PIP Telephone Assessment and Appointee

Hi J

The reason that your son has you as his appointee is that a DWP officer decided that he does not have the mental capacity to administer his Benefits claim. So this being the case it is acceptable for him to not participate in the interview at all and for the Appointee to respond. Having said that the PIP Assessor will initially attempt to start a conversation with him.
It is at the assessors discretion if your husband is allowed to contribute.

Let me know how you get on.
David

Hi J

Please be very, very careful. I hope you have a good assessor (and there are some despite all the horror stories), but many of them appear to have little knowledge of autism and what to expect. I don't know your son, and it's entirely up to you what you do, but as his appointee, you can say that your son can't speak to the assessor if that's what you prefer. Some of them will try and bully you into agreeing that they have to speak to him. They don't have to - you're his appointee. If there is a danger that your son won't fully understand what is being asked of him and the implications, step in very quickly. I'm an appointee for a relative, who has severe mental health difficulties, and I would not allow them anywhere near them, because assessors can trick people with questions - appear to understand and then write something entirely different in a report. I'm not trying to scare you, but please just be on your guard. As I say there are nice ones (I've met some of them) but if you need to protect your son, don't hesitate to do so. I hope it goes well for your son and yourself.

BIS