AIBU to be terrified of my PIP assessment?

[Godstopper]

I have been on an indefinite (apparently not) mid-care and low-mobility DLA award since 2005 and have been summoned to the dreaded face-to-face next week. Atos have already erred by booking the wrong sort of support (reluctant to say for what as there can't be too many requiring it, so possibly identifying) leading to them cancelling several appointments - though they say it's sorted now.

I'm backed up with a fairly detailed GP letter and test results. But I just don't trust the assessor to act ethically. This is wrong as we are supposed to be able to trust these people.

I've requested to record (buying the recorders this weekend) and will also request the assessor's full name, registration number, and report a few days after the assessment so I can begin any appeal well in advance of the decision letter.

Am I being unreasonably paranoid? Whilst we are fine in my partner's income, my DLA has helped me manage things a bit better for myself and cover most extra costs. The thought of losing the only income I have has already made my mental health massively worse (it's one condition I'm claiming for), e.g. I'm still in bed at 11 am because I can't face dealing with anything. Maybe the DWP would be happy if people like me killed themselves to save costs.

I keep trying to find small p/t jobs to improve said mental health but keep getting rejected after I disclose the non mental health condition. Yesterday's rejection was from Sainsburys despite the interviewer saying all my answers were good. Or is it my PhD? I dunno. I don't regard myself as above anything and would be really happy to develop some non-academic skills! I'm just so very tired of building myself up only to get the standard rejection a day or so later.

I am mentally exhausted and now fear dealing with a possible lying assessor. There must be understanding people in this system, surely?

My assessor had my form as she went through my diagnoses with the dates on and sometimes referred to things. Don't know what happened in your case.

Capita ?

I think inconsistencies in the system are actually part of how it's intended to work. Or, to put it another way, when I was tasked with devising ways to circumvent the power of the internet, one of the techniques was to ensure that abitrary rules - and their enforcement - would make it impossible to compare notes. I give you this thread.

As with most things where forms are involved, it becomes an exercise in how well you can fill the forms out.

Like exams. If anyone really believes they are designed or intended to prove a knowledge of anything beyond doing exams, then I have a bridge to sell.

Mine was with Independent Assessment Services, i.e. ATOS rebranded.

Yup. It does feel like an exam with words you should use to gain points, but many won't know this because who seriously wants to plough through official government guides? I did and made sure I used the words "reliably, repeatedly, safely, and in a timely manner" when I couldn't do stuff and provided examples. When I spoke, I more or less repeated what was on my form. If dispute occurs, then at least I've started from the strongest possible position.

Yup. It does feel like an exam with words you should use to gain points, but many won't know this because who seriously wants to plough through official government guides?

The Benefits and Work forum has a wonderful guide to every question prepared by a local authority, along with the scoring matrix.

If you lose the benefit, you should appeal (after doing the Mandatory Reconsideration). Many people get the benefits back after going to the appeal tribunal. Information below.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/appeals/mandatory-reconsideration/

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/appeals/apply-to-tribunal/

I think the tabloid press have whipped up this into a frenzy and it is not reflective of the vast majority of situations.
And yet the statistics say differently.

My assessor was lovely. She lied. I lost all of my mobility allowances. Apparently if you can drive; you can multi task and make complex decisions.
I haven't appealed, I was sat by dd's hospital bed at the time of the decision and at that point didn't know if she was going to make it through the next 24 hours. She did, but we didn't know that then, and I was too distressed to appeal. I shall next time.

I attended a pip assessment with a friend who can't speak now following complications after brain surgery.

I rang for a copy of the report 2 days later, the assessor scored her 0 for most categories. She previously received HRC and HRM as she can't go anywhere unfamiliar and needs assistance with many activities.

I was so pissed off with the utterly inadequate report, I wrote a complaint to IAS before we even got the official letter from DWP. It took 4 weeks but when the verdict arrived they had taken into account my complaint, disregarded the assessors report and my friend was awarded enhanced care.

So, even if the copy of the report is crap do not despair. Fire off a letter of complaint immediately to IAS, don't wait for the DWP official letter. Don't say the assessor has lied, say the medical evidence was disregarded and state clearly what the errors are. You may well not get mobility, I have Deaf friends and they don't score enough for that but certainly for care you will get at least 8 for communication and possibly 12 if you can prove any anxiety affects social interaction. Good luck.

Hi Maracas,

It's scandalous what's happening to deaf people and mobility (as it is with many other conditions which were previously awarded); however, the mobility descriptor has recently changed to say that profoundly deaf people can score under the activity if someone is needed to relay information about e.g. travel disruptions. I mentioned this in as polite a way as I could, explaining that my partner navigates unfamiliar routes, as I don't believe that all assessors will have been trained in the changes (it only changed a few weeks ago).

I don't even know what to say about scoring zero for someone who can't speak! Pity that wasn't recorded. Having your complaint overturned before the DWP decision must be fairly rare.

I have a diagnosis of PTSD, of which anxiety is a large component. When we got to the end she said something like "I can see that your deafness and PTSD effects large parts of your daily life", but as others have said, sometimes they lie. We'll be calling for the report next week.

It's so stressful for claimants. They justified not awarding mobility because even though my friend needs assistance with communication so is never unaccompanied, they argued that that is covered in the communication section in the care bit.

I support the need to assess but the assessors must be competent, clearly if someone can't speak they can't go anywhere unfamiliar! my friend didn't want to appeal so she accepted the 16 care points (the assessor gave her a total of 4!!) , enhanced care for an ongoing period. Seemed the better choice rather than months more of uncertainty.