Is it a good idea to accompany clients to ESA/PIP face to face assessments

Hi

Do you think it is a good idea to accompany clients to face to face assessments to

a) provide moral support

b) to act as a witness for what was said?

Thanks

In an ideal world, yes. Sadly, we just don’t have the resources to accompany clients. We always advise our clients to have someone with them however (partner, family member, close friend, etc) for those very reasons.

I agree. In addition to the reasons you mentioned I think that in many cases a partner, carer, family member or friend can even help to provide information for the WCA.

This could be directly or just by prompting and reminding the client about things that don’t immediately spring to mind (particularly if they have some experience of benefit assessments or have been briefed about what to expect beforehand).

Other possible gains:

- the HCP might be inclined to do a more thorough (or fair) job, if there is an adviser present?

- it should help us advise future clients better on exactly what to expect.

If you are going along, you may want to see the sections in the PIP Assessment Guide and the WCA Handbook that advise the HCP on dealing with accompanying persons.