Claiming PIP

Oh No!!

DLA / PIP coming round again.

This is torture!

Well Folks I won’t be needing to chat on here anymore as I am apparently cured!!!!

I asked for a copy of the assessment forms filled out at my face to face & it’s a pile of S***!!!!
Apparently I don’t need help doing anything g just an aid & because I opened the front door myself ( 4mtrs) but sat in my wheelchair the rest of the time I can walk!!!
This is just an excercise in pushing people off benefits & over a cliff!

I’m so angry & upset with what that person has written that I actually feel violated as he wrote that crap in my home!!

Shellybear, this is horrendous and I’m so glad you’re making a complaint. This sort of thing has got to stop. I really feel for you

He has lied about things, not on and it hope it doesn’t take you too long to rectify this. The Advocacy team at MDUK or your local CAB are there if you need ’em.

Sadly I’m not surprised at this. It’s best that you’re always accompanied at assessments if possible. I must say I’m extremely shocked that they’ve chosen this decision for a MD sufferer. Have you asked for a mandatory reconsideration? Don’t give up as you’ll have to fight a little to get your entitlement. It’s their job to get you off benefits (hate that word) but you can get it reversed, hopefully. Keep us informed. I’m expecting my form in about 2 weeks for my changeover. This site has been invaluable for me:

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/

Hi All,
I haven’t actually had the decision yet, just the report which I had to ask for, which I think is wrong as its a statement that I am supposedly agreeing to yet I don’t get to see it unless I ask. This should be mandatory!
I need to reply to the report correcting it & send in the info again before they do make the decision.
I would have had someone with me but as I only had a couple of days notice of the appointment everyone was busy.
I am so glad that I asked to see the assessment report as there are so many factual errors from wrong dates to evidence which I sent in not included in the list.
Then there is his opinion on the information I gave him verbally , he is basically calling me a liar!
Well he should know better than my Professor Neurologist and all of my OT’s etc.. as he’s a fabulously qualified Adult Nurse & Capita Assesor!!! Lmao!
He basically said that if I had aids for this & aids for that , which amazing inventions he’s referring to I don’t know,then I would be ok to doing everything?!
I am not actually diagnosed with MD but similar, Andersen Tawil Syndrome with Myoparhy & Poly-Neuropathy, I have the same symptoms but for different reasons.
This moron even stated that I had no Cardio issues so didn’t feel it in even though I told him that I have arythmia/palpitations which is part of my diagnosis & Andersen Tawil.
I am just so annoyed that even if I do get the highest awards I am still going to complain.
How can someone who gets such basic information wrong be allowed to do these assessments let alone on someone with a complex and rare condition? I’ll let you know how it goes.

I’ve spoken to clinical specialist nurse ( muscle channel) Natalie James at the NHNN & she is going going to write a letter of support to the lovely DWP people.
She was bemoaning of them saying that she was so used to arguing with them , explaining conditions like mine, so she has a template letter ready to adapt.
She seemed very clued up so hopefully it will count for something.
She will try to get it to me this week, I did try prior to my assessment to get in touch but unfortunately she was on holiday.
Fingers crossed.

I know woogy.
I would have recorded it but the rules state that if you do you must request permission from the Assesor and also give them a copy at the end, I don’t have the equipment to do that.
They haven’t given me a decision yet so I can’t yet request a Manditory Reconsideration, though if I dong get the Highest awards I will Persue one.
The guy lied, misquoted and made wildly subjective assumptions so I will write out all which I don’t agree with in the report.
I asked for a copy of the report the day after the assessment & took two weeks to get it. They are in the process of making the decision.
I have enough to cope with without all of this crap! ; (

The biggest difference between PIP and DLA is the awards, DLA has lower higher Mobility and lower middle higher Care components. Where as with PIP there are just lower and higher of both components, sneaky way to save money.

When you get your award notice, make contact with MD’s advocacy people, I am sure they can help with any complaints and appeals.

I would have recorded it but the rules state that if you do you must request permission from the Assessor and also give them a copy at the end, I don’t have the equipment to do that.

I had not seen those terms & conditions but, I have suggested they come here again (to our home) & the next time the session will be recorded. I have a Logitech webcam & the webcam software suite allows you to record video or take pictures from your webcam on your desktop/laptop & that’s what I will do but, there’s no way they can take a copy away with them, I’d have to forward it to them.

I was awarded the higher rate mobility component & the middle rate care of DLA for life after a medical (yes, a medical – I actually saw a doctor) in 1998 & despite having a specialist as well as a regular GP to corroborate my clinical diagnosis which was originally confirmed by a muscle biopsy, we still have to go through this charade.

To say the assessor had embellished a little on what we can & can’t do is an understatement. It reads like a work of fiction compared to the information we volunteered. Her report is riddled with a’s & b’s where as it should read with lots of d’s & e’s. I have stated that if we do have to see somebody again we will not entertain the same person as they will be given short shrift at the front door.

Although here I tend to give the government & the DWP both barrels I’m acutely aware they sneakily monitor peoples fiendbook & social media accounts & I wouldn’t put it past them monitoring us/you/me here. So, whilst we’re in the midst of a mandatory reconsideration & a lower tier tribunal waiting to progress to the higher tier, it may be prudent if I try to reign it in (YES ! This has been passive me )… which is incredibly hard.

PS I’m barking each time I read ‘Woogy’ now, if it makes you feel better

Right, I’ve found this out & it’s the official DWP policy. However, it seems it depends on whether you’re being assessed by Capita, who apparently are more likely to consent, or ATOS (who we are unfortunately under):

“The recording of face-to-face consultations by the assessment providers is not currently part of
the specification for PIP. Claimants may use their own equipment to record their consultation if
they wish to, but they must be able to provide a complete and accurate copy of the recording
to the health professional at the end of the consultation. Acceptable formats are restricted to
CD and audio cassette only, and claimants should inform assessment providers in advance if
they wish to use their own recording equipment.”

So, I am very capable of recording in MP3 & ripping it to a CD but, that would mean keeping said assessor hanging around whilst I did that & I wouldn’t want to keep them in my home any longer than is absolutely necessary. However, most people being assessed are not likely to be able to do what I can on a PC, tablet etc; but, more importantly, most people are forced to travel to appointments & don’t have assessments at home & who carries around cassette recorders or cd-r’s ? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a portable cd-r.

They’re just throwing up obstacles at every turn.

I’ve read that they’re allowed to record sessions, from time to time, for quality standards but, you’re not automatically allowed. BULLPLOP ! Where are our rights ? Why am I asking