Pip Journey

My home assessment was carried out this morning by Capita and it was the strangest experience I have had out of all the f2f assessments I have had to undergo for Dwp over the years.

The assessor was a woman in her fifties,she introduced herself by showing her Capita badge and then proceeded to ignore the side table containing my id that I had put out for her computer by the opposite settee facing my chair.

She sat down adjacent to me and was seated less than two feet away which forced me to turn sideways to talk to her .I asked her if it would be easier to sit opposite me and she said no that she was fine where she was.She then asked for my id which my daughter handed to her as it was across the room.

She thanked me for the medical evidence and that it was detailed and enough but did not want to discuss my medical history further.This was fine as I knew Pip is based on how your illnesses affect your daily life. This is where it became bizarre as I had read previous stories on here and what to expect.

She told me who lived with me and then asked what aids I used and I listed them as she typed.She was not concerned about my social life,no questions on housework,very brief question on hobbies,she did not pursue further, Nothing about pets despite having two,nothing about holidays,she looked at flat screen TVs and told me I watched television ,to which I replied I prefer listening to music and radio.

She then asked about distance to toilet and her estimate was 30 meters walking.She was adamant it was 30 metres and even went into the hall to look for toilet.It was pointed out that there was seating along the way and I then had to give the length of time I sat on each chair before reaching toilet.

She was not bothered about supermarket or shops as I use a mobility scooter, no typical day scenario requested, she was more concerned about who had built my front door ramp and when it was built and by who, practically had to give a day by day timetable of construction.

She also asked me if she was an honoured guest and if I had put my leg brace on for her visit,(I have to wear the brace inside as well as out as I have drop foot and damaged sciatic nerve)so very strange question and I felt it was slightly sarcastic.

Skirted over the cooking, then quick medical, told not to do if painful,stand and walk,hands above head,bending,stand on one leg and not to worry as she would catch me if I fell.?

All in all took hour and a half and there was no structure ,just questions thrown in at random,talking about one subject and then reverting back to another subject in an effort to catch me out? She was told about my shower seat early on but later threw into the conversation that when I stood in the shower did I hold the rails, soon put her right on that aspect,

Thanked me ,told me I have a beautiful house ? Told that I would hear back in six weeks, I asked her what her qualifications were and I was told she was a disability Capita assessor and they all received the same training but that she was previously employed in a nursing capacity, not holding my breath on the outcome ,very surreal.

Your home must be not only beautiful, but also very large if it is 30 meters from anywhere to the toilet!

Was she based in swansea because it sounds the same one I had yesterday.

My home is four bedroom detached but I can only use ground floor now and it is nowhere near 30 metres to the toilet from lounge as that is over 90 ft , I do not understand where they get the measurements from ,my friends report stated that he had walked 3o meters to use a commode twice during his f2f ,his lounge is only 14 foot long, needless to say he won on appeal.Seems to be the preferred distance chosen by assessors at assessment and yes my assessor was Swansea based.

Hi Suki,

Had a PIP assessment by CAPITA at a centre in Walsall and thought you might appreciate some positive feedback of my experience with them. Was carried out by an ex paramedic - polite, efficient and very professional and friendly. She had obviously read ALL my med evidence and referred to it throughout the assessment. Didn't ask me to carry out certain tests because she knew my lack of mobility and balance issues would prevent me trying. Felt no pressure to do things - only had to turn my head left and right and squeeze her fingers. Lasted about an hr an half. Was awarded enhanced rate care and mobility for 3 yrs due to my secondary progressive MS. I wish you good luck.