pip telephone assessment

Hi aaajayne

I'm sorry that you're in this position. A lot of people with hearing deficits are still sent a telephone assessment. I don't know whether you tried to change the assessment type, which you can do, but it is a bit late now. I don't know what you said about your hearing, but I know when people don't have hearing aids - the DWP tend to think the person's hearing problems are not that serious. Of course, that's ridiculous, but I'm afraid I've heard of it happening time and time again. If you have confirmation from a medical professional that you can't use the phone, you could still get someone to ring and cancel the appointment and then try and get them to change the type - paper-based or face-to-face. They don't have to agree to the change, and you would find that you would have to take whatever date they offered the next time.

If you want to go ahead, you will have to tell the assessor from the beginning the difficulties you have and ask them to repeat anything. I would try and have someone with you and get them to make a covert recording of the assessment. You could also ask the assessor to record the assessment - which they may do, or they may refuse and say a new appointment will have to be made.

BIS

Hi aaajayne

It should not go against you, just make sure you tell the assessor that you are waiting to see two different consultants, did you send in any supporting documents about the appointments, if you did then reference them.

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.

Gary