PIP assessment with a health ''proffessional''. HELP!

[BeckerLleytonNever]

What do I need to do/say?

Ive already sent DCs PIP from, helped to fill it in with a support worker, so everythings noted, Im hoping support worker will be able to attend meeting. its in 2 weeks time.

Its at our place as DC cant go anywhere 'strange' and new, so at least she can be in her room and play or whatever while we are talking.
Ive got nothing to hide regarding DCS disabilities, so im not worried about that, but its just strange that EVERYONE we know and complete strangers can see from space that DCS disabled (many conditions, not going into them), yet these 'professionals' with their PHDs and stuff cant see a thing wrong. (DCS mainly got MH issues but some physical too). just cos they don't want to pay out.

fucking government.

Anyway, any advice from those whove been through it? please.

Ill check in later now have to see to DCs medical needs.

Anyone there?

Sounds stressful. I guess you just tell the truth. You haven't given much detail to go on, but do bear in mind that each thing will only be scored once. So, for example, if 4 points were available for needing constant accompaniment outdoors and your DC had no sense of danger, no ability to remember routes, agoraphobia and anxiety, each of those may independently score 4 points. But the total score will be 4 points because that's how many points can be awarded for that element.

Likewise, 2 points for complete help dressing. Perhaps a child has no pincer grasp, gets anxious and is demand avoidant. That would be 6 points.....no. 2 points because that category is only worth 2 points.

So viewing your DC dispassionately, it might be worth looking at where difficulties overlap, look for the differences and how they can be used for different sections.

Thanks for reply.
All the above you stated is how my DC is, and more.

so I don't understand the points thing.

is the higher the points better for getting help? and whats the points, 1-10?

and what youre saying is in a 'section' if DC ticks all the boxes that are worth 4 points each she wont get (if there are for example 6 things in that sections) 24 points but just 4?

Take a look at this PIP self-test - it'll give you a good indication of the criteria they are looking at.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-self-test

Yes. Taking the "planning and following journeys" section:
11 a. Can plan and follow the route of a journey unaided. 0 points
11 b. Needs prompting to be able to undertake any journey to avoid overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant. 4 points
11 c. Cannot plan the route of a journey. 8 points
11 d. Cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person, assistance dog or orientation aid. 10 points
11 e. Cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant. 10 points
11 f. Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person, an assistance dog or an orientation aid. 12 points

You can't say "Lucy wouldn't go out without prompting because it causes her distress, so that's 4 points. Lucy can't plan a journey because she can't remember where places are so that's 8 points. Lucy can only follow a familiar journey if her mother is with her, so that's 12 points. Total:24 points."

The total would be 12 points because that is the score of the highest statement that matches her needs.

Similarly, with nutrition,

2 a. Can take nutrition unaided. 0 points
2 b. Needs either - (i) to use an aid or appliance to take nutrition; or (ii) supervision to be able to take nutrition; or (iii) assistance to be able to cut up food. 2 points
2 c. Needs a therapeutic source to take nutrition. 2 points
2 d. Needs prompting to be able to take nutrition. 4 points
2 e. Needs assistance to be able to manage a therapeutic source to take nutrition. 6 points
2 f. Cannot convey food and drink to their mouth and needs another person to do so. 10 points

Needing prompting and assistance (ie. being able to tick 2d and 2e) won't score 10 points, it will score 6 points, because 2e scores the highest.

Just wanted to say that when I had my last PIP assessment the lady was lovely - specialist rheumatology nurse (completely appropriate for my condition) and she did an excellent job of listening to me. I was dreading it, but she was wonderful. I have my next one on Tuesday, praying for the same treatment this time, but I am very nervous and prepared for it not to be as positive an experience as last time. Just wanted to reassure you that there are some fabulous assessors out there, good luck!

Thnaks. Ill have alook at the link.

Now my support person says she cant make meetingso Im stressing more.

its silly as I have nothing to hide and everything about DC is the truth, but its taken years and years of form filling/meetings/bashing head against brick walls/to hell and back, pillar to post to get the teensiest bit of help for her, they make it so bloody hard, and to go through all that again.......

Alias I thought they only go round once?

FFS who the hell thought the points system is fair????????????? what bloody planet do these people live on?

I had my first assessment two years ago - awarded for three years. They sent me a form a few months ago asking if things were better, the same or worse, I said the same and so they decided they needed to see me again. I was expecting reassessment at the three year point, not two, but there you go. Seems an utter waste of resources to me, I have a chronic condition, it will not get better, they cannot treat me and they have told me that ultimately I will be crippled with osteoarthritis within 15 years due to the damage being done. Here's hoping they don't decide to take my PIP off me, I literally won't be able to afford to work if it happens.

Sorry...slight rant there...I'll update tomorrow on how it was if you think it'll be helpful for you?

Alias Im so sorry you have that condition.
Dcs the same, its lifelong and needs lifelong care.

WTF about that do they not understand?

Im the same , as her fulltime carer I have to 'report' to the jobcentre every few months (otherwise they stop income support).to repeat ''yes she STILL has LIFELONG disabilities, yes I am STILL and ALWAYS will be her fulltime carer, yes I WORK 168 a week, 24/7 caring for her, etc etc....''. even the people working at the JC say its ridiculous for me to have to keep reporting this.

its incredible isn't it?

they jjst don't want to pay out, disabled are a waste of space and don't deserve to be on this earth. never mind benefit cheats or companies who don't pay taxes or politicians expenses, WE are the wastrs.

there, that's my rant!!!!

yes please, Id appreciate any imput you can give me.

good luck, I really hope it goes well. .

I know one thing ILL say to my assessor' ''how come everyone else can see DC has disabilities but you people cant?''

Hi Becker

So, it was ok. The lady was lovely. She didn't tell me her profession, and it was all very clinical - 101 questions, not much space for niceties. It really made me think about my work (I assess people in hospital) and made me acutely aware of how not to do things at times. But, I understand that she had a job to do, and she did it.

I got a little teary when she asked about hobbies, which took me by surprise! I wish I had the energy and strength for hobbies, if I didn't work, I would, but I'm too exhausted to contemplate anything.

She went through my diagnosis, medications, my support systems and then moved on to the main points scoring section. Just be clear about what your DC can and cannot do. I did not feel at any point that she was trying to trip me up, and when you're telling the truth it's fine anyway. I think it does help if you understand the descriptors as she did ask direct questions about them.

The last part was the worst - physical examination. She was very nice about it though. First one was stand on your tip toes and it was the only one I had to completely decline, I know I can't do it unfortunately. The other ones tested my balance (I have none!) and grip (ditto!). She left swiftly after that, no indication of results, which is to be expected really. I have to say, she was 20 minutes late, which was annoying, but she was done within less than an hour.

I was shattered after, which took me by surprise. I guess it's the stress of it all. Now I just have to wait.

Thank you so much for sharing that, I really hope it turns out well for you, let me know when you hear, you can pm me about it if you want.

im hoping a woman will come, without wishing to sound sexist, im assuming a woman would be more sympathetic to a mothers situation with a disabled teen, no offence to men, but I find men Ive encountered in ''meetings'' and ''services'' are quite clinical and read by numbers IYKWIM.

what did you mean by undersatnding the descripters?

I hope you had a massive cuppa or coffee or ''other''drink after that, it must have been exhausting, both mentally and physically.

have a few on me .

seriously.hope its all okay.

alias Ive pmdyou.