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PIP MEDICAL ASSESMENT QUESTIONS
- gaz111
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I have my PIP assessment next week. I got a letter at the weekend with an appointment for a centre 40 miles away! I rang them this morning and told them this was unsuitable and they offered me an appointment the day after at a local centre 5 miles away. I can't help but think there's something deliberate in sending claimants up to 40 miles away when there are many local centres much closer.
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knew the following questions,
1, Will my assessor have read my form?
2, Will the assessor even know/understand my condition?! They may have never heard of it. I was thinking of getting my doctor to type me a letter to explain what it is.
I will be taking a copy of my claim form in with me to refer to as I put so much information on there about how my condition affects me I don't want to leave any out.
All the best to everyone
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- Gordon
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The assessor should have read your form and any evidence attached prior to the appointment.
Assessors come from a variety of backgrounds so if you have a rare or specialised condition then it is possible that they will not have a detailed understanding of its effects, you could prepare a short document explaining your condition, it's symptoms and how it effects you, if this information has not already been included in your PIP2 and the attached evidence.
Give it to the assessor at the start of the interview and ask them to read it before they proceed.
Good luck.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- gaz111
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I will ask the assessor if they have read my form when I first go in. I will also prepare a document like you said and also ask my doctor who treats me to prepare something on my condition.
Can I ask, will they read the form online or do the forms get sent to the assessment centres that we go to?
Thanks
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- bro58
gaz111 wrote: Thank you Gordon,
I will ask the assessor if they have read my form when I first go in. I will also prepare a document like you said and also ask my doctor who treats me to prepare something on my condition.
Can I ask, will they read the form online or do the forms get sent to the assessment centres that we go to?
Thanks
Hi g111,
Your PIP 2 Form and any extra evidence will be electronically scanned onto your PIP claim file.
Whether the above be in hard copy or scanned copy the Assessor should have read it prior to your Assessment.
This is confirmed in the section headed "Before starting the consultation" @ 2.6.6. near the bottom of Page 32 of the latest version of : The PIP Assessment Guide which was updated on 28th July 2015.
If you are to take a copy of the whole of your PIP 2 Form into the assessment, I would be wary of being seen to use it as a "script" by The PIP Assessor.
You can also read what to expect at your PIP face to face from around Page 70 of our : PIP Claims Guide. (2nd Link down the page)
You should be aware that how you manage the return trip to/from the PIP Assessment Centre will be taken into account as part of the actual assessment.
You may be observed on approaching, leaving and whilst inside the centre.
Assumptions may be made by the assessor with regards to the above.
These assumptions could result in the assessor writing comments/recommendations within the PA4 PIP medical report which they compile and send to The DWP.
Good luck !!
bro58
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- gaz111
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I mentioned about taking a copy of my PIP 2 form because it mentioned doing this on the citizens advice website but like you said if I do this they may think I'm just reading from a script. I don't know what to do now?
I had a hell of a lot of information of the form and extra information so I just wanted to make sure I had it to refer to so I wouldn't forget anything,
Do you think I'm best just looking over it before hand rather than taking it with me?
Thanks
G
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- bro58
gaz111 wrote: Thanks so much Bro.
I mentioned about taking a copy of my PIP 2 form because it mentioned doing this on the citizens advice website but like you said if I do this they may think I'm just reading from a script. I don't know what to do now?
I had a hell of a lot of information of the form and extra information so I just wanted to make sure I had it to refer to so I wouldn't forget anything,
Do you think I'm best just looking over it before hand rather than taking it with me?
Thanks
G
Hi g111,
You can take your PIP 2 Form, and you can refer to it, especially if you suffer from memory problems.
However, be wary of seeming to read it to give answers to any of the Assessors questions, for obvious reasons, this would not look good.
You could also read through it before your assessment to refresh yourself on the content.
bro58
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