what happens at

A question about : what happens at

Is there anyone who has applied for PIP since it was introduced able to let me know what happens at an assessment interview please? I have read the points system and understand how the points are applied. i am wondering how they get the info for this, whether it is the specific questions as per the points system or more free-range, so to speak? Thanks.

Sorry, posted too quickly! the title should be what happens at a PIP assessment! Already qualified to received child DLA but obviously things have changed. The DLA was a form and not a face to face assessment. Thanks again.

Best answers:

• They will never ever ask:
  'Can you A) Mobilise 200m '...
  It is a structured interview - aimed to get enough information to answer these points.
  So - for example if you say you go to the supermarket to do your shopping, it's reasonable for them to assume that you walk >20m to get round it, you can make change, lift shopping, ...
• The interview itself was friendly and the young lady that interviewed me was an occupational therapist. I set my phone to record and left it on the desk throughout the interview.
  I think the most important thing to say is that the interview is conversational in style and directed to tease out enough information for the interviewer to come to conclusions about your ability to do certain things, ie the points criteria. It took place in a medical centre and I was able to take a friend with me. It took about an hour. You are allowed reasonable adjustments to ensure that you are able to access the interview. eg, wheelchair accessibility, having a relative or supporter with you or a BSL or lipspeaker if you are deaf/HOH.
  I think that some of what I said wasn't communicated effectively enough as I said that I can do some things sometimes, but not all the time, my decision has not taken account of these difficulties. Thus I've had to ask for a review of my decision. (I was awarded 1 point off higher daily living component)
• So my advice is, always make sure that you stress your problems as they are on a bad day rather than a good day if they are variable.
• Record the interview so you can go back and compare their summary of the meeting (you get one in your decision letter) to your recording. thus you have evidence to back up any assertions that you make.

BTW, you should tell them that they're being recorded.

• I was dreading my PIP home assessment thanks to all the scaremongering I'd heard and I won't deny that it wasn't arduous! 1 hour and 40 minutes of highlighting what I could and couldn't do was pretty tiring and depressing.
  I felt I was entitled to LRC in order to help me continue to work but my award was a lot higher.
  I was given the chance to explain the difference between 'good days' and 'bad days' also how the medication and depression affects me.
  I never got the impression the the Nurse was just ticking boxes to say no. She changed my wording occssionally and repeated what I'd said back with an opportunity to qualify it and I came out really well.
• Thanks, this will be for my daughter who will be switching to adult dla/pip at 16. It looks like PIP isn't quite here yet and what I thought may be the assessment this week will be something to see if I can apply on her behalf even as she reaches 16 (end april). Its difficult for a 16 yr old to be able to talk through what is a good or bad day I think, which is why i hope to do this for her. Especially as she has a metabolic liver disease and this is so variable.
  All your comments are so helpful! Thanks.
• Hey, am I not right in saying that a decision to bring someone in for a face to face assessment should not be made until after the assessor has obtained evidence from the health professionals that are stated on the PIP claim form?
  If they don't carry this out and call for the claimant to come for an assessment, could it be argued that the assessor (a) did not comply with their instructions and (b) failed to give weight to any evidence that would be available if they had called for it. Maladministration???
  I seem to remember reading in the last PIP review that the assessor is clearly responsible to carry out these actions BEFORE a call to assessment is made.
• That was a really interesting question.
  I have Scleroderma/Sjogrens Syndrome/Reynauds Syndrome and Dupuytrens Contracture.
  I recently had a meeting with my Rheumatology consultants boss, for a conclusive diagnosis of my conditions (of 5 years). She had tried 3 times to get my notes from local Hospitals and doctors about my condition, and failed.
  At my appointment with her I had to have a total top to toe medical/ family history/ Xrays/ bloods etc ; she basically started from scratch.
  I have future appointments for ECG and Pulmonary function tests. And Chemotherapy.
  I have just received, from Atos; a PiP appointment at Bannatyne`s Fitness and Health Centre; Belmont, Durham.
  Pretty ironic don`t you think!
  I wish I could attend this centre for any other appointment than this one.
  To say this is distressing, from the PiP application forms; to now ; is putting it mildly.
  Has anyone in Government thought that an assessment interview rate from DLA to PiP of 97%;is extraordinarily odd?
  Have to take my meds now!
  John