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1 year 1 month ago #283646 by nicmcc
I had my review assessment (telephone) yesterday at 9.00am.
I received a text from the DWP today at 08:02 to say that they have received the Health professionals report.

I know you can't tell how it went (and that the report can very wildly from how it "felt"), so I won't be getting my hopes up.

But, she called on time, seemed to listen and was patient - and most importantly it seemed she had actually read my form & additional pages (an improvement from my last telephone assessment).
She also said at the end "obviously it's not sounding like you're any better than you were".


We called today to ask for the assessors report (PA4 form).
They obviously had to read out a disclaimer

He said:
"I have to read you some some text"
" I am able to send you the assessment report,
However please be aware that a final decision had not yet been made at this stage.

The assessment report is subject to scrutiny by the decision maker and possibly changed.

Therefore, the version I'm sending you may not be the final version used in making a decision on your PIP claim."


So my questions are:

I understand that a final decision hasn't been made, but I can't remember, have they always said:

"The assessment report is subject to scrutiny by the decision maker and possibly changed.
Therefore, the version I'm sending you may not be the final version used in making a decision on your PIP claim."
?


Have the decision makers always been able to "scrutinise & change" the health professionals report?

How is it still valid evidence if changed (apart from errors like name etc?)

How would I know if they've edited it & would I have to call for a copy?


I understand changing the report if there are major errors (like the right name etc)
but, my last PA4 (telephone) a few years ago was full of errors / contradictions (not only to my evidence, but with their own conclusions on the other descriptors!) I even sent a massive letter.
As far as I know (points etc matches up) - the decision maker didn't change the errors and went exactly with the "health professionals report which then lowered me to standard care/ living.)

Has anyone had a "good" report changed by the decision maker
(and vice versa)?

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1 year 1 month ago #283649 by Gary
Hi nicmcc

Yes, we are starting to get reports on the forum about DWP staff reading a disclaimer.

It is only recently that we are starting to hear about the disclaimer.

Yes decision makers have always been able to "scrutinise & change" the health professionals report, not very often but it does happen.

The assessor may have missed something in the support documents which the decision maker has picked up on.

You would not know, the only way you maybe able to tell is my comparing the assessors report with the decision makers decision.

This is why we advise claimants to get hold of the assessors report before applying for a Mandatory Reconsideration and to go through it with a highlighter, highlighting any errors and why it is wrong, if you can tie the error in with any supporting documents, so uch the better.

On the forum we have heard from members who have reported a good change and others who have reported a negative change.

Gary

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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