video assessment following change in circumstances form

Hello,

I was awarded standard daily and mobility following a tribunal nearly 3 years after applying for PIP. My circumstances had changed with a worsening of symptoms and further diagnosis of two chronic and progressive conditions. I provided a lot of detail of these before my tribunal but was told in the tribunal they would only consider information given when I first applied.

Citizens Advice told me if I was awarded PIP, which I was, I could submit a change in circumstances form for new or worsening symptoms, which I did. When I phoned up to do this I said I couldn't go through any kind of assessment again as it was so stressful and made me very ill, and was told I wouldn't need to, that I would just submit the form and ask them to refer to the additional evidence detailing my worsening symptoms and further diagnosis. So I did. And now I've received a message to say I will have a video assessment in a week and a half.

I literally have no one to be with me during this, as I only have two friends and they both live a long way away. One came to the tribunal with me but is away with work at the moment as well as being over 5 hours drive away. I have no family either, only a cousin I haven't seen for 25 years.

I really do not know what to do, and wish I had not submitted the change in circumstances because I can't cope with this situation or the process of an assessment. Especially by myself. It's just too much to cope with

Does anyone have any advice? Or experience of an assessment after a change in circumstances? I know my conditions and symptoms have worsened, and the two conditions I have since been diagnosed with will not improve and will only worsen over time. But I also know after my first assessment there were things in there that I hadn't even said and a lot of assumptions that were untrue.

One option may be to complain. If you have a disability as defined under section 6 of the Equality Act 2010, and the stress and/or distress of the face-to-face assessment exasperates that disability, you could argue that you are subject to indirect disability discrimination etc.

In any event, if you feel that it is unfair and/or unreasonable for you to be subject to a further face-to-face assessment, you can, of course, complain about that too.

A letter from your GP in this regard may help.

You could also ask that the assessment is suspended pending any final response to your complaint.

Unfortunately, the default position seems to be that face-to-face assessments are required, so you have to challenge that depending on your circumstances.

I can really empathise with what you are going through. The stress of these assessments can be really overwhelming.

Keep us posted.

I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this. What you’re feeling is very understandable, and a lot of people find this part of the process overwhelming, especially after how long and draining the tribunal was.

A change of circumstances almost always triggers a reassessment, even if someone on the phone suggested otherwise. That doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. You acted in good faith based on the advice you were given.

A few practical things you can do right now. You can ring and ask for the assessment to be postponed if you’re unwell or not able to cope at such short notice. That is allowed. You can also ask for it to be recorded and for reasonable adjustments, such as extra time, breaks, or questions being repeated slowly. If video feels too much, you can request a phone assessment instead.

You are allowed to have someone with you on speaker, even if they’re not physically present. Some people have a friend join by phone just to listen and step in if needed. If that’s not possible, you can still ask the assessor to note that you’re alone and struggling.

Try to remember this assessment is about how you are now, not proving anything dramatic. Answer honestly, stick to your worst days, and don’t minimise to get through it. If it goes badly, decisions can be challenged again. You’re not trapped, even though it feels like it right now.

AliaWaite wrote:

I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this. What you’re feeling is very understandable, and a lot of people find this part of the process overwhelming, especially after how long and draining the tribunal was. A change of circumstances almost always triggers a reassessment, even if someone on the phone suggested otherwise. That doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. You acted in good faith based on the advice you were given. A few practical things you can do right now. You can ring and ask for the assessment to be postponed if you’re unwell or not able to cope at such short notice. That is allowed. You can also ask for it to be recorded on tropical-casino.com/website and for reasonable adjustments, such as extra time, breaks, or questions being repeated slowly. If video feels too much, you can request a phone assessment instead. You are allowed to have someone with you on speaker, even if they’re not physically present. Some people have a friend join by phone just to listen and step in if needed. If that’s not possible, you can still ask the assessor to note that you’re alone and struggling.

Try to remember this assessment is about how you are now, not proving anything dramatic. Answer honestly, stick to your worst days, and don’t minimise to get through it. If it goes badly, decisions can be challenged again. You’re not trapped, even though it feels like it right now.
It can also help to write down a few key points before the assessment. When we’re anxious, our minds go blank, and it’s easy to forget important details. Jot down examples of what happens on a bad day, what support you need, and what you struggle with. Keep it in front of you so you can refer to it if you freeze up.

If you have any recent medical letters, prescriptions, or notes from professionals, keep those nearby too. Even if they’ve already been submitted, it can reassure you to have them to hand. If you become overwhelmed during the assessment, it’s okay to say so. You can ask for a pause. You can ask them to repeat a question. You do not have to push through distress just to seem cooperative.

Afterwards, be kind to yourself. These assessments take a lot out of people. Plan something small and comforting for when it’s over, even if that’s just resting or watching something familiar. You’ve already been through a tribunal, which shows how much strength you have, even if you don’t feel it right now. One step at a time.