Received copy of F2F assessment - inaccurate

Hi Martin JR

There is a window for you to write to the Decision Maker but you will need to be quick.Understand that the assessor is offering an opinion when they say that your wife 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. We 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.

Lastly, make sure that you understand the criteria that your wife is being assessed against so you can put the best case forward that is possible but you won't score points if your wife does not meet the PIP Descriptors.

As far as driving is concerned there are two distinct issues with a claimant driving, one that is reasonable and one that is less so.First, the DWP will argue that someone who drives has good cognitive ability as the process of driving requires the driver to be aware of what is going on around them, to be able to pre-empt situations that they are approaching and to be able to manage the operation of the vehicle.They will also argue that it shows good navigation skills and an ability to plan a route, however, claimants might be able to argue that if only one journey is undertaken and the claimant had to be shown that route, that they are in fact not able to plan or navigate a route, but I think there is little flexibility in this argument.Secondly, the DWP view driving as a physical activity, for example holding the wheel requires a level of dexterity, strength and endurance in their hands, arms and shoulders, They also believe that the operation of the pedals is akin to walking and so someone who can drive can also walk. We believe this argument is very weak(but we don't do assessments). However, most people drive a car to go somewhere and having arrived at that place they may then need to then walk to complete their journey, for example; none of the car parks in Gordon's area have lifts that are less than 20m from disabled parking spaces and the Motability shop where he can hire a scooter is the best part of 100m.

You will need to counteract these arguments.

BIS

JockR

In case you have not noticed this topic is three years old.

Gordon