PIP phone assessment, recording? they choose date?

Hi everyone. 3 months after submitting my paper reapplication for PIP, I've received notice of an appointment for a phone assessment with IAS (atos). The appt is for 9am in 7 days time. I have a severe sleep disorder which, combined with brain injury & other issues, means I can't wake up at that time.

I phoned yesterday and they said I could change it to a 2pm slot on another day. My sister can drive here that day to be with me (I struggle with brain blank outs and can find I forget everything. She will support me)

However, when I asked if they could record the assessment (as is suggested in the Guide to PIP in B&W) - they said that they couldn't record it on that date - and that they couldn't give me any indication of a date when they could record it. They said they would have to 'pick' a date for me. I said I am incapable of speaking in the mornings and they said they could make a note that I would like an afternoon recorded appointment. But that once I agree to them picking a date, I would have to go with whatever date they choose, there can be no changing it. I said I would get back to them.

My question is - how important is it to ask them to record the assessment? I shall do my own recording (covertly). I am not sure if I trust them to give me an afternoon slot. It would be very difficult for me to manage a morning appt and very difficult for my sister to be with me in the morning. I don't know whether to just let them pick a date when they can record it or whether to choose the date that they have told me can be an afternoon (but can't be recorded).

Any thoughts or advice on this would be very welcome. I hope my post makes some sense! Thank you everyone!

Thank you Gary. Yes, I shall do my own private recording!
I guess I am wondering whether there is much benefit in getting them to do a recording?
I am trying to weigh up the potential benefit of them recording the assessment against the possibility that they may choose a time / date that is v difficult for me / impossible for my sister.
I would love to hear any viewpoints on this.
Thank you for all your help

Hi oceanwave [what a lovely name, such a calming thought!]. Just my personal take, with a sister who has exactly the same problem as you, a nightmare getting social workers etc etc to NOT call her before 2pm. I think you are wise not to trust them. As you sound confident about doing your own recording, I would take the afternoon slot that works for you and your sister [bless her for her support]. This way you stay in control not them, which I think will make you feel much better.
If you eventually have to quote your recording and anybody moans, you can jolly well tell them that you did your own because they failed to make reasonable adjustments for your disability, can't you?
My best wishes that it goes smoothly; do do a test run [maybe get your sister to phone you up and pretend to ask some of the questions??] to see that what you play back is fully audible of both you and the person phoning.
And don't forget/ask your sister to remind you - to call and request the assessment report [PA4] 48 hours after the assessment, and if fobbed off just call again.
Regards, Denby

Thank you Denby! That is really helpful. I was veering towards the option of me choosing the date, rather than them, .and when I read your post, that confirmed it! I went ahead and phoned IAS, and have arranged an afternoon slot in a couple of weeks from now. Yes, I think I would have felt really anxious if I had let them choose it - wondering if they actually WOULD choose an afternoon slot. It is so nice that you understand how difficult it can be to have a sleep pattern that is out of synch with other people's. It is very challenging with appointments!

Thanks for your tips about doing a test run and getting my sister to ask me some questions. That is a great idea - with the mix of my brain problems & anxiety issues, I find answering questions extremely difficult. I am hoping that if that happens on the day of the assessment (i.e. me going blank and unable to speak) that the assessor will allow my sister to help me with a prompt / or help explain for me - she was allowed to do that in the PIP face to face a few years back.

Many thanks for your help. I am very grateful for this forum and for the B&W guides. It really helps me to feel less alone and overwhelmed with these claims.
Best wishes, Oceanwave