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DLA to PIP - So distressing

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6 years 11 months ago #186505 by cjohnr
DLA to PIP - So distressing was created by cjohnr
Hi. Not sure I have posted here in the past. After taking weeks to fill in the PIP form, I had a demeaning and depressing F2F interview. I am exhausted at present so will post about it later but have 2 questions.

Why on earth do they need to know how many bedrooms and bathrooms we have in our house?

Is it possible that assessors are members and keep a watch on this site? I am concerned about recounting what happened to me on the F2F - "they" would know who I am.

I had the DLA enhanced rate for both daily living needs and mobility for a indefinite period. The score on my last DLA review was 80% physical/20% psychological but have been awarded standard rate for both PIP awards. I will be appealing and will be writing a complaint letter as soon as I can think clearly.

Thanks for reading. I am feeling very alone at present.

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6 years 11 months ago - 6 years 11 months ago #186573 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic DLA to PIP - So distressing
cjohnr

The bedrooms question may just be something they ask, the bathroom is to see whether you have a bathroom on each floor, in other words, whether you need to go up or down stairs in order to use the toilet.

It's not impossible that some assessors use this site, whether a particular one does is impossible to say. If they do then they must have thick skins and an inability to learn from their mistakes during assessments, as the B&W members do their best to highlight the issues that many assessors have in providing an adequate assessment report.

One thing to be aware of, DLA HRC is awarded for fundamentally different reasons than PIP Enhanced Daily Living, if you wish to contest this award then do so because you believe you score the 12 points needed for this rather than the fact that you had HRC.

The first stage to challenging a Decision is for you to request a Mandatory Reconsideration, this needs to be done in writing to the DWP, within one month of the Decision, to the office that dealt with your claim, have a look at our PIP MR & Appeal guide for details of the process, the PIP area also has template letters that you can use to make the request with.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip

You should contact the DWP for a copy of the assessment report if you have not already done so, I would phone them but again follow up the request in writing. Once you have the assessment report you will have a better understanding of how the DWP Decision Maker has come to their conclusions and will then be able to argue against them.

Your primary task is to show that you meet the criteria, there are many reasons you may have failed, you need to address each of these but don't get bogged down in criticising the assessment report unless you can clearly show that it is incorrect, it is a lot easier to argue the facts of the situation;

"the assessor recorded that I walked 50m, I did but they have failed to document that I had to stop every 10m for a rest due to breathlessness"

than their opinions

"based on my observations of the claimant walking I believe that they can reliably walk more than 200m.

When you have a better idea of the issues with your claim, come back to the forum and we will do our best to help.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 6 years 11 months ago by Gordon.
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6 years 11 months ago #186696 by cjohnr
Replied by cjohnr on topic DLA to PIP - So distressing
Gordon, thank you for the considered and informative help.

I have requested a copy of the assessment report and was told that, once I have read through it, I can call to request a Mandatory Reconsideration.

The F2F meeting was a complete disaster. All my DLA assessments were conducted in my home due to mobility issues. When I received the date of the meeting, I called to request a home visit. I explained that, due to a spinal op, my left leg is numb from mid-calf to the toes and that I am unable to sit for longer than 15 mins before the numbness increases. I never drive for longer than 10-15 mins and have an automatic car - fortunately, the right foot is not as bad as the left. The journey they wanted me to undertake was a round trip of 100 miles, over 50 miles of which are on the busy M74, and that I would have to stop every 15 mins and get out of the car. The car's SATNAV stopped working so I arrived exhausted and in extreme pain. Obviously I could not take any strong pain killers because there was the return journey to undertake.

I had been told that there was disabled parking outside the building where the interview was to take place - I am useless at judging distances but they were not "outside". I arrived to be told that there would be a 1hr 30min wait as "they" were running late" - I could rebook and return another day. I asked why they had not phoned me but there was no answer. I was in no state to undertake the return journey so opted to wait. Had to get it over with.

Only water to drink and the seats were pretty basic. I had to get up and walk around every 10 to 15 mins. By the time I was called, I was exhausted and in constant pain. It was not too bad until I was asked what I meant by "pre diabetic". You can have diabetes or you don't have diabetes" I stated that my GP tests all patients of a certain age and I was pre diabetic: it is a warning. After that, it seemed that everything in the form I had submitted was treated with doubt.

I was observed walking 7m to my car - not sure how I was supposed to get back to my car. Nor am I sure how I managed to get home without a serious accident. I was in no condition to be driving - had to keep stopping on the hard shoulder as my legs were numb and cramping.

I am composing a complaint to Atos. It all takes time and energy.

Many thanks
The following user(s) said Thank You: Gordon

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