PIP and ESA F2F both in one week

I had both my PIP and ESA F2Fs last week (claims put in last summer). I have CFS/ME and am bed-bound 95% of the day. They wouldn't give me a home visit and I was seriously tempted to just cancel all claims but after reading the advice given here felt much more empowered and able to handle it.

I had decided I could actually ask to lie down, and that I could say no to doing any exercises that were asked. And I prepared my mindset, not to be negative, but to say how things really were in terms of limitation - in particular on bad days.

Both interviews went very well. The assessors were extremely kind and considerate. There was no bench in the PIP room but the ESA assessor was fine about me lying down - do whatever you need, she said - and in fact I didn't need but it was nice to know it was a possibility.

The PIP assessor was fine when I said I'd prefer not to do the exercises and why that was (the after effects of exhaustion). The ESA assessor was extremely considerate, friendly and gentle (tho thorough in her questioning).

I made sure to mention every consequence of all the symptoms. The PIP assessor hadn't asked about sleep patterns, so I remembered to tell him how disturbed they were.

The ESA assessor told me when we were near to finishing to text my lift to come and collect me so I wouldn't have to wait (they'd had to nip back to work), and at the end she said 'let's get you home and back into bed' and walked me to the front door to make sure my lift was there.

Of course she could have been checking other things about me, but I took it as a kind gesture.

All in all it was fine. I'm glad it's completed and have no idea of the outcomes, but feel very encouraged by the information that was available here. It would have been a totally different experience without it. Thank you.

Oh, and they were both very glad to get extra written information - I took an extra letter from the doctor and also the people I'm now living with (as I had to give up my flat and am not up to being on my own yet). She said 'we really like extra information'.

Anne R wrote: I had both my PIP and ESA F2Fs last week (claims put in last summer). I have CFS/ME and am bed-bound 95% of the day. They wouldn't give me a home visit and I was seriously tempted to just cancel all claims but after reading the advice given here felt much more empowered and able to handle it.

I had decided I could actually ask to lie down, and that I could say no to doing any exercises that were asked. And I prepared my mindset, not to be negative, but to say how things really were in terms of limitation - in particular on bad days.

Both interviews went very well. The assessors were extremely kind and considerate. There was no bench in the PIP room but the ESA assessor was fine about me lying down - do whatever you need, she said - and in fact I didn't need but it was nice to know it was a possibility.

The PIP assessor was fine when I said I'd prefer not to do the exercises and why that was (the after effects of exhaustion). The ESA assessor was extremely considerate, friendly and gentle (tho thorough in her questioning).

I made sure to mention every consequence of all the symptoms. The PIP assessor hadn't asked about sleep patterns, so I remembered to tell him how disturbed they were.

The ESA assessor told me when we were near to finishing to text my lift to come and collect me so I wouldn't have to wait (they'd had to nip back to work), and at the end she said 'let's get you home and back into bed' and walked me to the front door to make sure my lift was there.

Of course she could have been checking other things about me, but I took it as a kind gesture.

All in all it was fine. I'm glad it's completed and have no idea of the outcomes, but feel very encouraged by the information that was available here. It would have been a totally different experience without it. Thank you.

Oh, and they were both very glad to get extra written information - I took an extra letter from the doctor and also the people I'm now living with (as I had to give up my flat and am not up to being on my own yet). She said 'we really like extra information'.

My, My AR !!! ,

An ESA Assessment and a PIP Assessment in the one week !!

Poor you !!

Thank you very much for taking the time to relate your experiences for our members !

Hopefully you will receive positive outcomes for both.

If you haven't heard anything within a couple of weeks you can obtain updates by ringing :

THE ESA PHONE NUMBER DWP : 0345 608 8545 Press Option 3 for ESA. (Open 8AM-6PM. Mon-Fri.)

&

The PIP helpline :

Telephone: 0345 850 3322

Textphone: 0345 601 6677

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

Please keep us updated.

bro58

Gosh, that is a lot to contend with! I am glad that the assessments are behind you and that you were treated well