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Not Given Alternative to Phone Assessment
- catlover
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2 years 1 month ago #275954 by catlover
Not Given Alternative to Phone Assessment was created by catlover
I received a call out of the blue today telling me that it's been a year since I last did a paper review and they want to know if anything has changed. I have been received PIP for about 8 years. I was told that it would be a scheduled phone assessment. Among many other things I suffer from severe incontinence so told the person that I would have to go to the toilet several times in that hour and her instant reply was 'in that case we will write to your GP'. I asked why I couldn't fill in another paper review form and was told no - nothing else. I personally would much prefer a paper form as I also have Long Covid and haven't left the house for months. Does anyone know if I could ask for a paper form? My GP doesn't even know that I have Long Covid. I have only spoken to her on the phone in the past 2 years and seen her once. She has no idea how I get on on a day-to- day basis. What will happen if they go ahead and asked my GP for a report? Am I able to challenge that? Many thanks in advance.
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2 years 1 month ago #275959 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Not Given Alternative to Phone Assessment
Hi Catlover
I am slightly perturbed that you have not been given the opportunity to complete a review form. On that review form, you could have requested a paper-based assessment. They may not have agreed to it, but you could have appealed again. Now it sounds like they will write to your GP and then do a paper-based assessment. If you gave permission on your original PIP form for the DWP to contact your GP - they will do so. If you can't remember whether or not you did, you will either have it on a copy of your original form, or you will have to ask the DWP. You can withdraw your permission, but they will base their judgement on the information they have, which they may think is not enough.
Just be warned, the DWP are unlikely to take much notice of you saying that you have Long Covid as having had limited contact with your GP, you don't have a referral to a Long Covid clinic, and your GP is not aware that you are suffering from it. (By the way, I'm not suggesting you don't have it - just saying what may be the DWP's attitude). Clearly, your GP can't put it on a form if they know nothing about it. You may want to update your GP.
BIS
I am slightly perturbed that you have not been given the opportunity to complete a review form. On that review form, you could have requested a paper-based assessment. They may not have agreed to it, but you could have appealed again. Now it sounds like they will write to your GP and then do a paper-based assessment. If you gave permission on your original PIP form for the DWP to contact your GP - they will do so. If you can't remember whether or not you did, you will either have it on a copy of your original form, or you will have to ask the DWP. You can withdraw your permission, but they will base their judgement on the information they have, which they may think is not enough.
Just be warned, the DWP are unlikely to take much notice of you saying that you have Long Covid as having had limited contact with your GP, you don't have a referral to a Long Covid clinic, and your GP is not aware that you are suffering from it. (By the way, I'm not suggesting you don't have it - just saying what may be the DWP's attitude). Clearly, your GP can't put it on a form if they know nothing about it. You may want to update your GP.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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2 years 1 month ago #275962 by catlover
Replied by catlover on topic Not Given Alternative to Phone Assessment
Thank you for replying. Yes, I see your point. I shall get in touch with my GP and update them. Thanks again.
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