Sent request for PA4 which i got today. Not good.

Id be lying if i said i thought the assessment went well last week and hence asked for hrlp on here to get a copy of the PA4.

Daily living I scored 4, mobility 0. Never expected points for mobility so thats ok.

Daily living, well, although i really didnt have a good feeling after the assessment i was secrety hoping in some deep dark part of my head that the assessor might have been a bit more understanding than he came across as. Oh, this was with ATOS by the way.

Before my questions here are some insights that might help people?

The fact i recorded the interview *counted against me*, even though my son helped me with it, is showed. it was exampled as good cognitive skills.

Dont expect the assessor to have even read your questionnaire let alone supporting evidence before your assessment, mine didnt.

It may be that using aids and things like dossett boxes might even count against you. It seems to have had in this case anyway.




Anyway, the areas i think the assessor simply didnt listen to me or apparently decided to ignore were:

Managing toilet needs

Dressing and Undressing.

Managing therapy

If i can yet again ask for some info from the kind guys and gals on here?[\B]

1 Toilet needs.
No points given.
OK, little personal but needs must. Due to my ocd i use a jub to go to toilet into, if out i will wear a tena pad as i have a huge problem with the actual toilet. Home or outside.

Assessor mentions i can get on or off a toilet. Yes, *physically* i can. However, in reality its a moot point as i refuse to sit on the toilet anyway. Anyway, in summary he notes i use a jug, pad etc rather than the toilet but award not points in the descriptor, "I can use toilet unaided".

Did using "aids" count against me in some way?

2 Managing therapy.
No points given.
My son has set his mobile up to automatically text me every day at relevant time to take meds and i use dossett boxes. In addition my son only gives me enough meds for a week at a time as ive deliberately taken more in the past if you see what i mean.

Here all that is ignored as my cognitive skills and the fact i knew the names of the medication means "it is probable" i can manage this task independently. Either he is ignoring what i said, though me mentions the help i get or he simply didnt believe me I suppose? My son was sat next to me and confirmed it though....

3 Dressing and undressing.
No points given.
He has noted but chosen to ignore the effect ocd has on dressing. constantly having to take clothing off at home to check it, put it back on, take off again, over and over.... throwing clothing away as it feels contaminated. Odd ocd stuff that is really hard to explain even face to face yet alone on here. so he briefly mentions rituals and thats it. No mention of the fact i refuse to wear socks, wont wear a jacket even in freezing weather and need reminding to put clean clothing on.

4 Engaging with others.
No points.
Basically as i say hello to our immediate neighbour and go to doctors and talked to him, I have no issues. Though i point out I wont go out socially at all, and could only talk to him as if he was an NHS hospital psychologist as thats the only was i could cope with talking to him. He said i converse with the check put people at asda. I actually said, they say hello, I say hello and i do so whilst not even looking at them. In addition i go late at night most of time as then there is no checkout people on and its nice and free of people so can use the self service lanes. Cant use them if there are people behind me, feel too flustered.

5 Preparing food.
He gave me 2 points, Descriptor D: needs prompting to prepare a simple meal.
I have no feeling in my left arm and hand due to neurosurgery. I told him ive had a skin graft on left hand from a burn as i couldnt feel the skin burning. As such i only use a microwave or eat cold food from a can. All ignored. Including the fact that if the oven is used its used with help from my lad.

Must note: I am basing my failure to get the lowest rate of the Daily Living component only on this PA4 form. I do not require Mobility Component and never claimed to. Have NOT heard formally from DWP yet. However its obvious the writing is on the wall as the DM is likely to only rubber stamp this im sure?

Thanks for any help and info, truly appreciated. Will look into Mandatory Reassessment as soon as i hear from DWP formally.

`hi boomer

i am about to do my mr today,hence looking for tips and advice.

bro58 will probably give you some good advice he gave me some you can look at my topic

Sorry your having a rough time

Some one will be along soon to give you help

I will keep watching you so keep us updated and good luck

Hello there,

Sorry to bump this thread. Just wondered if anyone had any thoughts on the few questions I have in the post above.

Sorry that I managed to put half the post in bold print, tried to highlight just one line but must have got carried away!

Thanks all.

Boomer wrote: Hello there,

Sorry to bump this thread. Just wondered if anyone had any thoughts on the few questions I have in the post above.

Sorry that I managed to put half the post in bold print, tried to highlight just one line but must have got carried away!

Thanks all.

Where were you expecting to score points for Daily Living? Were you expecting to score 8 for something you cannot do or an accumulation of points because you use aids or need assistance?

If you are clear where you should be scoring you can then look for evidence to prove your case and if you have medical reports you can quote specific lines if they appear to back up your claim.

The guides here on appeals are also worth reading carefully as it may help you to understand how you need to word your MR/appeal. You need to be specific to point them to the area they need to review and back it up with evidence on why you think you deserve the points, preferably with something new from doctors/medical people, if you can get it. It is also worth studying the PIP assessors guide and looking for any discrepancies in their report.

Take your time. You have a whole month from when they send the decision to get the MR in. It is likely you will have to go to appeal but everything you prepare for the MR can be used for the appeal. Good luck.

Thank you both for the help.

You gave me pause for thought in the way I need to relay the problems I have to DWP.

Where I said oven for instance, that was genetic for the whole oven unit.... grill, hobs and actual oven. I didn't think to clarify that.

So easy to assume things so very helpful to hear things from another perspective.

Thanks again.

Will await DM letter now and go from there regarding a MR.