During your assessment

What to have with you

Before the assessment gets started, you will be asked some questions to confirm your identity. For face-to-face and video assessments, you will need proof of identity documents with you including, your National Insurance number.

It’s also helpful to have a list of any medication you are taking or any information from your GP that explains how your condition affects you.

The health professional

Your assessment will be carried out by a qualified and experienced health professional such as a Doctor, Nurse, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist or Paramedic. The health professional for your assessment may depend on the type of assessment you require and your health condition or disability.

All of our health professionals are experienced and trained in health and disability assessments. Their role is to understand how your health condition or disability affects your daily life. They are not able to treat or diagnose, and they do not make the decision on benefit eligibility.

How long the assessment takes

There is no set time for your assessment. It will typically last around an hour. However, some assessments may take up to two hours depending on the number and complexity of the conditions being assessed. We want to give you as much time as you need, and make sure the health professional fully understands your case.

Questions asked during your assessment

The health professional will introduce themselves and tell you what they are going to do. Their questions will depend on the benefit you are applying for and your medical condition or disability. These questions might include:

• When your illness or disability started
• How your condition changes day to day
• How it affects your mood, behaviour and daily life
• How you cope with things day to day
• What medication you are taking.

The health professional will record information about things like pain, fatigue, and any medication you take. The assessment is your opportunity to explain how your health condition or disability affects your ability to function daily.

You may be asked to perform some movements so we can understand how this impacts you. We will never ask you to do anything that causes discomfort or pain.

Audio recordings

We will make an audio recording of your assessment unless you tell us you do not want this.

If you do not want us to make an audio recording, tell us before your appointment. You can find our contact details at the top of your appointment letter. You can also tell the health professional at the start of your assessment or at any time during it.

For more information on Audio Recording please visit:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-assessments-audio-recordings