very stressed indeed

Hi

Having just seen that the TS area is going to be covered re PIP from February, I'm very nervous indeed. Have just gone through a dreadful year trying to get serious trauma therapy, and complaint about to progress re that. Have serious physical (arthritis, chronic exhaustion, muscles wasted, etc) and mental issues (severe trauma/dissociation, that manifested in long-term hallucinations where raped/abused constantly), isolated long-term, despair about any support.

To read that they might want to visit the house worries me, as, with finding no help, I realised I was going to end up crippled, abused in a care home, or topping myself unless I try to build health somehow, but that I have to have full back support to do anything ... got a small gym installed in other room, and already had an exercise bike there from years ago. Worried they'll totally misread things if they visit. I manage very little exercise, loads of pain (lots of painkillers), and exhausted by it. Lost any fitness I had via unable to move for last 9 years, due to attacks.

Realise this is very extreme what I'm writing, and apologise. Have DLA high rate mobility and low rate care, ESA Support group. DLA until January 2016. No date was given about ESA Support, but within 2 weeks of appealing ESA work group decision, was placed in ESA support group, without medical.

Worried too, as new GP since moving isn't good. Hardly go out, except to occasional gp appt, if have to, as there's no care or time given. Trying to seek better gp. Had explained when had to apply for DLA again that not going out, not notes at gp etc. DLA went through fine too then. Think they see all these issues and think there's no point bothering blocking, but am worried they'll not understand about having some equipment in the other room. There's no medical help, or mental health help, so all I can do is try to do a little bit of exercise, to try to recover some energy, and lose weight.

question was if they look around house, or is interview in main room. Thanks.

Cat wrote: Hi

Having just seen that the TS area is going to be covered re PIP from February, I'm very nervous indeed. Have just gone through a dreadful year trying to get serious trauma therapy, and complaint about to progress re that. Have serious physical (arthritis, chronic exhaustion, muscles wasted, etc) and mental issues (severe trauma/dissociation, that manifested in long-term hallucinations where raped/abused constantly), isolated long-term, despair about any support.

To read that they might want to visit the house worries me, as, with finding no help, I realised I was going to end up crippled, abused in a care home, or topping myself unless I try to build health somehow, but that I have to have full back support to do anything ... got a small gym installed in other room, and already had an exercise bike there from years ago. Worried they'll totally misread things if they visit. I manage very little exercise, loads of pain (lots of painkillers), and exhausted by it. Lost any fitness I had via unable to move for last 9 years, due to attacks.

Realise this is very extreme what I'm writing, and apologise. Have DLA high rate mobility and low rate care, ESA Support group. DLA until January 2016. No date was given about ESA Support, but within 2 weeks of appealing ESA work group decision, was placed in ESA support group, without medical.

Worried too, as new GP since moving isn't good. Hardly go out, except to occasional gp appt, if have to, as there's no care or time given. Trying to seek better gp. Had explained when had to apply for DLA again that not going out, not notes at gp etc. DLA went through fine too then. Think they see all these issues and think there's no point bothering blocking, but am worried they'll not understand about having some equipment in the other room. There's no medical help, or mental health help, so all I can do is try to do a little bit of exercise, to try to recover some energy, and lose weight.

HI C,

I am really sorry to hear of your problems, past and present !!

Firstly, as your fixed term DLA award is due to end in January 2016, you should not expect to be invited to claim PIP until around August 2015.

Even DLA recipients with Indefinite Awards can expect to be invited to claim PIP sometime after October 2015.

When the time eventually comes for your transfer to PIP, it is not a given that you will have to undergo a Face to Face (F2F) Assessment.

If you can provide enough evidence with your PIP 2 Form in addition to any supporting evidence that your G.P. or other treating HCP can provide, a PIP award can be recommended on the paper evidence alone. (Much like ESA)

If you do have to take part in a F2F, you could request that it is carried out in an Assessment Centre.

Looking at : The PIP Postcode Map, It seems that TS Postcode comes under Lot 3, which means that ATOS will be carrying out the assessment.

ATOS PIP Webpage.

ATOS are far more reluctant to carry out Home Assessments than Capita, so it is highly probable that any F2F would not be carried out in your home, and that is if one is deemed necessary.

Something to consider is that the way that you manage to travel to and from an assessment centre and all the actions involved, will be taken into account as part of a F2F.

You may therefore wish to balance up the options of trying to secure a Home Assessment, and if you attain one explaining your exercise equipment in the other room, if the Assessor actually sees it in the other room, and any assumptions that may be made if you travel to and from an assessment centre.

Again, I must reiterate that it is not a foregone conclusion that any form of F2F will be deemed necessary.

Feedback from members thus far regarding Capita and ATOS Assessors carrying out F2F assessments has been far more positive than with ESA F2F assessments.

You may want to start reading up on PIP in the near future, in preparation :

PIP Claims Guide. (2nd Link on page)

PIP Self Test

PIP Topic Thread in Spotlight Area

With regards to your ESA SG award, and when you should expect to be reassessed.

As you may know, deferrals of reassessments for current ESA recipients began in January 2014 due to the huge backlog :

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?view=top...02342&start=6#126501

Our advice is to be as prepared as you can be for when The ESA50 arrives, you could make a start on The PDF ESA50 now :

Using The PDF Version Of The ESA50 Questionnaire

Whilst referring to the guides on this page :

ESA Claims Guides

See also :

How long do I have to complete the ESA50?

ESA50 too big for the envelope

&

Sending Documents to the DWP or ATOS

Then when the paper version arrives through the post, you could update the PDF ESA50, save it, print it off and post it back by the deadline given.

You may be able to find out the date that you are due for ESA reassessment by ringing :

THE ESA PHONE NUMBER DWP : 0345 608 8545 Press Option 3 for ESA.

Failing that, you can make a written request, see : This Post.

Please post any further queries that you may have by replying to this topic.

bro58

Cat wrote: question was if they look around house, or is interview in main room. Thanks.

Hi C,

Any Home Assessment should take place in a room of your choosing, even if this is a bedroom.

There would be no reason for an assessor to look in another room, and you don't have to give permission.

They "May" wish to look at washing/bathing and cooking facilities if you state that you have limitations tied to these activities, and/or you have any sort of aids or adaptations.

Feedback from other members thus far does not seem to infer that assessors have looked in other rooms in their property.

Other members who have undergone a Home PIP Assessment are most welcome to provide their own input regarding this.

bro58

Thanks so much, bro58. Really appreciate your advice.

I'll follow up what you've recommended, and thanks too about there's no reason for them to see in the other room. I sleep in the front room, due to noise at the back of the property, so can just say the other room is storage.

You're right about weighing up whether to request a home visit or make my way there ... I think a home visit looks to be the best option I should choose on paper, especially with assurances that they don't have to look in the spare room. I'm fine about them seeing the kitchen and bathroom, and it's great to hear that other members have fed back that assessors don't tend to look around the entire property. Thanks again. Feel a lot better now.

Hi,
As in my recent post I had a home visit which lasted 2 1/2 hours and was all endured in the one room even though I have special washing facilities and cooking aids as stated on my form she never asked to see any other part of the house despite being there so long.
Hope that helps
Effie : )