PIP Telephone Assessment

Cocofelix · 2022-11-23T21:12:37+00:00

Hello, my next door neighbour has a phone assessment for PIP and is terrified of the process due to her anxiety. If anyone has been through a phone assessment, can you please share your experience / the type of questions DWP will ask for? Neighbour has lupus and fibromyalgia but feels this is not a visible disability so will be hard to prove. Should she ask for a face to face appointment instead? Thank you

Worrysaboutalot · 07/01/2023 22:04

I have had both a face to face and telephone appointments in the past. They asked the same questions in a similar way.

They are not that interested in what name your condition has, rather how your symptoms affect your day to day life.

I know this post is probably too late for your friend but maybe it will help someone.

biscuiteer · 23/01/2023 14:58

I have just been told that my assessment for PIP will be over the phone in a few weeks time. I also have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. I don't understand how they will be able to assess mobility. I don't want to get too stressed about it but it's just one chance to get all I need said in the right way that they understand and that is what worries me. I will prepare notes for the assessment so I don't forget things.
Does anyone know if the points are awarded purely by the first application form or can additional points be added during assessment? I feel I didn't put enough detail in some sections of the application form questions.

I wonder if this is just how assessments are being carried out now as opposed to face to face.

archaeoptyrx · 20/02/2023 19:16

I had a telephone assessment on Friday. It was fine and only 16 minutes in total. I expected it to be much longer. Should I read anything into this?

Upallnightagain3 · 20/08/2023 22:35

How did the assessment go? I have mine next week

EpidermolysisBullosa · 23/08/2023 17:27

I had one in May. I was turned down for PIP but successful at mandatory reconsideration.

I had someone from Debra (the charity for people with EB) on the call as well which helped. She took notes of the discussion which was useful when I challenged the decision.

One thing that the assessor said in her report after our call was that although I described my pain levels (I also have fibro EDS and an autoimmune arthritis) I didn't 'sound as though I was in pain' on the call. Not sure what I was meant to do to get that across!

TuneInThisTimeNextWeek · 01/10/2023 17:49

EpidermolysisBullosa · 23/08/2023 17:27

I had one in May. I was turned down for PIP but successful at mandatory reconsideration.

I had someone from Debra (the charity for people with EB) on the call as well which helped. She took notes of the discussion which was useful when I challenged the decision.

One thing that the assessor said in her report after our call was that although I described my pain levels (I also have fibro EDS and an autoimmune arthritis) I didn't 'sound as though I was in pain' on the call. Not sure what I was meant to do to get that across!

My assessor wrote in my report that I ‘sounded relaxed and friendly’ - in reality I was heavily sedated to the point my speech was slurred. And the fact that I was heavily sedated was mentioned at least 5 times… 😠

Babyroobs · 01/10/2023 17:52

I have not been through one myself but have supported many people through them ( due to my job role). It is nothing to worry about. She will be asked questions based on what she wrote on the phone. they generally check medications are the same as when you filled out the form. they might ask what a typical day looks like for you, what you do , whether you work, what help you need from others etc.

Babyroobs · 01/10/2023 17:52

I have not been through one myself but have supported many people through them ( due to my job role). It is nothing to worry about. She will be asked questions based on what she wrote on the phone. they generally check medications are the same as when you filled out the form. they might ask what a typical day looks like for you, what you do , whether you work, what help you need from others etc.

Sorry that should say what she wrote on the form !

Babyroobs · 01/10/2023 17:53

archaeoptyrx · 20/02/2023 19:16

I had a telephone assessment on Friday. It was fine and only 16 minutes in total. I expected it to be much longer. Should I read anything into this?

Probably just that they already have most of the information they need from medical reports etc. I have known some assessments last 1.5 hours !

Babyroobs · 01/10/2023 17:55

biscuiteer · 23/01/2023 14:58

I have just been told that my assessment for PIP will be over the phone in a few weeks time. I also have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. I don't understand how they will be able to assess mobility. I don't want to get too stressed about it but it's just one chance to get all I need said in the right way that they understand and that is what worries me. I will prepare notes for the assessment so I don't forget things.
Does anyone know if the points are awarded purely by the first application form or can additional points be added during assessment? I feel I didn't put enough detail in some sections of the application form questions.

I wonder if this is just how assessments are being carried out now as opposed to face to face.

Points are awarded through looking at the form and the assessment and them deciding which descriptors to award you points for. They will assess mobility by asking how far you can reliably walk, whether walking causes you pain, whether you use any aids, whether you are at risk of falls. They will also look at medical evidence which really is one of the most important things.

bemorebernard · 01/10/2023 17:57

I wish they'd hurry up with mine , I'm worried as I'm about to go onto half pay due to being off with my condition.

Californiabound · 01/10/2023 17:59

I have the forms, but not sure how to fill it out because my handwriting is terrible due to a stroke? I don't really want to go into details with kids, or tell some random person. Do I just fill it out slowly with my 5 yo looking handwriting?

Babyroobs · 01/10/2023 20:05

Californiabound · 01/10/2023 17:59

I have the forms, but not sure how to fill it out because my handwriting is terrible due to a stroke? I don't really want to go into details with kids, or tell some random person. Do I just fill it out slowly with my 5 yo looking handwriting?

You could ask CAB or similar to help.

archaeoptyrx · 01/10/2023 21:05

Yes, I was given an award based on the evidence submitted. I think that the short call was just to check a few details.

Stomacharmeleon · 01/10/2023 22:24

@Californiabound would doing it online help? The last ones I have helped with I have been able to do it that way.

Starrrz · 20/12/2023 00:52

Hi all! Just wondering, with the person that calls you to do the assessment are they a health professional?
as online it says so but people that work for dwp arent health professionals? I sent mine only 4 weeks ago and havent geard a thing! A lasy i know heard back after 2 weeks . That was last month.
thankyou

Starrrz · 20/12/2023 00:53

@archaeoptyrx so was it dwp who rang or a health professional?

archaeoptyrx · 20/12/2023 01:23

A health professional on the behalf of DWP I believe.

Starrrz · 20/12/2023 08:58

@archaeoptyrx ok thankyou :) xx

archaeoptyrx · 20/12/2023 09:01

No problem. I think Capita have the contract for the assessments and that they use a range of healthcare professionals, nurses, OT's etc. If it's relevant, I had a similar call for ESA more recently, the call was from a nurse who was very nice but very thorough.

Starrrz · 20/12/2023 11:08

@archaeoptyrx ok thankyou :) glad she was nice :) i work inly 18hrs a week. Due to my conditions it ristricts me from working more.
also after a 6 hr shift i am utterly exhausted the next day!! It sucks!
how does esa work? Ive never claimed for anything so this is all new to me. Sorry to ask questions xx

changedusername190 · 20/12/2023 15:37

i had to fill in forms then go for a face to face then had a telephone call as well. Although i got awarded pip it was a really stressful time.
Three months later i had another letter saying that i had been chosen for a random check and had to have another telephone assessment which came out with the same award. All in all it was a really horrible time.

Comfortablechair · 07/01/2024 00:00

Hi - there seems to be a lot of positive company programs to encourage recruitment of POC, neurodiverse and sometimes gender / age / class
based etc but I feel the disable community don’t get the expose and engagement we need from companies. I remember in last job they had a DEI champion and disabled staff / potential staff was never mentioned.
They don’t seem to be debating the issues effecting us even though are a HUGE community who many barriers to work. Any ideas how we get companies to take disabled workers seriously and be vocal ?

Sue0202 · 12/01/2024 13:57

Hi I sent mine in March 2023 and today got text this morning saying they have made a decision on my review etc and will get a letter in next two weeks! It’s taken 2 months short of a year! Not sure if this is good or bad

Babyroobs · 12/01/2024 14:00

Sue0202 · 12/01/2024 13:57

Hi I sent mine in March 2023 and today got text this morning saying they have made a decision on my review etc and will get a letter in next two weeks! It’s taken 2 months short of a year! Not sure if this is good or bad

Pretty much all reviews are taking this long currently. the system is completely overwhelmed and they are prioritizing new claims (of which there are have been huge increases ) over reviews.