Text from CAPITA about short notice appt.

I have received a text from CAPITA (I assume it is a genuine message) saying that they have short notice appointments available for PIP assessments for next week and if I am available at home on any of those days I am to text YES, they will then contact me to arrange a suitable time if they still have appointments available. I have not requested a home appointment and do not really want an assessor to come into my home - although it saves having to go to the centre (I had an assessment for my ESA by an ATOS assessor at a centre only 1 mile away) I feel more stressed by the idea of them being in my home.
So I have 2 question really firstly does this mean that they now have me down for a home visit and second if I don't accept the short notice appointment (presumably they will send regular texts) will it go against me?
Many thanks in anticipation

Susie wrote: I have received a text from CAPITA (I assume it is a genuine message) saying that they have short notice appointments available for PIP assessments for next week and if I am available at home on any of those days I am to text YES, they will then contact me to arrange a suitable time if they still have appointments available. I have not requested a home appointment and do not really want an assessor to come into my home - although it saves having to go to the centre (I had an assessment for my ESA by an ATOS assessor at a centre only 1 mile away) I feel more stressed by the idea of them being in my home.
So I have 2 question really firstly does this mean that they now have me down for a home visit and second if I don't accept the short notice appointment (presumably they will send regular texts) will it go against me?
Many thanks in anticipation

Hi S,

We are aware that texts are being used to contact PIP claimants.

Capita, as opposed to ATOS are carrying out the majority of PIP assessments in the claimant's home.

Claimants are supposed to be given 7 days notice in writing of a PIP Assessment appointment, although this can sometimes be 7 days from the date of the appointment letter.

Disregarding the above, claimants are allowed to rearrange a PIP Assessment once, so if this appointment was to be classed as a cancellation by you, you would have to ensure that you were available/attended the rearranged appointment.

Besides carrying out Home Assessments, Capita do carry them out at Assessment Centres.

You would need to contact Capita, preferably by e-mail to create a paper trail :

Contact Capita : Contact Capita.

bro58

Thanks
Can they do a home visit even though I haven't requested one?

Susie wrote: Thanks
Can they do a home visit even though I haven't requested one?

Hi S,

They should be able to provide an assessment at an Assessment Centre if that is what you wish.

Capita do not have that many PIP Assessment Centres, so this could involve a long journey for you.

You should be aware that how you manage the return trip to and from an Assessment Centre will be taken into account, especially if you have Walking or other limitations with regards to you making journeys.

Rearranging may also lengthen the period before your PIP Claim is processed and a decision is made.

bro58

They haven't made an appointment yet they have just invited me to text them for a cancellation. I assumed they used the ATOS centre but this isn't the case then?

Susie wrote: They haven't made an appointment yet they have just invited me to text them for a cancellation. I assumed they used the ATOS centre but this isn't the case then?

ATOS and Capita are different companies. As far as I am aware, Capita are not using the same premises as ATOS for assessments.