- Posts: 1
× Members
PIP telephone assessments
- Kara
- Topic Author
- Offline
Less More
3 days 5 hours ago #311824 by Kara
PIP telephone assessments was created by Kara
23/1/26 Hi there. I have a PIP telephone assessment in 2 days which I’ve already asked them to defer whilst they look into a paper-based assessment instead. Bearing in mind I'm Bipolar, autistic, have DDD and RA & suffer terribly with stress & anxiety, I provided Maximus a doctors letter citing overwhelming psychological distress if forced into a telephone assessment. My mental health has declined rapidly since receiving the second telephone appointment 7th Jan & now the CMHT are fully involved with my care. Partner & full-time carer rang to explain again why I struggle with telephone assessments - the call handler was lovely but couldn't do anything which is understandable. Not her rules. Anyway, I'm so ill, my autism causes panic attacks and shutdowns if forced to speak on the phone (I don’t even speak to family its that stressful for me) and I categorically cannot take part in the assessment in 2 days. Does anyone have any advice please? What will happen if I don't speak to them? I'm worried I will go manic as its happened in the past. This resulted in my 4th section. I'm worried to death. I haven't left my bedroom since 7th Jan. I don’t know where to turn. HAAS rang me 3 times yesterday but I couldn't answer. Time is running out and I feel hopeless and alone. I’ve dealt with suicidal tendencies in the past and have the Crisis teams number but as for the call, I've no chance
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- BIS
- Offline
Less More
- Posts: 9991
7 hours 53 minutes ago #311857 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic PIP telephone assessments
Hi Kara
If your partner is your full-time carer - why didn't he answer the phone? If he is able to - he should tell them under no certain terms that this is a risk to your mental health and you are unable to take part, and ask them why, under the Equality Act, you are not being given a paper-based assessment when you have provided a doctor's letter confirming that you are in a state of psychological distress. He should ask to speak to a senior case manager and explain that your life is at risk. There is a danger that they will return your papers to the DWP saying you refused to take part. Your partner should immediately contact the DWP and tell them what has happened and say that it is not because you won't take part - it is because you can't. He should confirm with them that you provided a letter to the doctor about the overwhelming psychological distress and he should also inform them of the threat to your life. If they then cancel your benefit - you can appeal. I know that is extra stress, but your partner needs to take over at this point. You may need to confirm that he can speak on your behalf - all you have to do is listen and say the word yes - three times, but if you can't do that - he will have to be firm and explain.
Thinking of you.
BIS
If your partner is your full-time carer - why didn't he answer the phone? If he is able to - he should tell them under no certain terms that this is a risk to your mental health and you are unable to take part, and ask them why, under the Equality Act, you are not being given a paper-based assessment when you have provided a doctor's letter confirming that you are in a state of psychological distress. He should ask to speak to a senior case manager and explain that your life is at risk. There is a danger that they will return your papers to the DWP saying you refused to take part. Your partner should immediately contact the DWP and tell them what has happened and say that it is not because you won't take part - it is because you can't. He should confirm with them that you provided a letter to the doctor about the overwhelming psychological distress and he should also inform them of the threat to your life. If they then cancel your benefit - you can appeal. I know that is extra stress, but your partner needs to take over at this point. You may need to confirm that he can speak on your behalf - all you have to do is listen and say the word yes - three times, but if you can't do that - he will have to be firm and explain.
Thinking of you.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Moderators: Gordon, latetrain, BIS, Catherine12345, Chris, David, Keely, Jasmine