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Repeat telephone assessments
- miranda1020
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4 years 1 day ago #258749 by miranda1020
Repeat telephone assessments was created by miranda1020
Hello,
I have phobic anxiety and have had 3 telephone assessments stopped within a couple of minutes ofmy husband handing me the phone as the assessors have said I’m too distressed to continue. The 2nd and 3rd assessors told my husband I should have a face to face as they couldn’t do it on the phone . The 3rd one couldn’t understand why I keep getting put back in the pile for another telephone assessment and that she’d make a note on the file to do a face to face as they are restarting. They were all very concerned at how upset I was.We emailed chad after the last one to ask for a face to face and pointed out that 3 of their own hcp’s had stopped the assessments on the phone so they obviously aren’t suitable and are just causing me continuous distress for days before, during and days after. They replied that the telephone assessments are suitable for almost everyone. I can’t talk to anyone other than my husband due to severe anxiety at any time. Do you have any idea how I can get a face to face so I can get the whole thing done please? I am in LCWRA at the moment and previously in ESA support group and incapacity benefit . My last face to face was in 2015 and the report written then would be the same now.
I have phobic anxiety and have had 3 telephone assessments stopped within a couple of minutes ofmy husband handing me the phone as the assessors have said I’m too distressed to continue. The 2nd and 3rd assessors told my husband I should have a face to face as they couldn’t do it on the phone . The 3rd one couldn’t understand why I keep getting put back in the pile for another telephone assessment and that she’d make a note on the file to do a face to face as they are restarting. They were all very concerned at how upset I was.We emailed chad after the last one to ask for a face to face and pointed out that 3 of their own hcp’s had stopped the assessments on the phone so they obviously aren’t suitable and are just causing me continuous distress for days before, during and days after. They replied that the telephone assessments are suitable for almost everyone. I can’t talk to anyone other than my husband due to severe anxiety at any time. Do you have any idea how I can get a face to face so I can get the whole thing done please? I am in LCWRA at the moment and previously in ESA support group and incapacity benefit . My last face to face was in 2015 and the report written then would be the same now.
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- BIS
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4 years 18 hours ago #258763 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Repeat telephone assessments
Hello Miss Anxious
I'm sorry to hear of the distress you are going through. I would suggest that you ask your doctor to write a letter saying that a telephone assessment would cause you 'overwhelming psychological distress' (the letter needs to use these words) and ask them either to do a face to face or a paper-based assessment.
If you can't get any joy from your GP then I should ask your husband to get onto your local GP.
I would also think about submitting a complaint. It's ridiculous that three of their assessors have said you are not well enough for a telephone assessment and yet they continue to try and force you to take part in one. It doesn't matter that they believe telephone assessments are suitable for 'most' people when they clearly aren't for you. They need to make a reasonable adjustment.
I hope that you get this resolved
BIS
I'm sorry to hear of the distress you are going through. I would suggest that you ask your doctor to write a letter saying that a telephone assessment would cause you 'overwhelming psychological distress' (the letter needs to use these words) and ask them either to do a face to face or a paper-based assessment.
If you can't get any joy from your GP then I should ask your husband to get onto your local GP.
I would also think about submitting a complaint. It's ridiculous that three of their assessors have said you are not well enough for a telephone assessment and yet they continue to try and force you to take part in one. It doesn't matter that they believe telephone assessments are suitable for 'most' people when they clearly aren't for you. They need to make a reasonable adjustment.
I hope that you get this resolved
BIS
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- denby
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4 years 6 hours ago #258796 by denby
Replied by denby on topic Repeat telephone assessments
Hi, I believe BIS meant "ask your husband to get onto your local MP".
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- LL26
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4 years 5 hours ago - 4 years 5 hours ago #258798 by LL26
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Replied by LL26 on topic Repeat telephone assessments
Hi miss anxious,
I agree with BIS. However I think that the fact you have had 3 phone assessments cancelled part way through due to your anxiety shows that you should only have a paper assessment. The way you describe your anxiety suggests that a face to face assessment will be equally troubling for you.
Get the GP letter as described by BIS and ask the doctor to provide detailed information about the severe level of anxiety that you have and how if affects you. (Do include the wording that BIS stated.)
I'm assuming this is for a PIP claim. Hopefully your GP can give information of how you can / can't do the various PIP descriptor activities.
If the GP can confirm your difficulties then this may help to get a paper assessment and to succeed at your PIP claim.
Oh yes definitely make a complaint, do that first and refer to your comp,ain't when you ask for a paper assessment and send in your GP letter!
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
LL26
I agree with BIS. However I think that the fact you have had 3 phone assessments cancelled part way through due to your anxiety shows that you should only have a paper assessment. The way you describe your anxiety suggests that a face to face assessment will be equally troubling for you.
Get the GP letter as described by BIS and ask the doctor to provide detailed information about the severe level of anxiety that you have and how if affects you. (Do include the wording that BIS stated.)
I'm assuming this is for a PIP claim. Hopefully your GP can give information of how you can / can't do the various PIP descriptor activities.
If the GP can confirm your difficulties then this may help to get a paper assessment and to succeed at your PIP claim.
Oh yes definitely make a complaint, do that first and refer to your comp,ain't when you ask for a paper assessment and send in your GP letter!
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 4 years 5 hours ago by LL26. Reason: omission
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