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Original poster

PIP phone assessments without appointments made

11 replies

LakieLady · 14/09/2023 14:21

In the last 2 weeks, a colleague and I have had 4 cases where a PIP applicant has been contacted out of the blue by a PIP assessor and had the assessment done there and then.

We are wondering how common this is, and how people feel about it.

I'd be very interested to hear views/comments.

OP posts:

Ballgateblazer · 14/09/2023 14:37

I had an appointment pre booked. However dc1 didn't. They rang out of the blue and it was quite upsetting. Paperwork we'd sent in requested they ring me but dc would be present (they didn't). They couldn't get much out of dc (has asd) and ended up speaking to me instead. It felt very underhand as if they were trying to prove phonecalls weren't an issue, when we'd put they were.

bingobongos · 14/09/2023 17:13

Do you mean a Decision Maker (Case Manager) at DWP? OR, a Health Care Professional to do the Medical Assessment (consultation)? They are two entirely different things!

The HCP can call you for further info but should be inviting you to a consultation. As per the PIP regulations (reg 9) you must be given at least 7 days notice of the consultation (unless you've agreed to accept a shorter notice period).

Original poster

LakieLady · 14/09/2023 20:33

They were the HCP assessors in all 4 cases, @bingobongos .

Thanks for the tip about the reg, I'll look it up when I'm back at work and we'll discuss how to deal with it.

OP posts:

Starlightstarbright2 · 14/09/2023 20:35

I had my Ds’s a couple of weeks ago ( I am appointee ) I had about 10 reminder texts prior to appointment

leknion · 14/09/2023 20:55

Do you know what would happen if they couldn't get through to the PIP applicant OP?

I have a review due and I sent in the paperwork ages ago. If they tried to call me they wouldn't get an answer unless they notified me in advance - I get very anxious with phone calls and just don't answer if I'm not expecting the call or know who it is.

bingobongos · 14/09/2023 22:51

@LakieLady I wonder if it's an issue with appointment letters not going out? There's nothing flagged up about this on Rightsnet. I've not come across it in the county I work in.

Given you've come across four cases - I'd be complaining to DWP immediately about it. Quote your clients names, NI numbers etc. They have to give notice of the assessment. It's in the regs. If these people get turned down/ or not the expected award, it'd be something to flag up in the CRMR1, SSCS1 and at tribunal.

bingobongos · 14/09/2023 22:55

@leknion they have to notify you with an appointment date and time. It's ATOS or Independent Assessment Services. You would therefore be expecting the call/ appointment if in person.

If you can't attend (the phone call or appointment), you need to call the number on the letter to rearrange.

If you miss the appointment it's highly likely the claim will be refused. But they certainly should be calling you out the blue to do the assessment.

hiredandsqueak · 14/09/2023 23:21

Dd had a largely paper based assessment but they did phone me out of the blue to clarify a few things. Not a problem for me as her appointee but can understand it would be difficult for claimants themselves. Contrast that with the WCA who phoned me three times on the day to tell me when I could expect the call, to tell me again they were likely to be ten minutes late and again to check whether it was ok to go ahead later than expected.

Sushione · 14/09/2023 23:37

I had one from IAS for my son (I'm his appointee and they don't have his number) they did say if it wasn't convenient they could call the next day but no text or letter like normal to say when it would be.

They went through the whole assessment rather than just a clarification but surprisingly had all his notes from upwards of 20 ish years ago when he started DLA and a pretty comprehensive set of drs notes that had been sent from the GP (I asked the GP what had been sent)

leknion · 15/09/2023 12:47

@bingobongos I'm not concerned about missing a phone appointment that I've been notified about. If they give the correct amount of notice I can arrange for a carer to support me. But OP is saying that phone assessments are happening without applicants being notified, so I'd be worried about that happening. They'd never manage to speak to me if they don't notify in advance, because I simply don't answer the phone. It sounds like it's not a wide issue across the country though if the issue isn't flagged up elsewhere. What part of the country are you in OP?

LetMeGoogleThat · 15/09/2023 13:09

I'm my son's appointee, the woman from Crapita called at 8.15am with no notice and was downright rude. I ended up having to talk over her to be heard. I was politely, trying to explain that it was a Tuesday and I was rushing to get my train to work. After that another appoinment was made and they didn't ring.....

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