Helping a friend with PIP and UC. Was due a call monday with work coach but call never came. Logged it in journal and rang them. Friend was super upset and fretting about it since (suffers with anxiety & depression & on suicide watch). Now today he was due his pip assessment by phone. Cancelled at 8.30am. Been rescheduled however again it has greatly upset him and we are concerned for him. Is the DWP able to treat a vulnerable person this way?
I'm sorry to hear what has happened to your friend. It's great that he has your support.
The bottom line is - that sometimes they do cancel appointments. I am thankful that although it was last minute - they did actually tell him this time.
You can put in a complaint - but it probably won't come to anything. They have many vulnerable claimants, but it won't stop them from cancelling appointments if needed. If you're able to be with him at some point, you could put in a call to the DWP (he will have to be there to give his permission) and check whether he is marked down on their records as a vulnerable person and are aware that he is on suicide watch. There is a specialist team to deal with those considered to be particularly vulnerable - but I think it is hit-and-miss how someone gets identified in that manner.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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