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the wait between telephone assessment & decision
- prefer not to say
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2 years 10 months ago #268310 by prefer not to say
Replied by prefer not to say on topic the wait between telephone assessment & decision
OK
I managed to get through today after a 25 minute wait.
The decision letter was supposedly sent out end of January! About a week after my telephone conversation
I had not received any decision letter & as no payments have been received into my account, I am guessing I was unsuccessful.
I am being sent a copy of the decision letter + a copy of the PA4
What do I do now? I am guessing the appeal window has closed through no fault of my own..
I managed to get through today after a 25 minute wait.
The decision letter was supposedly sent out end of January! About a week after my telephone conversation
I had not received any decision letter & as no payments have been received into my account, I am guessing I was unsuccessful.
I am being sent a copy of the decision letter + a copy of the PA4
What do I do now? I am guessing the appeal window has closed through no fault of my own..
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- BIS
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2 years 10 months ago #268335 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic the wait between telephone assessment & decision
Hi Prefer not to say
When you get the copy of the decision letter, if it goes against you, which you think it might, you can still put in for a late Mandatory Reconsideration. You are able to explain why you missed the month's deadline and this should be accepted.
BIS
When you get the copy of the decision letter, if it goes against you, which you think it might, you can still put in for a late Mandatory Reconsideration. You are able to explain why you missed the month's deadline and this should be accepted.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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2 years 10 months ago #268480 by prefer not to say
Replied by prefer not to say on topic the wait between telephone assessment & decision
I have my PA4 & zero points.
and obviously glaring inaccuracies.
Refusing to see the use of a stool or chair as aid (I can't stand for long periods without sharp pains in my feet)
Not sure exactly what a simple meal is. I said I often need help for someone to take over so I can sit & gave an example like watching pasta to boil. I can sit to bring a pan of water to boil, but something that needs watching is much more difficult.
The assessor constantly refers to the fact I can access all areas of my home. How is that relevant? It is not like I have a basement with steep stairs or some sort of crawl space. I told the assessor I have a banister & handrail - they only put down me as having 1. Ignored that I have a grab rail at the top of the stairs & one next to the toilet.
I love the question where the assessor asks about how I manage with shopping. I told them I get online shopping delivered. Somehow this translated into I can manage to walk up & down supermarket isles slowly and stopping.
Not sure what evidence I should put in, rather than it being my word against Capita's.
One last question - what is a moderate dose of prescribed pain relief?
I have checked NICE guidelines & I take the higher end of the recommended doses - 1000mg
and obviously glaring inaccuracies.
Refusing to see the use of a stool or chair as aid (I can't stand for long periods without sharp pains in my feet)
Not sure exactly what a simple meal is. I said I often need help for someone to take over so I can sit & gave an example like watching pasta to boil. I can sit to bring a pan of water to boil, but something that needs watching is much more difficult.
The assessor constantly refers to the fact I can access all areas of my home. How is that relevant? It is not like I have a basement with steep stairs or some sort of crawl space. I told the assessor I have a banister & handrail - they only put down me as having 1. Ignored that I have a grab rail at the top of the stairs & one next to the toilet.
I love the question where the assessor asks about how I manage with shopping. I told them I get online shopping delivered. Somehow this translated into I can manage to walk up & down supermarket isles slowly and stopping.
Not sure what evidence I should put in, rather than it being my word against Capita's.
One last question - what is a moderate dose of prescribed pain relief?
I have checked NICE guidelines & I take the higher end of the recommended doses - 1000mg
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- Gary
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2 years 10 months ago #268493 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic the wait between telephone assessment & decision
Hi prefer not to say
Thank you for your post.
This is why we keep banging on to members when you have had your assessment contact DWP and ask for a copy of the assessors report, for PIP it is called a PA4 within 48 hours after the assessment, for WCA it is called a UC85/ESA85, you have to wait until a decision has been made befor you can request a copy.
Now you have the assessment report you will have a better understanding of how the DWP Decision Maker has come to their conclusions and you will now be able to argue against them.
I usually use a highlighter to highlight any inaccuracies, once you have gone through the report you then set out why you are applying for a MR and go through each descriptor one at a time why you disagree with the assessor and try and match it with any supporting documents you may have sent in.
Understand that the assessor is offering an opinion when they say 'in my opinion' you 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., remember they are just an opinion which is not based on fact.
Also, try and stick to issues that lead to your scoring points, I 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.
Your primary task is to show that you meet the criteria, there are many reasons you may have failed, you need to address each of these but don't get bogged down in criticising the assessment report unless you can clearly show that it is incorrect, it is a lot easier to argue the facts of the situation;
Lastly, make sure that you understand the criteria that you are being assessed against you can put the best case forward that is possible but you won't score points if you do not meet the PIP Descriptors.
Have a look at our PIP MR & Appeal guide, www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip
When you have a better idea of the issues with your claim, come back to the forum and we will do our best to help.
Gary
Thank you for your post.
This is why we keep banging on to members when you have had your assessment contact DWP and ask for a copy of the assessors report, for PIP it is called a PA4 within 48 hours after the assessment, for WCA it is called a UC85/ESA85, you have to wait until a decision has been made befor you can request a copy.
Now you have the assessment report you will have a better understanding of how the DWP Decision Maker has come to their conclusions and you will now be able to argue against them.
I usually use a highlighter to highlight any inaccuracies, once you have gone through the report you then set out why you are applying for a MR and go through each descriptor one at a time why you disagree with the assessor and try and match it with any supporting documents you may have sent in.
Understand that the assessor is offering an opinion when they say 'in my opinion' you 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., remember they are just an opinion which is not based on fact.
Also, try and stick to issues that lead to your scoring points, I 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.
Your primary task is to show that you meet the criteria, there are many reasons you may have failed, you need to address each of these but don't get bogged down in criticising the assessment report unless you can clearly show that it is incorrect, it is a lot easier to argue the facts of the situation;
Lastly, make sure that you understand the criteria that you are being assessed against you can put the best case forward that is possible but you won't score points if you do not meet the PIP Descriptors.
Have a look at our PIP MR & Appeal guide, www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip
When you have a better idea of the issues with your claim, come back to the forum and we will do our best to help.
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- denby
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2 years 10 months ago #268506 by denby
Replied by denby on topic the wait between telephone assessment & decision
Hi prefer not to say. Is it only zero points off the PA4 or have you got an actual decision?
If, if, you have not yet got the actual decision you have a short time to write to "The Decision Maker" ASAP ie before they make their decision based on rubbish. In this letter you can take the whole rubbish report apart, do it very coldly. I did and I added an NHS page about Tramadol being for severe pain, whereas the assessor tried to say it was for moderate pain. So you may be able to find something similar. Follow all Gary's advice as you draft your letter, just as you would for an MR, which is next if you have in fact already had the decision
Hope this helps, remember that should you have to go as far as Tribunal eventually, they are entirely separate from DWP and well used to the your-word against-theirs and often absolutely see right through the DWP's rubbish to find in your favour.
Best wishes,
Denby
If, if, you have not yet got the actual decision you have a short time to write to "The Decision Maker" ASAP ie before they make their decision based on rubbish. In this letter you can take the whole rubbish report apart, do it very coldly. I did and I added an NHS page about Tramadol being for severe pain, whereas the assessor tried to say it was for moderate pain. So you may be able to find something similar. Follow all Gary's advice as you draft your letter, just as you would for an MR, which is next if you have in fact already had the decision
Hope this helps, remember that should you have to go as far as Tribunal eventually, they are entirely separate from DWP and well used to the your-word against-theirs and often absolutely see right through the DWP's rubbish to find in your favour.
Best wishes,
Denby
The following user(s) said Thank You: Gary, SUE C C
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2 years 10 months ago #268515 by prefer not to say
Replied by prefer not to say on topic the wait between telephone assessment & decision
Yes,
it is the decision as well.
This is dated 28th January - I never received the original.
Currently going through each step. Not sure what I should include as extras. I am trying to round out my issue which started as an impairment most of my life & has gradually got worse. Trying to find the court cases where normal items can be classed as an aid & does not need to be a special purchase or prescribed item. Should I include photos of my home? my condition, etc.?
I really do not understand why they take a long view on my health condition, when it is the relatively new condition that has incapacitated me.
it is the decision as well.
This is dated 28th January - I never received the original.
Currently going through each step. Not sure what I should include as extras. I am trying to round out my issue which started as an impairment most of my life & has gradually got worse. Trying to find the court cases where normal items can be classed as an aid & does not need to be a special purchase or prescribed item. Should I include photos of my home? my condition, etc.?
I really do not understand why they take a long view on my health condition, when it is the relatively new condition that has incapacitated me.
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