Rearranging WCA assessment?

Orangemoon12

Hello all, I've been waiting just shy of 3 months to hear back for an assessment after sending my questionnaire back, I'm still waiting (south east region) now I've had the opportunity to go away for a week in mid January with some family members, sods law ill get summoned to the assessment during my planned time away, I've read you can rearrange an assessment once, my question is how long can I delay and is going on a holiday an acceptable reason to ask for a new date?

(I recall the form asked 'Is there any dates I can't make within the next 3 months' now 3 months has eclipsed) has anyone had any experience in changing an original date?

Thank you.

poppy123456

Yes, you can rearrange one appointment. As you're only going away for 1 week then that timescale will be fine to arrange it for when you're home.

You should receive a letter if an assessment is needed so you can just ring the number on the letter. Yes, i've rearraned as assessment quite a few times in the past. Many members here have also done the same.

Orangemoon12

poppy123456 said:

Yes, you can rearrange one appointment. As you're only going away for 1 week then that timescale will be fine to arrange it for when you're home.

You should receive a letter if an assessment is needed so you can just ring the number on the letter. Yes, i've rearraned as assessment quite a few times in the past. Many members here have also done the same.

That's great to know, I've been so anxious about when this appointment will be set, feel like I've put everything on hold untill and it's just dragging on, eveytime the post arrives pondering if I can commit to anything without fear of the letter arriving (feels somewhat cruel) anyway I'll let them know as soon as it arrives if I've committed to not being available.

Thank you for your helpful and swift response Poppy 🙂

Orangemoon12

Sorry to bump this...

Received a txt message yesterday morning (22nd) confirming my assessment on 31st, then I received a more detailed letter in the post later that day, I can't do this date as I'm travelling to a family get together (NYE) I've gone to rearrange the appointment this morning (23rd) and the helpline is closed till the 27th only leaving 5 days till the said appointment, I'm now worried they'll say its too short notice? 

Does anyone have experience in changing on short notice like this, will they be difficult as it's been sort of out of my hands to a certain extent, could have changed on the Friday only but it's a manic time of year.

Thank you

poppy123456

There shouldn't be any problems rearranging the appointment, providing you haven't previously cancelled one appointment already.

Jimm_Alumni

As poppy says there should not be an issue with re-arranging the appointment. As long as it's the first time, they don't allow re-arranging the second time. I had to re-arrange mine and when I did they went through available days with me over the phone, not sure if that is normal but I appreciated it as we found a second date that worked.

Orangemoon12

poppy123456 said:

There shouldn't be any problems rearranging the appointment, providing you haven't previously cancelled one appointment already.

Once again thank you Poppy for putting my mind at rest, I'll just explain the combination of slow post this time of year and unusual date as hindered contacting them earlier, hopefully it's not a issue

Orangemoon12

Jimm_Scope said:

As poppy says there should not be an issue with re-arranging the appointment. As long as it's the first time, they don't allow re-arranging the second time. I had to re-arrange mine and when I did they went through available days with me over the phone, not sure if that is normal but I appreciated it as we found a second date that worked.

Thank you Jimm, yes it's my first rearrangement, I considered taking the call in the car while travelling but I think it's a bit much, surprised they are trying to do it on NYE also, added pressure of having family members present isn't helping, I hope they understand and move it easily enough, I'll call first thing Wednesday

poppy123456

It's not unusual for them to do assessments on NYE.

Kimi87

poppy123456 said:

It's not unusual for them to do assessments on NYE.

NYE is indeed not a bank holiday, however it falls on a Sunday this year, I've known of assessments happening on Saturdays but not Sundays. 

poppy123456

Kimmy87 said:

poppy123456 said:

It's not unusual for them to do assessments on NYE.

NYE is indeed not a bank holiday, however it falls on a Sunday this year, I've known of assessments happening on Saturdays but not Sundays. 

Yes i know it's on a Sunday and they have been known to do assessments on Sundays, i've heard of this happening many times.

Orangemoon12

Hello all, I managed to change my telephone interview (31st Dec originally) I said I'm unavailable till the 15th of Jan and available anytime after that ...they said no problem, now I'm just wondering should I expect a long wait for a new one? (original waiting date for the interview was around 4.5 months)

What I'm really asking is should I expect a quick turnaround for a new date or could it potentially be a long wait again? I sort of assumed I'd get one very close to the date I said I'm available from but I've heard nothing and you normally receive a week's notice, feel I've reopened this cycle of anxiety waiting again by changing it 😕 wondered what's people's experience of new appointment dates were?

Thank you

poppy123456

It would be impossible to tell you how long you will need to wait for another assessment date. Once an appointment becomes available you will be contacted.

Orangemoon12

Yes of course, I'd like to think I won't go to the back of the queue but nothing would surprise me tbh, part of me thinks they deliberately like to leave you on edge

Thank you again Poppy.

WhatThe

For my WCA, 11 appointments were booked until I could attend - I was very unwell and they cancelled one appointment. When I eventually received the appeal bundle, it was evident that the decision to find me fit-for-work had been made long before the WCA ever took place. 

As the FFW determination was revised not reversed following my successful appeal at Tribunal, I have not consented to any further reassessment.