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Video/Phone assessments
- Grannia
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3 years 9 months ago #261039 by Grannia
Video/Phone assessments was created by Grannia
I had to undergo a phone assessment last week, previously I have had face to face assessments and not had a problem. This time it was very difficulty as I have chronic illnesses, that will not get better, one is actually a new condition since my last assessment. The video link didn't work so we did it on the phone. I couldn't explain anything, she kept telling me I had to be specific, Yes or No to the majority of questions. I have a blistering skin autoimmune problem (Pemphigoid Bullous) causing mobility issues, cysts on legs, diabetes 2, arthritis, long term depression, sleep apnoea, the various medications have caused liver and kidney disease that are getting treatment but have gone past any chance of improvement. It is not possible to be specific when discussing these issues, how can you be specific about the constant feeling of nausea, fatigue, aching tired limbs, due to vitamin and iron deficiency (my body is not storing what it needs) there are now concerns about my bones. I have now to wait 8 weeks to find out what has been decided. I don't know if my payments will continue, I work even though I physically ache just doing everyday tasks (I actually lean on the sink to clean my teeth) None of this is apparent in my assessment as I couldn't Be SPECIFIC as I was constantly being told. Chronic illness/disease will not improve, in some cases it may remain as it is, or in many cases, like mine it will get worse. How can someone hundreds of miles away do a true report on me when she wouldn't accept being told her mic was on mute in the original video call which was why I couldn't hear her, yet she could see & hear me.
My work has been very supportive but being realistic I don't think this situation can continue much longer. I was shielding all through Covid lockdowns, I have been taken off my immunosuppressants due to the damage they are causing my organs, which has caused flare ups in my skin again. What am I meant to do? I am not the worse case, there are thousands of people who have a lot more to live with, how will they get through a telephone assessment. I was getting confused and tongue tied, I had made notes to keep me right, but wasn't allowed to say any of it, the minute I tried to explain anything, I was told to BE SPECIFIC. I will let you know the outcome in 8 weeks, but meanwhile this system has to change, the bottom line is if you have a chronic illness you cannot be specific. I also have a vaginal mesh which causes pain (I have a permanent lower back pain) I am incontinent and have to change my underwear 3 or 4 times a day, I didn't dare bring this up, as I already felt like she didn't believe a word I was saying. How on earth is someone with mental health and confidence problems going to cope with this. I finished the call feeling like the whole assessment was an exercise on why I should not get any help or support, and they questions were posed in such a way that if you were honest it would go against you.
My work has been very supportive but being realistic I don't think this situation can continue much longer. I was shielding all through Covid lockdowns, I have been taken off my immunosuppressants due to the damage they are causing my organs, which has caused flare ups in my skin again. What am I meant to do? I am not the worse case, there are thousands of people who have a lot more to live with, how will they get through a telephone assessment. I was getting confused and tongue tied, I had made notes to keep me right, but wasn't allowed to say any of it, the minute I tried to explain anything, I was told to BE SPECIFIC. I will let you know the outcome in 8 weeks, but meanwhile this system has to change, the bottom line is if you have a chronic illness you cannot be specific. I also have a vaginal mesh which causes pain (I have a permanent lower back pain) I am incontinent and have to change my underwear 3 or 4 times a day, I didn't dare bring this up, as I already felt like she didn't believe a word I was saying. How on earth is someone with mental health and confidence problems going to cope with this. I finished the call feeling like the whole assessment was an exercise on why I should not get any help or support, and they questions were posed in such a way that if you were honest it would go against you.
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- Gary
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3 years 9 months ago #261098 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic Video/Phone assessments
Hi Grannia
Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is.
Welcome to Benefits and Work .
You are not alone in how you feel after an assessment, telling a claimant to be specific is not very professional, especially if they had read their application form prior to the assessment.
You should contact the DWP for a copy of the assessment report (PA4) if you have not already done so, I would phone them but again follow up the request in writing. Once you have the assessment report you will have a better understanding of how the DWP Decision Maker has come to their conclusions and will then be able to argue against them.
Understand that the assessor is offering an opinion when they say that you can do the PIP activities, tackling these head-on is unlikely to be successful, you need to show that the basis of that opinion is founded on incorrect information, so try and refer to your evidence to undermine what they have said.
Also, try and stick to issues that lead to your scoring points, I often hear members referring to the assessors spelling, as an example, whilst it may show a lack of professionalism, raising it as an issue isn't going to help you get an award.
Your primary task is to show that you meet the criteria, there are many reasons you may have failed, you need to address each of these but don't get bogged down in criticising the assessment report unless you can clearly show that it is incorrect, it is a lot easier to argue the facts of the situation;
Lastly, make sure that you understand the criteria that you are being assessed against you can put the best case forward that is possible but you won't score points if you do not meet the PIP Descriptors.
When you have a better idea of the issues with your claim, come back to the forum and we will do our best to help.
Gary
Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is.
Welcome to Benefits and Work .
You are not alone in how you feel after an assessment, telling a claimant to be specific is not very professional, especially if they had read their application form prior to the assessment.
You should contact the DWP for a copy of the assessment report (PA4) if you have not already done so, I would phone them but again follow up the request in writing. Once you have the assessment report you will have a better understanding of how the DWP Decision Maker has come to their conclusions and will then be able to argue against them.
Understand that the assessor is offering an opinion when they say that you can do the PIP activities, tackling these head-on is unlikely to be successful, you need to show that the basis of that opinion is founded on incorrect information, so try and refer to your evidence to undermine what they have said.
Also, try and stick to issues that lead to your scoring points, I often hear members referring to the assessors spelling, as an example, whilst it may show a lack of professionalism, raising it as an issue isn't going to help you get an award.
Your primary task is to show that you meet the criteria, there are many reasons you may have failed, you need to address each of these but don't get bogged down in criticising the assessment report unless you can clearly show that it is incorrect, it is a lot easier to argue the facts of the situation;
Lastly, make sure that you understand the criteria that you are being assessed against you can put the best case forward that is possible but you won't score points if you do not meet the PIP Descriptors.
When you have a better idea of the issues with your claim, come back to the forum and we will do our best to help.
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Colin
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3 years 9 months ago #261109 by Colin
Replied by Colin on topic Video/Phone assessments
"and they questions were posed in such a way that if you were honest it would go against you."
they get paid to do this to us. its appalling.
they get paid to do this to us. its appalling.
The following user(s) said Thank You: denby
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- denby
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3 years 9 months ago #261119 by denby
Replied by denby on topic Video/Phone assessments
Hi Grannia, recently Radio 4 Woman's Hour featured the problems of vaginal mesh, I am horrified you could not get this across due to the assessor intimidating you. Was it in your form? I know no-one wants to admit incontinence but it is a key descriptor item for PIP and you should not be shy. After all you were conned getting the mesh in the first place. As Gary says do ask for the PA4 immediately. Do NOT wait for the decision. If a call agent says no, just end the call and try again. When you get the report write ASAP to 'The Decision maker' at DWP icily debunking every point scoring error in what she has written. This was successful for our daughter's last renewal, it is well worth doing this letter.
Best wishes, and so sorry to hear how poorly you are, make sure you get the PIP you deserve! Denby
Best wishes, and so sorry to hear how poorly you are, make sure you get the PIP you deserve! Denby
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