed in feb with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, I have severe mean health issues, resulting in self harming, this has lead back to relationship issues, I also believe the current relationship I am trying to leave (we live seperate) is quite a narcasstic relationship: I work in a kitchen and have now had two sick notes back to back and been off work for 12 weeks.
Mentally I am struggling; work wise I struggle and pay for it if I work, my youngest is on the ASD spectrum and that's constant in itself, I applied for LCWRA after my pip form and feel I left alot out: as I wrote a whole Piece on my mental health.

Any good tips or anything please?

Its a telephone assessment:
I have a car and have to drive because I can't deal with public transport; and have to get kids to school.
I had to give the dog away because I can't walk her anymore:
I do housework and spend days in bed.
I order more takeaways in a week/family cook for the kids than I can cook:
I have family come round and fill in my pill pots etc so I remember to take them; and they message me reminding me; they remind me to shower; to do my hair. I have to pay for a cleaner as I physically cannot do it:

Whether you are Living Together as Married Couple is a question of fact. DWP guidance is here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7575a740f0b6397f35e96f/adme4.pdf

If you live together all the time moving between your respective homes I think you might struggle to show you're not in the same household; joint claim required.

On the other hand if you're going to end the relationship, as seems to be your intent, then the problem goes away - at least for the future.

You said you had pain rehab, was that a physiotherapist?

When they assessed you they should have documented the level of disability your pain caused and help you need. You'd need to ask them first but could you put them down as a contact?

My apologies, none of my business - good luck!

@Fraggamama I am still waiting on for the pain rehab to start :( there is a massive delay in our area.

I just want to cry now, seems like because well the evidence I have is receptions; letters trying to plan the rehab, xounsellling, and doctors notes abohr self harm etc it won't be enough.
Feel like not bothering and giving up with jr all.

Sorry you're waiting so long for treatment.
Unfortunately letters confirming a diagnosis is not enough. Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue are common conditions and must people won't qualify for PIP. It's also incredibly hard to get it for MH conditions as the many threads on here demonstrate.

When anyone I work with applies for PIP I always make sure they understand when they put things on the form it's unlikely the assessor will just take their word for it. So if they say they have limited mobility and are in so much pain they can't stand to cook a meal, who have they seen about this who can verify that eg physio.
If mental health is so bad they can't be left alone or are regularly leaving the cooker on, who have they seen for treatment and support who can verify that.

If a family member such as your son provides support can school verify that?
Has a partner had to put in an application for flexible working to look after you?
Has someone from social services been to see you to recommend and aids for the house?

With this sort of evidence an applicant is much more likely to be successful so sometimes is actually quicker and easier to wait until you've gathered sufficient evidence before applying. As PIP is a benefit for long term conditions the assessors will usually expect people to have had their conditions for a while and have been involved with some services.

I don't want to put you off and I hope it goes well tomorrow. But if it's declined at least you'll have a better idea of the type of evidence that can make an appeal or reapplication successful.
Good luck

@Fraggamama
Thank you for you advice and help. It's such a minefield. I have sent me alCWRA form back aswell so waiting to hear back on this. Tbh I think as long as I can at least pass that it'll help for now zx the thought of going back to work scares me and I know I can't keep being signed off forever.

My partner can take time when needed so doesn't really neee to ask for flexible, school are aware but I will also ask for them to put more in writing about my son being a carer. I am just truly fed up with it all now xx

You need to make sure you don’t say you can do things without help if you can’t. Be able to explain why you can’t do things and don’t let them try and twist what you say. Study the components they are assessing and make sure you can speak in detail about them all. Don’t be afraid to stop and think - because it’s a telephone assessment pausing may seem wrong so tell them you need time to get your thoughts and words together. Good luck

It sounds an absolute nightmare! I am wondering how people who are working are successful in claiming it, as they will probably be looking after themselves, walking, cooking, personal care etc . If anyone is observing them at the assessment centre, they will probably be able to do all the things the assessor is looking for, and yet from that form it sounds as if they have to be virtually incapable to get pip

@Bignanna people can work and get PIP
I know people who have MS who work in office roles and get PIP.
They need help from a partner or carer to get ready in the morning, they've had their house assessed and have rails and adapted showers etc
They have a walking frame or wheelchair and a blue badge to park near the door at work. Their office is on ground floor and they have a toilet adapted for disability.

But these people have been involved with HCPs and SS already before applying for PIP so they can put their detail on the form to provide copies of their assessments. It's the evidence of the assessment of what help the person needs, not the diagnosis of MS (or whatever) which makes the claim more likely to be successful.

So you pretty much live together then?

That is living together though isn’t it? You live together 6 or 7 days a week. Surely you need to do a joint claim or it’ll be fraud and you’ll be liable to pay everything back?

Universal credit told us that as we both have seperate rent, seperate bills, council tax etc, we both do our own washing etc at our own homes that it was ok xx

Have you got that in writing?

I hold no brief for the DWP but I'd regard it as a marginal call and one on which another Decision Maker might jump the other way.

How do you feel about your assessment today OP? Hopefully you are not too nervous about it.

I have barely slept tbh :( I am really nervous: having a bad pain day too which isn't helping xx

Whoever you talk to, just remember to explain how much you are being affected by your issues, and listen carefully to what you are being asked.

well took a hour, told me to keep a eye on the post.
He tbh sounded really understanding and lovely.

I'm glad it's over for you. Are you feeling positive? Such stress

It sounds like you think it went ok.

Yeah he seemed nice and understanding of things and he referenced back to stuff correctly so I hope, just a shame when I rung a minute ago as the report was back within 45 minutes to dwp that they couldn't tell me the point scores of the assessor xx

Amazing that it was written up within a couple of hours really. You can see the pressure they are under if that is the expectation.

Beware the smiling assassin

I've never known a PIP assessor not be like this ! Well maybe the odd one or two !

My assessor was lovely and understanding. I got my result - turned down completely, barely any points. I got the report and it was f*ing bullshit! I did a MR, turned down. I’m now waiting for tribunal. It has been going on over 12 months 🙇🏻‍♀️

That is why it is important to get the assessment report. At least you will have a heads up on whether the report bears any resemblance to what you have told them.