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phone call from decision maker PIP
- Herbicat
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3 years 10 months ago #260106 by Herbicat
phone call from decision maker PIP was created by Herbicat
Hi,
I just had a completely unexpected phone call from the decision maker for my PIP review form. A bit freaked out as I wasn't prepared...
it sounded as if he was going to try and make the decision without reassessment and just very briefly ran through the main questions with me.
Is there a trap?
He said that if I stuck to what I said on the form it might trigger a reassessment and was pressing me to say I could do things I had clearly said I would struggle with. I didn't know what to say so I just tried to explain more clearly what I had said on the form but I think I messed up one of the questions. He said if he could make the decision he would otherwise it would go for reassessment.
I'm a bit freaked out by the whole interaction as I felt so unprepared.
I just had a completely unexpected phone call from the decision maker for my PIP review form. A bit freaked out as I wasn't prepared...
it sounded as if he was going to try and make the decision without reassessment and just very briefly ran through the main questions with me.
Is there a trap?
He said that if I stuck to what I said on the form it might trigger a reassessment and was pressing me to say I could do things I had clearly said I would struggle with. I didn't know what to say so I just tried to explain more clearly what I had said on the form but I think I messed up one of the questions. He said if he could make the decision he would otherwise it would go for reassessment.
I'm a bit freaked out by the whole interaction as I felt so unprepared.
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- Catherine
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3 years 10 months ago #260107 by Catherine
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Catherine on topic phone call from decision maker PIP
Hello Herbicat,
I can fully understand you being freaked out!
It is quite possible that the DM had looked at your paperwork and thought that he could make a decision without the reassessment if he just clarified a few things. That does happen sometimes and is not a trap.
It is good that you stuck to what you have said on your form, and if that ends up with a reassessment you are no worse off than you thought you would be this time yesterday. Even though this is a routine process, what it seems that you heard is a threat, which is not one little bit nice.
You say that you think you messed up one of the questions. I am not quite sure what you mean by this, but if you are saying that in the mental confusion of the situation you misrepresented yourself/your condition/how it affects you. If you still feel this I would be inclined to ring up the help line and ask them to put on record what you should have said. To be safe I would then follow this up with a letter so that you know it is recorded on your file.
I wish you success in getting your correct award,
Catherine
I can fully understand you being freaked out!
It is quite possible that the DM had looked at your paperwork and thought that he could make a decision without the reassessment if he just clarified a few things. That does happen sometimes and is not a trap.
It is good that you stuck to what you have said on your form, and if that ends up with a reassessment you are no worse off than you thought you would be this time yesterday. Even though this is a routine process, what it seems that you heard is a threat, which is not one little bit nice.
You say that you think you messed up one of the questions. I am not quite sure what you mean by this, but if you are saying that in the mental confusion of the situation you misrepresented yourself/your condition/how it affects you. If you still feel this I would be inclined to ring up the help line and ask them to put on record what you should have said. To be safe I would then follow this up with a letter so that you know it is recorded on your file.
I wish you success in getting your correct award,
Catherine
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Herbicat
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3 years 10 months ago #260229 by Herbicat
Replied by Herbicat on topic phone call from decision maker PIP
Thanks Catherine,
I had no idea they do this sometimes! I didn't realise decision makers ever got to speak to us. I got the impression he was a decent guy and just trying to make it match up with the previous decision makers interpretation but yes it was very confusing and worrying being told if I said a certain thing it would have to go to reassessment. Obviously that's the last thing I want and it made me anxious about what to say.
yes, when I say I messed up, it was his first question which he asked in a way that expected a yes response, and I was so taken aback by the fact I was even speaking to him I just gave him a kneejerk response in the affirmative although the true picture is a little more complicated. I wish I could have that moment again as it would be easier to explain in conversation and he could check anything he needed to. I'll ring the helpline and explain properly. I wish they asked open questions instead of doing it like that as it makes it so hard to think twice and disagree with them. I don't think well on my feet at the best of times! I can't even properly remember the phone call as there was a lot of background noise at his end that made it more confusing but I do remember the first bit.
I'll ring them tomorrow and see if I can sort it out.
Thank you!
I had no idea they do this sometimes! I didn't realise decision makers ever got to speak to us. I got the impression he was a decent guy and just trying to make it match up with the previous decision makers interpretation but yes it was very confusing and worrying being told if I said a certain thing it would have to go to reassessment. Obviously that's the last thing I want and it made me anxious about what to say.
yes, when I say I messed up, it was his first question which he asked in a way that expected a yes response, and I was so taken aback by the fact I was even speaking to him I just gave him a kneejerk response in the affirmative although the true picture is a little more complicated. I wish I could have that moment again as it would be easier to explain in conversation and he could check anything he needed to. I'll ring the helpline and explain properly. I wish they asked open questions instead of doing it like that as it makes it so hard to think twice and disagree with them. I don't think well on my feet at the best of times! I can't even properly remember the phone call as there was a lot of background noise at his end that made it more confusing but I do remember the first bit.
I'll ring them tomorrow and see if I can sort it out.
Thank you!
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- Catherine
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3 years 10 months ago #260254 by Catherine
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Catherine on topic phone call from decision maker PIP
Hello Herbicat,
Hopefully now it is 'tomorrow' you have been able to speak to them. Your next task is to try and forget about the whole thing until that white or brown envelope arrives through your letter box. I hope when it does, it contains good news for you.
Catherine
Hopefully now it is 'tomorrow' you have been able to speak to them. Your next task is to try and forget about the whole thing until that white or brown envelope arrives through your letter box. I hope when it does, it contains good news for you.
Catherine
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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3 years 10 months ago #260259 by Judy
Replied by Judy on topic phone call from decision maker PIP
Wow! How is this even allowed without a warning? And yes, I would have felt very threatened to be told I have to answer a certain way. Come on, this can't be legal surely!?
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3 years 10 months ago #260274 by phrank
Replied by phrank on topic phone call from decision maker PIP
Hi all,
That's the whole point: it's not legal is it, but yet it still happens.
Taking advantage of some very vulnerable people and putting words in their mouths to disadvantage their claim is criminal as far as I'm concerned.
I hope I have'nt gone OTT on this but I am just stating what seems to be happening.
Regards,
Phrank.
That's the whole point: it's not legal is it, but yet it still happens.
Taking advantage of some very vulnerable people and putting words in their mouths to disadvantage their claim is criminal as far as I'm concerned.
I hope I have'nt gone OTT on this but I am just stating what seems to be happening.
Regards,
Phrank.
The following user(s) said Thank You: wibblum, Applesoranges143, Herbicat
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