To be delighted PIP assessments are to be face to face?

[PAYE]

The only good thing about the budget is that Rachel Reeves announced that face to face assessments for PIP and disability benefits are being brought back. AIBU to think that this is a great thing?

It will make sure that the money goes to those who need it. It is madness that such face to face assessments were ever stopped.

@BrownTroutBluesAgain
Sorry if I’m being short with you (it’s not personal) - this OP appears to have made up a news story that was NOT announced today.
Face to face (f2f abbreviated) assessments have always been standard unless it’s evident from a first f2f assessment that the condition is lifelong (and medical records submitted align with this).
So this is a “click bait” type thread.
People like me who have disabled family members are a) addressing this upthread already and b) utterly fed up trying to explain how disability affects people and how benefits actually are awarded etc etc etc

Then why are the claims going through the roof?

I don't really understand your point.... If you are claiming based in not being able to walk and you walk even short distances then yes you should be assessed as able to walk and be given points based on this. By your logic how does a wheelchair bound person answer a door?

So you're son submitted no medical evidence, refused to give his drs details and they just took his word for it. Sure

They really do. They ask you a question, and then record something different to what you actually said. My friend accompanied me to one of mine and then read the response paperwork which denied my claim, and she was horrified at the difference between what I’d said and what the assessor had written down.

Recording these sessions would catch a lot of these assessors out. I’m going to secretly record my next one.

Provided they still do home visits for some people, I think it’s a good idea.

Because we have a failing nhs, pension age has increased and we've just been through a pandemic its hardly surprising that more people are disabled

@propertyD
Ffs!
Thats not only not the point of this (boring benefits bashing) thread,
There are multiple reasons - aging population who are not reaching pension age because pension age keeps rising.
Long covid.
Mental health services being almost non-existent on the NHS.
NHS having enormous and lengthy waiting lists for treatment- causing rises in preventable permanent disability.
Covid experience impacting teenagers I suppose.
Medical science being better so people don’t die from conditions as early as they would have.
Lots and lots of reasons. More than I know I expect.

You can ask for them to be recorded. I went from nothing to high rate for both on mandatory reconsideration all the information was the same the only difference was mandatory reconsideration was recorded

Let’s hope they hold them in accessible venues…

People lie

Must be different in different areas. Our GP definitely had paperwork to fill in because he phoned me up and told me exactly what he wrote.

My friend has just had to claim PIP and was successful as she has been waiting for years for a hip replacement. It is taking so long, her hip socket/ball is ruined. She really struggles to walk. She is in her 60s and still works- when she is well enough. This is one reason why claims may be rocketing…

do you normally get reimbursed for attending medical appointments? If no then I doubt this be any different. I don’t see why anyone would be reimbursed by the government for taking time off work to look after my non-disabled children or for my own appointments. You might find there is a charity who could help you with transport, although I don’t think you will have any luck regarding your loss of income.

Well I'm doing something wrong then

My 25+ years of medical evidence apparently wasn't needed. (And appare tly made fuck all difference anyway)

honestly don't understand how any gets it that easily?! With no evidence?? And yet they can turn someone down with 25+ years of medical proof? 😞🫠

I work in healthcare. I am very much of the opinion that in most long term sickness we are over-medicalising it and downplaying the social elements. I don't know what the answer is exactly but I think any money would be better spent supporting these social barriers to work and not scrutinising the medical conditions that on the whole claimants might sometimes exaggarate but don't usually lie about

@Ohthatsabitshit
Firstly, this is a made up story by the OP so don’t stress.
Secondly, if your DC is called for assessment I’m sure you can phone SWP and explain the situation.
Don’t let wankers stress you out

This is very sensible of Reeves. So PIP pisstakers. The apologist would have an easier position to defend if the pisstakers were quite proud about their achievements and stopped telling people.

@Shakeyourwammyfannyfunkysong
That’s a very sweeping statement!

I hope you don’t think social events will get my child talking or walking or eating. I mean, if socialisation could do that, she’d be ruling the world right now instead of sitting in a specialist OT chair watching baby cartoons at aged 8

@Bumblebee72
Ot was t suggested by Reeves. Today or at any point.
It already exists for PIP claimants.
This is a made up news story by the OP

They are already face to face @PAYE ….

Those who aren’t face to face is because it would actually be hurtful to people to come in. Like asking a bedbound person to come in. Or someone who self harms etc…..

My dd claims PIP and filling in the forms was a nightmare, I was hoping they would ask for a face to face as then they could see that she is severely disabled. Dd is almost non verbal, severely autistic (constant stimming, flapping etc….. and learning difficulties), I was worried without a face to face I would be accused of lying. Luckily her claim was processed purely on evidence, she has a EHCP and a lot of medical reports, diagnosis and therapy.

I do think face to face is much better, though I know some will complain because they feel they are unable to cope with face to face. My daughter would have struggled with a face to face appointment but at least that would show and prove how she can’t cope well with many situations.

Despite what some people think, PIP is hard to get, unless you have a load of evidence backing up everything you write on those forms, many get turned down including those with life limiting conditions. There’s only a tiny % of people that are screwing over the system and if face to face reduces that further then it’s a good thing.

And yet there are always posters rushing to tell us that benefit fraud is a very minor problem, hardly worth worrying about….

No he submitted no paperwork other than the form, he provided his Dr’s details but they have never been contacted by DWP ( we asked).

But in all honesty your daughter doesn't represent the majority of PIP claimants. I'm not for one second suggesting that somebody with your daughter's conditions shouldn't get any support that they need. It is a very small proportion of the country though I'd say who are literally unable to do any kind of work... And no I don't mean people should be 'socialised' I mean they should receive more support to build their confidence and figure out what they really are capable of doing.