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ATOS assessment - audio recording (PIP) support

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7 years 6 months ago #169414 by BenefitsBod
Replied by BenefitsBod on topic ATOS assessment - audio recording (PIP) support
Due to the impracticality of recording the assessment (i.e. no equipment), I am doing my best to find someone to accompany me, not least of all for support. If anyone has any ideas about organisations that may be able to provide such a service assist, I'm all ears. I live in Essex, "CM" postcode. [Note: I won't be relying on friends as some of the info would be very very upsetting to them, particularly relating to my state of mind].

Incidentally, this isn't my first experience of ATOS assessments. It's the experiences of previous assessments (both for ESA) that has drilled home the importance of either having a recording or, at the very least, someone else present.

With DLA, there was no legal compulsion to attend such assessments, so I didn't. Inevitably, the DWP decided against me with one of the grounds being my refusal to attend an assessment. However, and somewhat ironically, that made the subsequent appeals much easier because the DWP made much of that completely unenforceable point and raised very few arguments relating to the qualifying criteria. In turn, two appeals were successful, albeit it took months to sort out. Unfortunately, there is no such loophole with PIP (re attending assessments).

A couple of things spring to mind about the "arrangements" for recordings of assessments. Presumably, if you're able to set up such technology, it is a slam-dunk that this will be noted and used against you (i.e. s/he can do that, so must be able to cope...). The more I think about it, the more certain I am that this approach for recordings is quite deliberate and designed to either realistically prevent claimants from being able to do so and, if they can, for the info to be used against claimants.

As I may have suggested before, some of the policies and resultant consequences relating to the government's approach to benefits would not be seen as out of place as part of "Action T4". It is a nasty, horrible ethos and, to anyone with a shred of humanity, unconscionable. How I and others have, somehow, managed to stay alive (so far) I do not know.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Gordon

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7 years 5 months ago #169697 by Louisa

Gordon wrote:

Louisa wrote: Who is the HCA and what does this mean in practice.

Is this something to be agreed upon in advance, or on the day.

I'm not following how a 'right' can be subject to an arbitrary approval.


The HCA is the assessor, agreement needs to have been made in advance in writing.

I am afraid claimants have no legal right to require their assessment is recorded.

Gordon


What is the process for attempting to organise this - i.e. is there a particular set of forms or is just a freehand written letter required.

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7 years 5 months ago #169753 by Gordon

Louisa wrote: What is the process for attempting to organise this - i.e. is there a particular set of forms or is just a freehand written letter required.


You don't mention what benefit this is for.

If ESA then there is a template letter in the ESA section that you can use.

If PIP then the Assessment Providers do not provide this service and you will need to record the session yourself, you can use two cassette or CD recorders, you can't use digital equipment. You still need to write and ask for permission to record. A short letter asking for permission and confirming that you will provide suitable equipment should be sufficient.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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7 years 5 months ago #169756 by eigenmode
Replied by eigenmode on topic ATOS assessment - audio recording (PIP) support
Godon wrote:
"
If PIP then the Assessment Providers do not provide this service and you will need to record the session yourself, you can use two cassette or CD recorders, you can't use digital equipment. You still need to write and ask for permission to record. A short letter asking for permission and confirming that you will provide suitable equipment should be sufficient."

This is exactly what I did, and the fact that I could operate the equipment was noted. Suitable cassette recorders are available on Ebay, for around £17 each, and you can give the HCP their choice of which cassette they would like. You may also wish to make a phone based digital recording as a backup. B) Many apps for recording are available.

Mike

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7 years 5 months ago #171218 by Louisa
What was the result of it being noted that you could operate the equipment - in the sense of was your pip claim successful or did this become an issue.

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7 years 5 months ago #171223 by Louisa

Gordon wrote: You still need to write and ask for permission to record. A short letter asking for permission and confirming that you will provide suitable equipment should be sufficient.

When should such a letter be written - e.g. after the pip 2 form is submitted. Just it sounds like after the pip2 is submitted that they come back pretty quickly with an assessment date - which wouldn't leave much time for sending letters and making such requests.

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