Phone Assessment Next week, very stressed

Hi Jaenor

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!

additional information

1. Record the assessment surreptitiously. (Never trust that there won't be a problem with their equipment!)
2. Have someone with you (if you can).
3. Tell the assessor if you're tired or anxious and need a break.
4. Be aware of the unexpected question. Nearly everyone gets one - I think it's a deliberate ploy to confuse you or say that you're not depressed because you can remember something from 20 years ago!
5. If you normally take medication and would have taken it before the assessment - do so and tell the assessor.

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

Gary