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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not want to rearrange appointment again?

14 replies

StressedD · 30/10/2019 18:25

I have to attend a face to face assessment for PIP. I've had to reschedule the first appointment I was given as I couldn't attend. The letter for the rescheduled appointment arrived today and I informed my support worker of the date and time. They have asked me to rearrange the appointment as they don't work that day.
AIBU to not want to rearrange this appointment a second time?

OP posts:

weymouthswanderingmermaid · 30/10/2019 18:31

What else can you do? Is there someone else who can go with you? If your support worker doesn't work that day, then they can't go with you. So you'll need to find someone else if you want to keep that appointment.

30somethingandtired · 30/10/2019 18:50

Up to you... either

rearrange and go with your support worker

don't rearrange and go without your support worker

Whichever one you prefer. Simples.

Original poster

StressedD · 30/10/2019 18:53

I have asked if anyone else is able to go with me, but I'm just told to ask again nearer the time. Last time I asked for a friend or family member to attend an appointment with me (due to my anxiety problems) I was just told to stop being silly and go on my own.

OP posts:

Original poster

StressedD · 30/10/2019 18:57

@30somethingandtired going on my own isn't an option. I suffer from bad anxiety and have memory problems.
There's also no guarantee that, if I rearrange the appointment, my support worker will be able to go with me if something urgent comes up on the same day. I could go through all the stress and anxiety it causes me to have to rearrange and end up with no one to attend with me, which means I'd be stuck for getting to and from the appointment.

OP posts:

MadamHattie · 30/10/2019 18:57

I think you can only reschedule the once with these appointments so I would really try and go if you can

MrsMaiselsMuff · 30/10/2019 19:01

MadamHattie is correct, you can only reschedule once. If you contact them they will pay for a taxi to get you there.

MrsMaiselsMuff · 30/10/2019 19:08

Are you housebound? You can request a home visit if you have a letter from your specialist to confirm you cannot leave the house. Although they can even refuse that because you have already rescheduled.

Original poster

StressedD · 30/10/2019 19:26

@MrsMaiselsMuff Unfortunately my anxiety increases when anyone comes to visit (even family), so a home appointment would be out. It's a catch-22. I have anxiety about going to places, it's better if I have someone with me. But I also have anxiety around visitors to my house and no way of mitigating it.

OP posts:

janj2301 · 30/10/2019 19:33

My husband insists on having his assessments recorded and on the ground floor. Only one centre, miles away does that but we get appointnents there, but he is a really stroppy bugger

MrsMaiselsMuff · 30/10/2019 19:38

Then you're going to need to arrange a taxi or get someone to go with you.

It's a horribly stressful process, but you know if you don't attend they can (and often do) end your award.

BarbourellaTheCoatzilla · 30/10/2019 19:59

I can imagine it is a horribly stressful process, and I feel for those who have been affected by the changes. But you need to compromise. If you don't attend you won't be able to claim anything, so you really need to work out what to do. If your support worker does not usually work that day is there another they could send in their place? I don't think it's appropriate to expect them to come in on their day off when you say they could be called away anyway. If what other's have said is correct then you won't be able to change the date anyway and you just unfortunately have to suck it up and get on with it.

AloeVeraLynn · 30/10/2019 20:04

You do need to make compromise somewhere, they are ruthless gits and they won't hesitate to just stop your money which will put you in a much worse position. I would keep the appointment, keep asking if anyone else can go with you. If you have to go alone I understand you will be very anxious but perhaps the good side of that is they will be able to see how you struggle. Don't give them the opportunity to cut your PIP.

stucknoue · 30/10/2019 20:08

You need to compromise somewhere, either attend alone/with a friend or family member. OR speak to your support worker and find out when they can attend over the next 4-6 weeks. I attend with my dd, they let me choose a time

Original poster

StressedD · 31/10/2019 14:19

Thanks all. Have spoken with the assessment people today and been given some dates that have appointments at a different centre (nearer home), just waiting for my support worker to say if any of them are possible for her. I spoke with her earlier and she did say, but I couldn't remember them all (need to learn to write things down!). If none of the dates work, will have to find someone to attend with me.

OP posts:

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