Well, I’ve been called for a medical and am not looking forward to it! I managed t get DLA and ESA without having to attend one.
Obviously I’m a member of Benefits and Works and completed the form using their guides. My husband will be coming with me, he’ll be driving and I’ll go into the centre in my wheelchair which will be pushed by him.
I was just wondering if anyone had any advice or would like to relate their experiences. I’m particularly interested in any tests that were done on fine motor skills.
I’m PPMS by the way. Oh, and it’s the day before we go on holiday!
well, just do as you do every day…be honest and dont push yourself further than you do normally. and I dont mean pushing yourself with regard to your chair! But I expect you`ve already gathered that!
not been summoned yet meself…but dreading those papers slamming through my postbox!
As I say on here quite often, it is very good practice to ring the DWP and ask for a copy of the report Capita/ATOS have sent to them (form PA4 I think it is called)
DWP get the report within a couple of days of the assesment and you are entitled to a copy. You do not have to wait for the DWP to make their decision before getting it.
It is VERY useful because it gives you a pretty good idea of what your award will be as it lays out the assesment descriptor by descriptor so you can see what points they have assessed you for each.
The DWP is not bound to follow what the assessor has said but they usually do (they would have to have really good grounds which could be objectively justified to deviate).
So you would have an early heads up of the probable decision. If it’s good news then a little less stress. If it is bad news it gives you more time to get your case for reconsideration and appeal together.
Thanks very much for the advice. I’ll certainly ask for a copy of the report when I come back from holiday.
I’d put dates on the form when I couldn’t attend and had included the day before our holiday, they’ve obviously chosen to ignore it! I’ve come to the conclusion it’s easier to go and get it over with. Hopefully, they read the form properly before the appointment.
Just got back from the appointment and it really wasn’t that bad!
I was in for around 45 minutes where the nurse went through the form with me. She didn’t ask me to get out of my wheelchair. I was asked to touch each fingertip with my thumb and to close my eyes and say if she was touching my legs and that was it.
She did ask about hobbies, aids and adaptations and if I had a mobile phone.
When we got home I requested the report from my medical. I received it yesterday and it looks very promising. The decision maker at DWP still has to look at it to finalise the decision but it looks as if I’ll be getting a pay rise! The only problem seems to be around when I should be reviewed. The nurse suggests this should be in 18 months which to me is ludicrous and a complete waste of money. I’d really rather not have to do the same thing again so soon. Hopefully the decision maker will be a bit more sensible!
At least I can relax now knowing that in all probability I’m not going to lose the car.
Sounds hopeful! The review times are really stupid aren’t they? In my case the assessor ticked the 3 year box but I was given 4 years but there is absolutely no rhyme or reason to it.
I think the review period being regular is good unless you have an enhanced award for both levels. Having a progressive illness that is likely to get worse may suggest that your award may increase in future so needs a regular review. Just my thoughts.
This was my PIP meeting I think but it was the one where they really decide if you are sick or not. Fortunately I had forwarded them a three year potted history of all the things that didn’t work anymore. She liked this as it made her job more efficient.
I went for an 8 a.m. appointment to get it out of the way and really do not operate correctly at that time in the morning. I also look very ill at that time of the morning! I took all of my assisting items with me, sticks, back support, ankle supports, caliper thingy. The lady who interviewed/spoke to me was lovely. She didn’t ask me to do anything physical, after talking to me for ages about what I can’t do, what has changed, what specialist items I have to use just to live and eat, she just said 'Well, Pam you are a bit knackered aren’t you?" Yes I replied, just a bit.
They have been supportive ever since. I also view it as a way of them making sure they are doing the right thing by us. For instance, the reviews I see as a way of making sure they are providing enough in the way of support or ensuring we know where to go for support. The lady I spoke to gave me loads of handy tips about everyday living and where to go for small specialist equipment like weighted cutlery, up to this point no-one had helped me with anything like this. It took me nearly three years to get and find the correct disability centre to advice on M.S. living.
I know this isn’t everybody’s view but at the time, I was just glad to still be alive and thought if anyone helps me with anything that’s great, if not I haven’t lost anything. Funny but after that interview/discussion I felt like the air had been cleared and also very emotional as it had been the first conversation with anyone, telling them about all the things I could not do anymore and I think it was the realisation for me that they were gone and a new beginning was here.
Well, as the postman says every morning “Alright Pam”, “Well I’m still here!”.
Just thought I’d let you know that the decision has come today. It’s Enhanced in both parts for an ongoing period! They will contact me again but this won’t be until after June 2026!
So, I can now relax and enjoy the £25 a week rise!
Good Luck to anyone else going through the process.