PIP an important message and hopefully helpful

I haven’t posted for a while because I was devastated to learn that the lady who promised to help me sort out my PIP basic award left me to do it myself. I apologise this is a bit long, but believe me it will help people.

I have very important news for anyone who is claiming PIP. Please Please if you have a phone assessment, record it. I cannot emphasise this enough. I was told by the assessor that I could not have my consultation recorded even though it is in black and white on the capita letter that we can ask on the day of assessment for it to be recorded.

I left my phone on record and allowed the assessment to be recorded. I suffer brain injury and multiple neurological problems complex PTSD and a recent diagnosis of FND. I needed to record this assessment for my own personal use. Else I would not remember the conversation. “It is ok to record for your own personal use by the way”

I asked for a paper copy of the assessment after getting a standard award, and it floored me. The lies that were said by the assessor where unbelievable. She said I spoke clearly smoothly and fluidly throughout, she said I showed no anxiety or phycological distress. She made believe that I was able to do things even though my disability would never allow me to do them. She said a lot, mostly lies.

She forgot to mention that I was crying when she probed into my PTSD symptoms. It left me crying and unable to fully focus on the assessment. She forgot to mention the trick questions that she continued to ask throughout, ignoring my breathlessness and overwhelming distress. Please be aware that they do try and trick people.

I was aware that I had 13 months to prepare myself for a fight. I wrote a transcript of the recording. "Please people don’t waste you time on a written transcript, because they won’t accept it as valid. Use your recording of the assessment"

I rang PIP on Monday this week. Was told you cant get a mandatory reconsideration because it should be done within the month. I reminded her I had 13 months. She puffed and sounded agitated until I warned her I was recording my call so I would remember I made the call. She set the ball rolling straight away. I had a call from capita, they said we need proof that the assessor did and said what you say she did. I said there is no problem with me providing proof. I want to email my proof.

After several email exchanges where they said they could not open my MP3 recording for security reasons. “ I had used dropbox because MP3 files are big”
I tried gmail and managed to make it work for me. I reminded capita that I had copies of my emails, that the recording does play and I am using it as evidence of what was really said in my assessment.

Today I was paying my credit card on my bank. I almost fainted. PIP have paid me. I am assuming it’s a back payment for what they refused to pay me in living and mobility payments.

What surprises me mostly is this. Monday I asked for MR. I spent Tuesday and Wednesday emailing capita about the MP3 recording. It took me just 4 days to get a response and a payment. They had to have listened to the recording else they wouldn’t have paid me.

I am waiting to see how many points they have awarded me now. I am sure it will have to be more than the misery 12 points I had in October last year. Please record your assessment, it is for your own personal use, and omg am I glad that I did.
I will drop by again when I find out more about my points

Thank you so much.

It took me 4 months to compile, I even got my medical records from my GP because I was so angry and I nearly gave up. Having to listen to my recording made me cry because it was so horrendous. I never noticed on the day of my assessment her trick questions or why on earth she expected me to remember hospital dates etc and then threatened several times to terminate the assessment because I couldn't remember the dates.

I sent everything medical to them. But I knew when she kicked me to the ground when she started to interrogate me about my PTSD. I knew that it just was not right or fair.

I just want to help others who are in the same situation, having a recording is important because PIP could not argue when they have no choice but to listen to the assessment interrogations the lies and how badly I was treated.
I said to capita and PIP. I don't care what anyone says about me as long as its the truth.

I wish I could go back and make them pay me from years ago when they rejected me completely. I was too ill to fight them.
But I have learned a lot since then.
When you have nowhere else to go, you just have to fight back.

Thanks again BIS