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PIP face to face assessment

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7 years 2 months ago #177527 by mandy76
PIP face to face assessment was created by mandy76
My wife received a letter New Year's Eve asking her to attend a face to face assessment next week. The assessment centre in question is a 45 mile round trip. I contacted ATOS and said my wife's PIP2 form stated an assessment would be extremely stressful and distressing for her on account of her mental health issues and that she cannot get to unfamiliar places without me taking her. I asked ATOS if they could rearrange appointment to the centre I know to be 2 minutes drive from our home. ATOS said the reason my wife has to go to a centre miles away is because PIP2 mentions aggressive outbursts. Apparently, the local assessment centre has just one member of staff so, ATOS's position seems to be that my wife could be a danger to herself and/or ATOS staff. The chap I spoke to at ATOS was helpful and said he would request that my wife is seen at local assessment centre in view of the fact I would be accompanying her which I would have to do anyway. He also said it may be possible to assess claim on papers alone. My wife supplied a lot of medical evidence but as far as I'm aware ATOS have not yet asked for information from GP or care co-ordinator, both of which are listed on PIP2. However, the ATOS chap said a face to face might still be required but in the meantime he cancelled the appointment next week and said ATOS would be in touch if an assessment was required. I rang DWP and explained all this so they are aware. If ATOS say a face to face is required and still insist on her having to travel miles to a centre because of her mental health issues/danger to herself or staff is there anything that can be done because while I appreciate they are protecting their staff shouldn't ATOS be providing the necessary staff in all assessment centres? They also said they don't do home visits. Be pleased to know your thoughts on this. Many thanks

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7 years 2 months ago - 7 years 2 months ago #177546 by slugsta
Replied by slugsta on topic PIP face to face assessment
Hi ph,

I have done my best to sort out the specific questions from your post - I'm afraid I find it very difficult to read a solid block of text.

It is entirely up to the Assessment Provider (ATOS in this case) to decide whether they have enough information to make a recommendation to DWP without seeing the claimant. If not they will arrange a face2face appointment.

ATOS do carry out home assessments but they are very reluctant to do so and will never grant this request if violence/aggression has been reported on the claim form. As you say, they have a duty to protect their staff.

In your situation I can suggest only 2 things -

Firstly, contact the Assessment Provider and ask what other information would be needed in order to make a recommendation to DWP without seeing your wife. I have to warn you that other members have had little success with this :(

Secondly, you can try getting your MP involved. They cannot interfere with the legal process but might be able to get ATOS to agree to an appointment at the nearer venue.

Contacting your MP

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 7 years 2 months ago by slugsta.
The following user(s) said Thank You: mandy76

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7 years 2 months ago #177691 by mandy76
Replied by mandy76 on topic PIP face to face assessment
Hi

Thank for your response.

I should explain my wife hasn't refused to go to a face to face. In fact it was ATOS who said it was possible to assess claim on papers and said to me, "so are you asking for her claim to be assessed on papers?" I replied, only if it's possible but if you can arrange a face to face closer, my wife would attend and even if it can't be closer, I said I would somehow get her to the assessment 22 miles away.

When my wife's PIP2 was submitted (which they initially lost for over two weeks) we provided 64 medical reports, latest care plan and other documents including my statement of what I have to do to help her on a daily basis. This evidence clearly references the extent of my wife's mental health problems.

The extreme stress my wife is under regarding having to attend a face to face assessment has caused a serious deterioration in her mental state. In fact, in addition to the mental health medication she normally takes, since the appointment notification arrived, she has had 2 mental health medications increased and when her doctor saw her yesterday afternoon her heart was racing so much it had had a knock on effect on oxygen saturation which was 74% at one stage so she has been prescribed beta-blockers too.

I have brought her GP up to speed as to the PIP situation and her GP is fully aware of how her mental and physical health conditions affect her so too is her mental health care co-ordinator. Neither of which have so far been contacted by ATOS but I did ask ATOS yesterday to contact them.

Yesterday, I sent DWP a letter explaining all this and the effect it has had on her mental state and made it clear that my wife will attend a face to face if necessary.

I was under the impression that ATOS should at least look at PIP2 and take into consideration what was said in the form such as vulnerability and distress a face to face would cause and evidence of recent self-harm and overdoses and suicidal thoughts. I also thought the form ATOS send to GP or other medical professionals asks the question as to whether they feel claimant would be able to cope with a face to face assessment but this doesn't seem to be the case.

I appreciate that she is not alone in this and that the vast majority of claimant's have to have a face to face however, when so much medical evidence has been submitted, and it is obvious the process will cause harm I find it surprising they don't pay attention to it. After all, part of her illness means she cannot go out and get to unfamiliar places so would the fact she attended a face to face 22 miles away not go against her?

I think all we can do at the moment is wait and see what ATOS come back with but I feel we have done everything we can at the moment.

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