PIP TOMORROW

Hi, I had a telephone call last week asking me if I could attend a face to face tomorrow at 2pm. I said this was fine. Prior to that a few weeks before, I had a telephone call asking me if I could hold a cup without any help. I said yes which is exactly what I had put on my form, so not sure why they asked this question. Anyway, my query is......I have read somewhere that they take note of what you are wearing and how you look? I am not sure why this should have any bearing at all. I always try to dress reasonably well and see no reason to change things for this interview to be honest unless anyone knows otherwise. My husband will drop me off at the centre and then park the car, I believe from the letter the consultation room is on the ground floor which is no problem and there are toilet facilities. Also in the accompanying leaflet which came with the letter received today, it states I can ask to see what the assessor is writing so is it worth asking? At the end of the day, I really don't think I can add anything to what I had completed on the form so it will be interesting.

Hello Daisy3cjs,
Its not possible to say for certain why you were asked about holding a cup of tea other than they wanted to confirm that you were able to do so.
In some cases the claimants appearance may be noted but as a general rule you should dress how you would normally and look how you would normally. Make sure that the Assessor is aware that your husband has dropped you at the door. If you are given the opportunity to view what the Assessor has written on the day, this can be helpful in the event that you need to challenge the decision.

Hi many thanks.

The actual words in the leaflet are......"Please tell the Health Professional if you would like to see what they're writing in their report. Sometimes it may be easier if they describe what's being written."

Sounds slightly conflicting i.e., they are saying you can ask to see what's being written, yet then say it may be easier for them to describe what they are writing!

I shall take the leaflet with me anyway, and as you suggest will make sure the Assessor knows I have been dropped off.

I think I would also like to know the qualfications of the person who is doing the interviewing. When I received the phone call I did ask and was told it may be a Paramedic or Nurse. Well hey ho I'm really not too sure what a Paramedic would know about Pelvic Radiation Disease leading to bowel/bladder incontinence!

Thank you for all your help. Any further suggestions appreciated.

Hi Gordon, many thanks for your input. I get what you are saying about food prep etc.

I am just quoting what is in the leaflet sent with the appointment letter, so if the report is written after I have left then presumably there will be nothing for me to see anyway. If I do notice them writing then I will assume it's ok for me to ask to look at what is written. I will keep you updated.

Regarding what you wear to your PIP appointment - I requested a copy of the assessor's report and she described that my clothes were clean and appropriate for the season. She also mentioned my poor posture and muscle tone! This was a home assessment and I didn't move from the seat. She also reported that I had been able to hand her my driving licence that I had used as identification. Reporting about what I was wearing was a bit questionable as my carer washes my clothes and lays them out for me to wear, so the report was more accurately saying my carer was doing a good job!