Telephone assessment

Hi Sharon,

Having an assessment, is like going to the dentist, you know it's going to be horrible, but it has to happen! However, you can prepare for it, and then it may not seem to be quite so bad. I'm not sure whether you are applying for PIP or ESA, but the questions will often have the same general format. There is normally a brief discussion about work/household/children/pets etc, and then a more focussed one about each activity (descriptor.)
If you have a copy of the claim form, then read this through, and be clear what you said. It might be helpful to have this with you, but best not to read out the answers. The important thing is to be consistent, and be yourself. As an example - f you say you have a dog, then make sure that the Assessor is aware that you never take it for a walk - your partner does this because you can't walk that far. Otherwise, it is highly likely that the Assessor will comment 'has dog, and takes it for a walk, can therefore walk over 200m'. As this is probably going to be a phone assessment the assessor won't be able to see you. When in the same room, he could see your pain, and you fidgetting around because you are not comfortable, or you shaking terribly through anxiety. So, you have to explain these things out loud. You could say eg 'I would like a short break, my hands are very shaky', or ''I'm very uncomfortable, the pain in my leg is particularly bad', etc etc
Have someone with you, if possible - they can write notes. It is unlikely that the other person will be allowed to speak on your behalf, but can prompt if necessary, and can make sure you as comfortable as possible, and comment on your mental/physical state if this appears relevant.
Try not to take additional medication on the day of the asessment - if you take an extra painkiller, you may come across as not being tired or in pain, this gives a false impression. Likewise, unless you absolutely need to, don't take extra medication for eg anxiety. You want to show the assessor that you are the anxious person described on the claim form. If you have things to do the day before, then do everything you want/can - if this makes you fatigued the next day, then so be it - if you have written on the form that fatigue/pain etc prevents you from doing things, then you will show this, and hopefully come across as tired. (If you rest up, and can then sit comfortably, and easily answer questions, then you may not come across as the same person who is described in the claim form as eg struggles to walk any distance and becomes breathless.) Do be brutally honest with what you say, I appreciate that it difficult talking about health problems and what your limitations are, and this is more difficult when you are talking to a stranger - don't play down your problems, and give examples of falls, fits, panic attacks, kitchen accidents etc that relate to the various descriptor activities. Also, if relevant, explain why you only take low doses of medication, or can't take certain pills.
As I said earlier, this is like a visit to the dentist, a necessary evil, but some dentists are actually ok! It is natural for you to have some concerns, and worry, particularly if this is all new to you. If possible try to concentrate on something else you like doing, and not focus too much on the assessment.
I wish you luck.

LL26