PIP Assessment - The dreaded Assumptions.

I had completed a new PIP claim as my award ran out in January and have recently had my telephone PIP Assessment which lasted 1hr 18 mins. My form had been completed a bit at a time over a 10 day period with my husbands assistance, having read each section of the guide thoroughly beforehand.

We prepared ahead for the assessment and had notes to help as my memory is not reliable and I can go blank sometimes and have difficulty finding words I want and told the assessor so. The assessor seemed very nice and had obviously read my information beforehand.

If asked how it went afterwards I would have said I felt it went quite well, although as usual it has taken over a week to recover from the assessment to a point that I can actually settle at all to do small tasks. However, after having had to go through the appeals process last time and knowing how inaccurate the report was when I claimed last time, I requested a copy of the report from DWP which has now arrived.

What can I say! On reading the report with my husband you would think I had no issues at all and was a bare faced liar which I find really upsetting as my integrity is important to me.
He states I show no evidence of cognitive impairment, was alert and orientated, answered thoroughly and appropriately. Didn't need any prompting etc etc. Only areas he suggests I need assistance with are supervising meds, and using toileting aids. According to him I can prepare food, I don't need prompting to eat or drink, and so on throughout the descriptors. The annoying fact is that I now have to wait several weeks for the DWP decision to come through, but I can't see any way DWP will award based on the assessment report I have seen and therefore I foresee I will have to go through the rigmarole of mandatory reconsideration and potentially the appeals process again. Knowing how I struggled with this last time I am not sure I can cope with it again.

I think it doesn't help that I used to work in assessing individuals health needs for discharge from hospital but was retired on health grounds with a mixed anxiety and depression disorder, but I still go into some sort of professional mode when dealing with other professionals in the field despite the long term effect this has on my mental health.

Throughout the assessment the assessor quoted that I had been on the same meds for several years, although I also have an additional prescription of Diazepam at the Psychiatrists instruction. I no longer have mental health input as had been discharged to the care of my GP; I am able to drive, despite being told that the last time I drove a car was July 20 and nearly had an accident as I didn't realise where I was and had to brake very sharply to take a turning and haven't driven since.
I am also supposedly able to plan and follow a journey unaided, despite having explained I am not safe out on my own, and on and on. I won't bore you with too many examples

Feeling incredibly frustrated and low.

Dear Marian, it's awful. But I just want to back Catherine in urging you to write in ASAP systematically debunking the filthy tide of lies by referencing your evidence old or new. It was successful for our daughter after a nearly-as-untruthful report on her last year. It was the first time in three applications I had done this, and the first time we did not have to do MR and appeal. Power to you, they give you hell but if you feel weak at the prospect of fighting, please remember that dozens upon dozens of readers on here are willing you onwards! Just remember to put in your letter that it is not an MR request but you reserve the right to still do an MR.
Hope it helps to know of the wave of good-will, Denby