Less than 48 hours notice of home assessment

I received a phone call at 5pm today from Capita saying they were calling because they had a free appointment available for PIP home assessment and asked if I would be available to take it. I said I was surprised and thought it was normal practice to send a letter first and he said it was an available appointment due to a cancellation so he was obligated to phone me as a letter would not arrive until next week, which would be after the appointment.

When I asked if the appointment would be before the weekend, he said yes, so I told him that I would really prefer to have everything in writing first and declined the appointment. I asked whether this would go against me, and he said not, but now I'm really worried. Although I knew an appointment would be coming at some point, I didn't expect them to leave me so little time to mentally prepare for it. My PIP transfer form from DLA was submitted back in April, so I've just put it all to the back of mind. Did I do the wrong thing in declining this short-notice appointment?

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You are entitled to 7 days notice for your face2face assessment, so your declining this one at such short notice should not count against you.

Hi,

Just to reiterate MHB's comments, They must allow 7 days notice in writing, unless "you agree" to take an earlier appointment.

If you have any comeback on this, please let us know, as it is part of Legislation.

bro58

Thank you.

Your site is wonderful. I've consulted it many times, although this is my first post. You all do a great job of reducing the dealing-with-red-tape stress we all face.

Thank you Bro58. I will try to hold them to that. I've got so used to ATOS ways that I'm all adrift now with Capita. Maybe one of the ways would be to not answer Withheld Calls, then they would have to send a letter.

serenity jones wrote: Thank you Bro58. I will try to hold them to that. I've got so used to ATOS ways that I'm all adrift now with Capita. Maybe one of the ways would be to not answer Withheld Calls, then they would have to send a letter.

Hi sj,

Maybe so

You are not obliged to talk to Capita, Atos nor The DWP on the phone.

If you are concerned, you could make a written record of the fact that you declined the offer of a short notice appointment, and post or e-mail it to Capita :

COMPLAINTS TO CAPITA REGARDING PIP :

In writing:

Capita PIP
PO Box 307
Darlington
DL98 1AB

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sending Documents to the DWP or ATOS/Capita.

I wouldn't be too concerned, they have probably tried to fill a cancellation, so it was for their benefit, not yours.

I am sure that they will find sombody else to fill the appointment.

bro58