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50 mile drive to PIP assessment
- Gina
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2 years 6 months ago #272361 by Gina
50 mile drive to PIP assessment was created by Gina
I applied for PIP lower rate mobility back in May and today had a text to say I had an appointment for a face to face assessment 50 miles away from where I live. This does not seem reasonable at all, it would take at least an hour and a half and is not even straight forward, it's on some trading estate.
My sense of direction is awful and whilst I can drive I would find this long journey a 100 mile round trip very hard given the discomfort I would be in. I could possibly ask a relative to drive me but I still don't find it reasonable. It is at 9.20am so I'd have to leave very early to get there.
I think I will refuse this appointment. Does anyone have any advice here? It says here on this site most PIP assessments are by phone but mine is face to face which I'd dread.
My sense of direction is awful and whilst I can drive I would find this long journey a 100 mile round trip very hard given the discomfort I would be in. I could possibly ask a relative to drive me but I still don't find it reasonable. It is at 9.20am so I'd have to leave very early to get there.
I think I will refuse this appointment. Does anyone have any advice here? It says here on this site most PIP assessments are by phone but mine is face to face which I'd dread.
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- BIS
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2 years 6 months ago #272366 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic 50 mile drive to PIP assessment
Hi Gina
I don't think it's reasonable either, but you may be unable to change it to a nearer venue. However, you can ask whoever is carrying out the assessment (IAS or Capita) to change the type of assessment - eg a telephone assessment instead of face-to-face. You can read about how to do this on page 106 of the manual. (Guide to PIP claims and reviews - the first one on the page)
benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip
BIS
I don't think it's reasonable either, but you may be unable to change it to a nearer venue. However, you can ask whoever is carrying out the assessment (IAS or Capita) to change the type of assessment - eg a telephone assessment instead of face-to-face. You can read about how to do this on page 106 of the manual. (Guide to PIP claims and reviews - the first one on the page)
benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip
BIS
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- PDix
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2 years 6 months ago #272409 by PDix
Replied by PDix on topic 50 mile drive to PIP assessment
Did you get traveling suggestions with your appointment letter because they cannot ask you to travel for more than 90 mins? If the travel suggestions are coming in with a longer time or involve a lot of walking just tell them you can’t do it and need a venue which is more accessible or taxi fare. I remember my suggested journey involved walking for a mile and a half with a fairly steep gradient to a bus stop. The taxi fare does have to be claimed afterward.
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- Gina
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2 years 6 months ago #272417 by Gina
Replied by Gina on topic 50 mile drive to PIP assessment
Thank you. When I rang them first they tried to get me to go to a town 20 miles away instead of 50. I still wasn't happy and asked about having a phone assessment and they gave me an appointment for a phone assessment the same day as it would have been if I had driven a hundred mile round trip. I'm glad I rang them!
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- BIS
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2 years 6 months ago #272420 by BIS
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Replied by BIS on topic 50 mile drive to PIP assessment
Hi Gina
So glad that you rang them and you have it sorted. If you need guidance on the telephone assessment you will find it in the same guide.
BIS
So glad that you rang them and you have it sorted. If you need guidance on the telephone assessment you will find it in the same guide.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- phrank
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2 years 6 months ago #272433 by phrank
Replied by phrank on topic 50 mile drive to PIP assessment
Hi Gina,
You have been not only a victim of the DWP's incompetence, but an unfortunate sufferer of the bureaucracy and computerised nonsense that is the modern world.
50 miles to go to an assessment is ridiculous when the majority of the same are carried out over the phone. (Lord knows how a experienced health care professional can work out how far you can walk remotely), but there it is.
50 miles, honestly.
Have your passports ready. You never know.
Regards,
Phrank.
You have been not only a victim of the DWP's incompetence, but an unfortunate sufferer of the bureaucracy and computerised nonsense that is the modern world.
50 miles to go to an assessment is ridiculous when the majority of the same are carried out over the phone. (Lord knows how a experienced health care professional can work out how far you can walk remotely), but there it is.
50 miles, honestly.
Have your passports ready. You never know.
Regards,
Phrank.
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