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Problems with Assessment report
- Sasha
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1 year 8 months ago #279903 by Sasha
Problems with Assessment report was created by Sasha
I received my PIP assessor’s report last week for my PIP review. I do not have a decision yet. The assessor has recommended that I keep the same award as before and I am reasonably happy with this. However, I am extremely worried about the report because it is very poor quality and it doesn’t support my need for this award at all. I had a paper based assessment so the assessor didn’t actually speak to me.
The main piece of evidence I sent in is not even listed and the assessor does not refer to any of the other evidence I provided in her arguments. Nor does she refer to much of the actual information I gave about my struggles with the tasks. So many of her statements about me are untrue eg. She states that I do not have any pain medication prescribed which is not true and if she’d read my form she’d know that. I am concerned that the decision maker will not be convinced by her report and I don’t know what to do. It feels as if she wrote it in a huge rush without really reading anything properly.
I have typed out all the mistakes in the form and corrected them and it fills 2 sides of A4. Should I wait until I have a decision before I do anything with this? The assessor’s report was written a month ago. If I am fortunate and am awarded the benefit she has recommended, would it be best to send this information anyway? I don’t feel happy having so many incorrect statements in my file but I am not sure what to do.
The main piece of evidence I sent in is not even listed and the assessor does not refer to any of the other evidence I provided in her arguments. Nor does she refer to much of the actual information I gave about my struggles with the tasks. So many of her statements about me are untrue eg. She states that I do not have any pain medication prescribed which is not true and if she’d read my form she’d know that. I am concerned that the decision maker will not be convinced by her report and I don’t know what to do. It feels as if she wrote it in a huge rush without really reading anything properly.
I have typed out all the mistakes in the form and corrected them and it fills 2 sides of A4. Should I wait until I have a decision before I do anything with this? The assessor’s report was written a month ago. If I am fortunate and am awarded the benefit she has recommended, would it be best to send this information anyway? I don’t feel happy having so many incorrect statements in my file but I am not sure what to do.
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- Gary
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1 year 8 months ago #279912 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic Problems with Assessment report
Hi Philippa C
There is a small 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 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.
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.
Don't forget to check out our guide; benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip
Make sure that your letter makes it clear that you are not requesting a Mandatory Reconsideration but you reserve the right to do so once a Decision has been made.
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
There is a small 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 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.
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.
Don't forget to check out our guide; benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/pip
Make sure that your letter makes it clear that you are not requesting a Mandatory Reconsideration but you reserve the right to do so once a Decision has been made.
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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- Sasha
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1 year 8 months ago #279920 by Sasha
Replied by Sasha on topic Problems with Assessment report
Thank you. I am reasonably happy with the award that the assessor has recommended. I am just concerned that some of comments are totally untrue and will give the decision maker a very inaccurate picture of my health. For example, I did not expect to get any points for the question about following a route because my problems are physical which doesn’t score you points. But the assessor has written, “The claimant has stated in her FE that she can attend all necessary medical appointments.” This is not true. I have said that I am housebound and have been having home visits.
I think I will have to wait and see what the outcome is.
I think I will have to wait and see what the outcome is.
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