Home Visit by Capita

I'm in the ESA (support group) and have been for three years. My DLA lower care end so I have been invited to apply for PiP which I have. Submitted all my paperwork and have today been advised by letter that I am to be interviewed in my home.

I didn't request this and have never claimed mobility difficulties. Is this odd to have this in my home?

Thanks

Hi,

Welcome to Benefits and Work

If your forum name is also your real name, you may wish to change it to maintain some anonymity.

This can be done quite easily by following the instructions in this FAQ :

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Capita do tend to offer more Home Assessments than ATOS, although they do not do so as a matter of course in all PIP Assessments.

It may be that they have scrutinised your PIP 2 Form and decided that due to your existing limitations, it may not be appropriate to require you to travel to/from an Assessment Centre.

That being the case, I would see it as a positive !

You can choose the room where you want the assessment to take place, and the Assessor should not want to look around your home.

Although you may want to point out any aids or appliance that you need to use that may be in another room.

You can have someone else present to support you, and they can take notes.

You can read what to expect from around Page 69 of our : PIP Claims Guide. (2nd Link down the page)

Quick tip, Capita Assessors have been known to turn up early, or not turn up at all.

Hope all goes well and please return to let is know how you got on !

bro58

Very kind thank you. I'm not phased about my full name as really I have nothing to hide. I consider myself honest to a fault, and hugely upset that I feel the need to ask UKPLC for some basic financial assistance.

For me a basic rate PIP will enable my Wife and I to pay for all what we need to deal with my disabilities, that is not available on the NHS. There are meds for example that do work but only available privately.

I think for now my biggest concern is being dropped from the basic care element to PIP; I note that really the switch is not a simple one. The payments seem to be a lot more too which I had not initially realised. I'm full time incontinent but 'they' keep telling me that i am not a suitable case for double colostomy. The General Surgery element is very slow here and so far it is almost six months to tell me my muscles are all fine in these areas. This I know as it it is logged that nerve damage is the causation ...sigh.

Having to open up your inner personal life to this is in my opinion appalling. I say this as what are records from specialists for?

Lastly if I may ask? Does the assessor have the right to want to look all round my home? Again, not worried but there has to be some privacy left.

Merlin Jones wrote: Very kind thank you. I'm not phased about my full name as really I have nothing to hide. I consider myself honest to a fault, and hugely upset that I feel the need to ask UKPLC for some basic financial assistance.

For me a basic rate PIP will enable my Wife and I to pay for all what we need to deal with my disabilities, that is not available on the NHS. There are meds for example that do work but only available privately.

I think for now my biggest concern is being dropped from the basic care element to PIP; I note that really the switch is not a simple one. The payments seem to be a lot more too which I had not initially realised. I'm full time incontinent but 'they' keep telling me that i am not a suitable case for double colostomy. The General Surgery element is very slow here and so far it is almost six months to tell me my muscles are all fine in these areas. This I know as it it is logged that nerve damage is the causation ...sigh.

Having to open up your inner personal life to this is in my opinion appalling. I say this as what are records from specialists for?

Lastly if I may ask? Does the assessor have the right to want to look all round my home? Again, not worried but there has to be some privacy left.

Hi MJ,

"Lastly if I may ask? Does the assessor have the right to want to look all round my home? Again, not worried but there has to be some privacy left"

No they do not have any right to enter any rooms in your home without your permission, (taking on-board my previous comments regarding you showing them any Aids, Appliances and Adaptations if relevant) and they should not need to whislt carrying out The Assessment.

Cheers !

bro58

Thank you. I wasn't certain on that point and you have cleared it up for me perfectly.

I come back and let you know how it went.

Merlin

Well it has been and gone. Two very polite and respectful ladies arrived promptly, and stayed for two and a half hours. Mostly all questions and answers which was fine, as I have nothing to hide; I just hope I managed to answer the questions well enough.

I was asked to stand and make a few movements which were fine, apart from the fact it does actually hurt. On tiptoes that was a step too far, so I declined to do that particular movement.

The Ladies explained that it would now be six to eight weeks until the DWP notify me of a result. I'm of course expecting to be turned down, but the care element would make such a HUGE difference to my life.

I'll reply when I know.