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PIP report
- Cadno
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2 months 2 weeks ago #299066 by Cadno
PIP report was created by Cadno
I am awaiting my reassessment decision letter from DWP and today received a copy of the health professional’s report.
To briefly give some background I was awarded the higher rate for both components for 3 years and reassessed November 2024. I have physical and mental health conditions which have worsened since the original award and new physical conditions.
The telephone call assessment was almost 4 hours, extremely stressful and upsetting and my support worker was party to this call.
She received a follow up call from Capita and amongst other things was told any future assessment would be recommended as paper based due to the overwhelming distress it caused and she would also be recommending a long term award. This person was not the health professional who conducted the original telephone assessment and I can see the report is also signed off by another health professional who is neither the person who conducted the telephone assessment or who spoke to my support worker. My understanding is the original health professional who conducted the assessment was no longer working for CAPITA and my support worker was asked if I wanted to make a complaint regarding the assessment as a whole.
I understand that I need to wait for the final decision letter but I can see from the potential points awarded I will keep my current award however for a recommended term of 2 years with a review as my restrictions will likely be present at this time still.
I’m confused as to why the award length recommendation time has been reduced when my health has worsened and the conversation held with my support worker. Also there seems to be 3 separate people from CAPITA involved in the report, the person writing/signing off the report not even the original assessor or person who spoke to my support worker.
Is it possible to challenge the length of an award based on my experience as I understand the DWP are likely to go with CAPITA’s recommendation.
Thanks
To briefly give some background I was awarded the higher rate for both components for 3 years and reassessed November 2024. I have physical and mental health conditions which have worsened since the original award and new physical conditions.
The telephone call assessment was almost 4 hours, extremely stressful and upsetting and my support worker was party to this call.
She received a follow up call from Capita and amongst other things was told any future assessment would be recommended as paper based due to the overwhelming distress it caused and she would also be recommending a long term award. This person was not the health professional who conducted the original telephone assessment and I can see the report is also signed off by another health professional who is neither the person who conducted the telephone assessment or who spoke to my support worker. My understanding is the original health professional who conducted the assessment was no longer working for CAPITA and my support worker was asked if I wanted to make a complaint regarding the assessment as a whole.
I understand that I need to wait for the final decision letter but I can see from the potential points awarded I will keep my current award however for a recommended term of 2 years with a review as my restrictions will likely be present at this time still.
I’m confused as to why the award length recommendation time has been reduced when my health has worsened and the conversation held with my support worker. Also there seems to be 3 separate people from CAPITA involved in the report, the person writing/signing off the report not even the original assessor or person who spoke to my support worker.
Is it possible to challenge the length of an award based on my experience as I understand the DWP are likely to go with CAPITA’s recommendation.
Thanks
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- BIS
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2 months 2 weeks ago #299135 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic PIP report
Hi Cadno
I'm sorry that you had such an appalling time. A four-hour assessment is ridiculous and, in my view, grossly unfair.
There is no proper mechanism for challenging the length of an award, but people do sometimes challenge it and a few have been successful. Once you get the decision letter, if you are satisfied with the actual award, you could write to them and say while you are happy with the award, you think the length is too short. You will need to explain why you think it is too short.
Be aware they have been shortening awards - even for people with long-term conditions and I'm not sure in the current climate they will change it - but you won't know unless you try.
Best of luck
BIS
I'm sorry that you had such an appalling time. A four-hour assessment is ridiculous and, in my view, grossly unfair.
There is no proper mechanism for challenging the length of an award, but people do sometimes challenge it and a few have been successful. Once you get the decision letter, if you are satisfied with the actual award, you could write to them and say while you are happy with the award, you think the length is too short. You will need to explain why you think it is too short.
Be aware they have been shortening awards - even for people with long-term conditions and I'm not sure in the current climate they will change it - but you won't know unless you try.
Best of luck
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Cadno
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2 months 1 week ago #299149 by Cadno
Replied by Cadno on topic PIP report
Thank you. Just a quick update, I had the DWP decision letter today and kept the enhanced rate for both with an award length of 3 years which is the same as my current award and a year longer than recommended by the CAPITA health professional.
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- BIS
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2 months 1 week ago #299280 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic PIP report
Hi Cadno
Thanks for the update. I'm glad you got a year longer than the assessor recommended. It's not much, but better than nothing, if you don't want to challenge it.
BIS
Thanks for the update. I'm glad you got a year longer than the assessor recommended. It's not much, but better than nothing, if you don't want to challenge it.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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