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if PIP assessor report is inaccurate, and PIP lost, is appeal hopeless?
- Faith
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17 hours 52 minutes ago #313458 by Faith
if PIP assessor report is inaccurate, and PIP lost, is appeal hopeless? was created by Faith
Hi
Re PIP review
Serco wants me to undergo a telephone PIP assessment.
I'm terrified because I have read that the resulting reports are often inaccurate or even lie about what the claimant said during the assessment.
This is probably a stupid question, but I'm wondering how often that happens?
Moreover, if it does happen, and the PIP award is decreased or lost, is MR and appeal pointless, as it is the claimant's word vs the assessors, and the DWP will always believe the assessor over the claimant?
Has anyone reading this had an inaccurate report, which has resulted in a decrease or loss of award, but succeeded in winning an appeal? Have BIS, LL26, David, or others heard of this happening?
I'm panicking
Re PIP review
Serco wants me to undergo a telephone PIP assessment.
I'm terrified because I have read that the resulting reports are often inaccurate or even lie about what the claimant said during the assessment.
This is probably a stupid question, but I'm wondering how often that happens?
Moreover, if it does happen, and the PIP award is decreased or lost, is MR and appeal pointless, as it is the claimant's word vs the assessors, and the DWP will always believe the assessor over the claimant?
Has anyone reading this had an inaccurate report, which has resulted in a decrease or loss of award, but succeeded in winning an appeal? Have BIS, LL26, David, or others heard of this happening?
I'm panicking
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- BIS
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16 hours 42 minutes ago #313461 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic if PIP assessor report is inaccurate, and PIP lost, is appeal hopeless?
Hi Faith
Are PIP assessment reports sometimes inaccurate? Yes, quite often, but how often we have no idea because all our evidence is anecdotal - i.e., based on individuals' observations that we cannot verify.
Do the assessors lie about what a claimant has said? Yes, but it is sometime difficult to know whether an assessor has deliberately lied or they were mistaken. One way to try and stop this from happening is to request that your assessment is recorded and make a recording of the assessment yourself.
If there is a dispute over what is said - do the DWP always take the side of the assessor? The majority of the time they do, but that is why it is important to have a recording. We always suggest people make their own covert recording even if they have requested the assessor to make one as some people have found that something goes wrong with the equipment.
Do people ever get their decisions overturned if their award is downgraded or they lose it altogether? Yes, they do. While only 27% of Mandatory Reconsiderations are successful, over 67% of Appeals are successful. We have many members who have challenged their awards and won.
Faith, I know you are scared stiff, but to try and give a balanced view, I should point out that there are plenty of people who successfully get the awards they wanted at their first attempt. They won't necessarily get the points they were expecting, but that is simply because the assessor gives their 'opinion' and that is not one that always matches what the claimant thinks they should have scored. Although there are some unpleasant assessors - in my view, the majority of them are professionals trying to do a good job in an imperfect system. For your own sake, try not to go through the process assuming you are going to be cheated. Bad news travels much faster on the internet than good news. Look at the Guide to PIP Claims and Reviews, and you can find out the types of questions you will be asked at your assessment and prepare for it.
BIS
Are PIP assessment reports sometimes inaccurate? Yes, quite often, but how often we have no idea because all our evidence is anecdotal - i.e., based on individuals' observations that we cannot verify.
Do the assessors lie about what a claimant has said? Yes, but it is sometime difficult to know whether an assessor has deliberately lied or they were mistaken. One way to try and stop this from happening is to request that your assessment is recorded and make a recording of the assessment yourself.
If there is a dispute over what is said - do the DWP always take the side of the assessor? The majority of the time they do, but that is why it is important to have a recording. We always suggest people make their own covert recording even if they have requested the assessor to make one as some people have found that something goes wrong with the equipment.
Do people ever get their decisions overturned if their award is downgraded or they lose it altogether? Yes, they do. While only 27% of Mandatory Reconsiderations are successful, over 67% of Appeals are successful. We have many members who have challenged their awards and won.
Faith, I know you are scared stiff, but to try and give a balanced view, I should point out that there are plenty of people who successfully get the awards they wanted at their first attempt. They won't necessarily get the points they were expecting, but that is simply because the assessor gives their 'opinion' and that is not one that always matches what the claimant thinks they should have scored. Although there are some unpleasant assessors - in my view, the majority of them are professionals trying to do a good job in an imperfect system. For your own sake, try not to go through the process assuming you are going to be cheated. Bad news travels much faster on the internet than good news. Look at the Guide to PIP Claims and Reviews, and you can find out the types of questions you will be asked at your assessment and prepare for it.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Faith
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