Query re my PIP home assessment today.

Had my home assessment today. Assessor was pleasant enough, didnt make me do anything that would cause me pain. Spent most of the time on his laptop rarely looking up and just seemed as if he wanted it done as quick as he could get it done, although he was here for almost an hour. He said it would be 6-8 weeks before I find out. I have a couple of queries for this site. Firstly, although he appeared to have read some information on my condition (which he said was on his computer). He seemed unaware of a lot of things and certainly would seem not to have read the large quantity of additional information and supporting evidence I had sent in with my claim. At the end of the interview he said he did not have this, the DWP keep all the additional infor and Evidence. Is this right? Also I would like to get a copy of his report A S A P, can I ask the DWP for it before they make their decision, or do I have to wait for their decision. then ask for it. It is just if I need to appeal the longer I have his report the more chance I can prepare for any appeal. Thanks in advance,

Hi Lizzie,

Everything that you send in will go to the Assessment Provider first, the assessor is supposed to read it before they see the claimant! After the assessor has made a recommendation, all paperwork will then be sent to DWP who will store it for a limited period.

You can phone DWP and ask for a copy of the assessor's report, it's worth leaving it for a week or so in order for your file to be received by DWP. A few members have been told they must wait until after the decision was made, but this is not usual for PIP.

I'm due a home assesment soon and wondered about this as I sent lots of medical and supporting evidence. I have made copies of everything I sent for my own records and intend having it to hand for when the assessor arrives at my home in a few weeks time. I will be insistent that he/she views any info where I suspect there might be gaps in his/her knowledge of my condition and how it affects me. I gathered from the original dwp letter that they receive reams of information from the internet, where claimants send them print outs of general diagnosis of medical conditions, i.e. how arthritis affects people etc. This made me chuckle and I guess it must frustrate them when claimants are teaching them to suck eggs as it were. I ensured that all my evidence was specific to me and how it affects me on a daily basis but as stated, it does no harm to keep copies to hand and when it becomes apparent during the face2face that the assessor has gaps in evidence you can show them and insist, politely, that it's taken into account.

Good luck with your assessment Micksville. I had a copies of everything I had sent in - my claim form, my additional information and the supporting evidence from my doctors . I had them placed in on a table in front of the Assessor. I asked the Assessor if he had read all the extra information I had sent in, because if not it was there in front of him. His answer was he just did the assessment, it is the DWP that reads the additional information and they would already have it!. I find this so hard to understand!. I have also had some adaptations done to my house which I mention on my claim form. I asked if he wanted to see them and he said no it wasnt necessary. He spent most of the assessment looking down at the keyboard. My advice for your assessment is dont let them rush you. It is quite difficult when they are obviously in a rush, furiously tapping on a keyboard not looking up and moving you on when you try to explain. My Assessor was a nurse, but I felt hel he did not have a full understanding of some of my conditions, so I really dont know how he could make an accurate assessment, so now I am waiting for a decision which the assessor says will take 6-8 weeks..