Capita home assessment for PIP

I thought it might be useful to relate the experience of yesterday’s home visit by CAPITA for a DLA to PIP assessment.

Early December 2015 letter arrived to invite me to apply for PIP as I am receiving an indefinite DLA higher rate Mobility and care.

The PIP questionnaire is around 38 pages and I’m sure users of this forum will have read in detail the excellent guide to completing this form on the Benefits and Work website.

It is vital that the information boxes are completed thoroughly.

For my part, I submitted all my answers to further information as typed separate sheets of paper as my handwriting is very poor due to my physical disability.

I just hand wrote in the boxes see appendix…. referring to the separate sheet.
Don’t forget to head each sheet with your name and NI number if you go down this route.

I posted the to the DWP form on the 8th January and received my appointment for a home visit on the 19th January for a home visit scheduled for the 25th January at 12 noon.

For some as yet unknown reason the Health Professional (HP) didn’t turn up!

I telephoned CAPITA at 12.40 and was advised that the HP was ‘allowed’ to be up to an hour late before they attempt to contact the HP.

Still no sign of the HP at 1.20 so I phoned CAPITA who in turn phoned the HP- no reply so by 2.30 CAPITA had re arranged my appointment over the phone for today.

My complaint is in their system!

Yesterday’s assessment consisted of a discussion with the HP about my capabilities and a conversation about a typical day and the difficulties my disabilities pose.

Thee assessment was carried out by an OT and was conducted in a thorough and professional but friendly manner -it took 40 minutes.

The HP did look around the bathroom and bedroom to see the adaptions and aids, and we did an eyesight test.

So we shall wait and see the outcome!

The HP did say that virtually all CAPITA assessments in North Wales are carried out as home visits.

Nick wrote: I thought it might be useful to relate the experience of yesterday’s home visit by CAPITA for a DLA to PIP assessment.

Early December 2015 letter arrived to invite me to apply for PIP as I am receiving an indefinite DLA higher rate Mobility and care.

The PIP questionnaire is around 38 pages and I’m sure users of this forum will have read in detail the excellent guide to completing this form on the Benefits and Work website.

It is vital that the information boxes are completed thoroughly.

For my part, I submitted all my answers to further information as typed separate sheets of paper as my handwriting is very poor due to my physical disability.

I just hand wrote in the boxes see appendix…. referring to the separate sheet.
Don’t forget to head each sheet with your name and NI number if you go down this route.

I posted the to the DWP form on the 8th January and received my appointment for a home visit on the 19th January for a home visit scheduled for the 25th January at 12 noon.

For some as yet unknown reason the Health Professional (HP) didn’t turn up!

I telephoned CAPITA at 12.40 and was advised that the HP was ‘allowed’ to be up to an hour late before they attempt to contact the HP.

Still no sign of the HP at 1.20 so I phoned CAPITA who in turn phoned the HP- no reply so by 2.30 CAPITA had re arranged my appointment over the phone for today.

My complaint is in their system!

Yesterday’s assessment consisted of a discussion with the HP about my capabilities and a conversation about a typical day and the difficulties my disabilities pose.

Thee assessment was carried out by an OT and was conducted in a thorough and professional but friendly manner -it took 40 minutes.

The HP did look around the bathroom and bedroom to see the adaptions and aids, and we did an eyesight test.

So we shall wait and see the outcome!

The HP did say that virtually all CAPITA assessments in North Wales are carried out as home visits.

Hi N,

Yes, we have heard from quite a few members where Capita either turn up early, or not at all.

You could give it a week or so then ring the PIP Helpline for an update :

Telephone: 0345 850 3322
Textphone: 0345 601 6677
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

Whist on the phone you could also request a copy of The PA4 Medical Report which would have been compiled by the Assessor at your face to face.

Some members have managed to obtain copy of the PA4 before receiving a decision.

bro58