Pip

Hi af

Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is

Welcome to Benefits and Work

In case you are not aware, your real name appears to be showing in the forum, if you want to change this then follow the instructions in the following FAQ

My full name is showing, how can I stop it?

Remember, it is not your conditions that are being assessed but the limitations that result from them, have a look at our PIP Claim guide for the criteria that the assessor will be questioning you about.

If you have a look at our PIP guide at the link below you will see that there are 9 pages which include advice on telephone assessments. Yes, a lot of the questions are those that would have been asked if you had a face to face assessment.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants

But here are some practical things to do.

Write yourself a bullet point list of any particular points you want to get over, so you have it by you during the assessment, also have a pen and paper handy.

Make sure you can take the call in a comfortable place but also somewhere where you can spread your papers out, as you may be asked about your support documents, without them going all over the place.

Have a glass of water or better a jug in easy reach if needed, so you don't get a dry throat and lose your voice!

Make sure you understand the criteria that you are being assessed against.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants

You can ring the DWP 48 hrs after your assessment and ask for a copy of your assessment report - this should be sent to you within a week. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't have a copy until after the decision - this occasionally happens and it's wrong information. You are entitled to see it - once it is complete it should be uploaded on to the DWP system within 48 hrs.

If you have any specific questions then please come back to the forum.

Gary