PIP telephone assessment tomorrow: Terrified

Hi Steve

Welcome to the forum.

I know you're terrified about tomorrow and worrying about the outcome, but the best thing you can do right now is prepare for tomorrow.

Have you had a look at the Guide to PIP claims and reviews? From page 123 it gives you an example of the type of questions you will be asked. You may find some of them don't come up, but at least it will give you an idea what to expect.

Be aware that the assessor will often through in a curveball and ask a question that throws you off guard. If you find yourself panicking, tell them you need to take a drink of water. Don't force yourself to answer something you don't know, and if you have to say you can't remember - just say so. A family member of mine was asked what their last job title was at a PIP review. That has absolutely nothing to do with PIP, and they couldn't remember, and that's what they told the assessor.

Don't worry if you give a slightly different answer. It happens all the time. Lots of people can't remember exactly what they wrote on their forms and as there's generally a long time-lapse it's to be expected. Sometimes things change and sometimes people genuinely can't remember. You have probably heard some real horror stories, and yes, some of them are true - but there are some decent assessors, and many people have a 'reasonable experience' in the most stressful of situations.

Make sure that you have a glass of water and a pad of paper. If you can - make a covert recording of the assessment. Don't tell them you are recording because they may stop the assessment. You can ask them to make a recording, but some assessors don't agree, and some say it can't be done at the last minute if it's not been pre-arranged.

When you have had the assessment, you can ring the DWP for a copy of the assessment report 48 hours after the assessment has taken place. It's called a PA4. Don't let anyone tell you that you have to wait for the decision letter before you can have the report - that's not true. If you get a call handler that says that - try and correct them, but it they disagree just put the phone down and ring again. It takes 7 - 10 days to arrive.

The assessment report will give you an idea of what you might be awarded. When you get that - depending on what it says, you can decide what you want to do next. I don't want to say any more at this point because you have to get through tomorrow. If, by chance, your PIP is denied - come back, and we will point you in the direction of what you should do next.

Best of luck tomorrow.

BIS

Hi Steve

If you have a look at our PIP guide at the link below you will see that there are a number of 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.
benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip

- Write yourself a bullet point list of any particular points you want to get over, so you have it by you during the assessment, tick them as you cover them during the assessment.
- have paper and pens to hand to make any notes such as the assessors name, date, time
- make sure you are seated in a comfortable chair, you are going to be there a while and at table to make notes
- if you can't hear or understand what is being asked then ask them to repeat the question
- don’t let the assessor rush you and get you flustered.
- don't forget to have a glass of water if needed so you don't get a dry throat and lose your voice!

Don't forget to contact DWP 48 hours after the assessment and ask for a copy of the assessors report called PA4.

Good luck

Gary