Help with Capita and PIP

jamesG93

Hi, I just needed some help with capita and pip. So I had an telephone assesment booked for the 5th of this month I was told the person doing it was ill they called me at 9.05 as my telephone assesment was at 9.15, anyway they said the person was ill and that it would be rescheduled. Someone rang me back telling me the 19th two weeks later I have ADHD, depression, anxiety, other health issues it doesn't help at all, I did get angry and spoke with the manager I wasn't happy with two weeks later. It got rescheduled for three days later but I had to argue with the manager to get it sooner. I finally had it on the 8th at 9.15 my sister was in on the call with me. It all went fine the assessor was concerned about my mental health he even called my doctors and a nurse rang me, anyway that was a so much was talked about during it all about this and that he said at the end sorry if it had all stressed me he had what he needed and he would get it sent of to the DWP. I left it until the Tuesday the next week and received no text about the DWP receiving it I rang them the same thing they said there was nothing from capita. I then had a phone call later that day about 3 from the same assessor at capita he was said the call was to ask me further questions in more detail or would take 15 minutes I wasn't comfortable and got defensive he didn't lie it that I asked for it being the next day I can't do unexpected things like that my ADHD says no he was quite pushy with it I thought it was weird anyway I sorted it for the next day when my sister would be there I went to hers in the end it was at 3 p.m scheduled on the 15th. That night I did some research and found out they do it when it's mainly for an audit more than anything to save there own skin through not doing the report properly I had a suspicion it was for that. So the 3 p.m call came and I asked him at the start was it for an audit because it would take longer he said it wasn't and I believed him I did the questions he asked he apologised again and said it was all done and it would be 6-8 weeks I was like ok but I thought that's when it's gone to pip mate after I had found it had it gone for audit that's another three weeks or longer he messed me about and lied about it, after that phone call I then waited again and called capita on Monday to see why the DWP hasn't contacted me the lady told me my assesment was still being reviewed so I did kick off and said you are a liar and that it was gone for audit as jack said it was already sent which it was I asked to speak to the manager after I had demanded it when I was angry I'm still angry and upset now I've felt suicidal for the past weeks. The manager confirmed it had gone for audit the fact that the assessor jack lied about it all did me in and kicked with the manager nothing I could would change it and I knew it, it sent my ADHD into rage mode. It didn't end well with the phonecall it's all depressed me I left it all bad they've not contacted me since. I did say to the manager that I did ask jack the assessor if it was for audit he didn't want to know I just find it all a joke I can't get over it tbh I've supplied so much. Evidence and all they've done is mess me about I didn't know where to come with about this I hope people can help me, I was going to call capita tommorow but it's going to send me into rage I know it will, this has been going on since 03/07/2024 which was my claim date I just looked. I'm so agitated I did want my pa4 but I'm scared now of what's going to happend if they ask me after this audit for a second phonecall I'm going to flip and I know it I don't want to seem desperate but I've been fighting the NHS for help the past 5 years since I've not been well. If people didn't kneed the money because we're not well we wouldn't apply all this messing about it's sending my mental health of the rails and it's affecting my life alot. I appreciate the help if anyone can please I feel very lost at the moment I feel like it won't even be until October I get my result and if I get denied it I dotn now what it's going to do me I'm already in lcwra group they know I'm not well.

Thanks for the help.

Thankyou

James G

poppy123456

When the assessor rang you back it probably wasn't in an audit at that time, he was likely writing the report and needed a few more details to finish it and return it. Once it was finished, it would be then, that it was chosen for audit. The assessor wouldn't have known it would have been chosen for audit because this is done at random.

There's no timescales how long it will remain in the audit. Once it's completed, it will be returned to DWP. From there the decision can take up to 12 weeks.

I totally understand how stressful the whole process is as I've been through many of those assessments myself.

In all honesty, if you didn't start your claim until 7th July, then it's been pretty fast up to now. Usually it's up to about 6 months, sometimes longer from applying to having a decision and you're well within that timescale.

As for asking for the PA4 (assessment report) this isn't always a good idea because the majority of the time it will cause even more anxiety that you already have, even if the report is in your favour. For this reason it's often better to wait for that decision to be made.

If you do request it then please remember, it's not the decision, it's a recommendation only. Whilst they mostly go with the report, it has been known for them to go against it. Once the decision is made you will be contacted.

jamesG93

Thankyou, I think he did know because he said my assesment was done and it was sent the next thing he's Asking more questions and it's gone to audit the manager knew about it because it was straight out there hands into the auditors within a couple of days and I only wanted the pa4 so I can change some stuff if they've lied about it and yes it kind may have been quick but all this time waiting for money it'll be 4 months probably just seems alot to get what you need.

jamesG93

As I said the assessor said it was finished left it three days to ring me and then ask more questions and I did ask is it going for audit I can assure it's not few days later it's in audit dunno what Im missing with it all and why when. Could have gone back through the phonecall we had previously where it was all discussed. Yeah it's been short by the end it all 4 months and that's it If I pass all this has been for nothing.

jamesG93

Seriously this whole time scale is a joke such a fight for something it's not rite leaving people in the lurch? It's really tearing me down when people can't answer how long it's all gunna be it's been three months already and nothing.

poppy123456

Yes, I know the assessor told you it was finished but they do not know a report will be chosen for audit ahead of that time.

Yes, it's a long process and everyone has to go through the same thing when they claim. Timescales are only ever a guide so no one can tell you exactly how long something will take.

jamesG93

Thats just gets me as to why you need more information when you can go back through the phone call with it all on there I don't know he seemed quite pushy with the questions aswell, I honestly have a git feeling he new or why don't they call people to let the know I'm probably just going to cancel it all I can't be arsed anymore it's not doing my mental health anymore good because I'm just raging all the time.

jamesG93

I find it weird saying you've sent it and the next week asking me more questions it's just says to me that someone has said it wasn't done rite and then boom it's off for audit seems very coincidental and it's dragging my brain I dotn need the money in three months I'm suffering now I don't care about back pay or any of that I've really had enough.

jamesG93

This could take how long and the. I have to wait for the dwp tbh I don't even know I'm gunna make to end of the week I'm that depressed and can't do it anymore wish I never even bothered

poppy123456

The assessment isn't automatically recorded so he couldn't go back through the call as you suggested. Sometimes after the assessment they may ring if they have further questions to ask, I've heard that happen many times.

You won't be able to cancel the claim at this stage unfortunately. You're at the last hurdle now anyway and you just need to wait for that decision to be made.

Fingers crossed the outcome will be a good one and then you can relax a little more. In the meantime do you have something you can do that will distract you from thinking about it? Do you have any hobbies or anything like that?

jamesG93

I thought they were all recorded but I don't know, I mean I don't get how the dude said he was sending it that day and left it until the next week to ask me more questions and then it going to audit I just have it as suspicious in my head, I think if someone had rang me I would have been abit better with coping with it but I just feel lied too. I do have hobbies but can't do much as what I used due to my health not being as good. I read that apparently the auditor can change you're points from what the assessor has put down it all sounds bad that this has happened none of it's actually good because the auditor can't listen to any phone calls as you stated and wasn't the person who spoke to me or is really that involved I don't think that's fair and then to may do a MR if it's under 12 points in total to pass then I don't know. I actually received a letter from the hospital to Addenbrookes explaining what was wrong and why I'd been passed to them as nothing else was working it is detailed I could use it but it's annoying to have fight a MR, I've supplied so much evidence and had help with doing all the forms and having my sister there in the assesors calls all of them to have a rough ride it's depressing doesn't seem to go away try and stay busy in my mind but not much helps.

Adrian_Scope

Hi @jamesG93,

I’m really sorry to hear about the tough time you’re having with your PIP assessment. It sounds incredibly frustrating, especially with how it’s affecting your mental health.

It’s great that your sister was there for the assessment—having support really helps. It’s also good that the assessor took your mental health seriously, but I can understand why you’re so upset with how things have gone since then.

If you'd like to talk about your claim and get some extra support, you could always call our helpline 0808 800 3333

Take care, and I hope things start to get better soon.

Robbo76

I applied mid June and still not heard about an assessment so it sounds like it was dealt with very quickly

Jimm_Scope

Hey @Robbo76, welcome to the community 😊 It could be that you and james are in different regions of the country. The UK is split into several geographic regions and then all assessments in each area are handled by a contracted company. Some companies take multiple regions, so there can be quite a difference in waiting times across the different regions.

Robbo76

Thank you, I’m in West Yorkshire. Finding this whole process really distressing. I have severe anxiety disorder, which affects my communicating with people so absolutely dreading the assessment. I also have COPD and osteoarthritis, First time applying for pip

Robbo76

Sorry also have OCD, this is all new to me, and the not knowing is really getting to me.

jamesG93

Yeah you applied in mid June bud I applied at the start April, the claim went from June after sending they're stuff taking time and the only update I have is it is back from audit and going through finals checks but I'm not ok because I would like pa4 and won't get it till end of next week I don't know what's the point when not long after I'll probably know it's all been sending me, and I feel the same robbo I suffer ADHD, anxiety depressions PTSD from foster care the list goes on I've never really felt mentally stable. I am in Peterborough Robbo I'm not too sure how it works for you you're end it's been depressing mate probably stuff racking you're brain like it is mine. My main problem is waiting and my ADHD telling my brain different it doesn't mix well at all and I currently don't have any meds or anything because it's a 5 year waiting list for adults.

Thank you moderators for you're help do appreciate it just want it all over with now kinda makes me regret even trying for pip.

Robbo76

Yes I hear you, horrible process! Hope you have good news soon

Amaya_Ringo

I haven't any useful advice to add, but just to say that I understand how unsettling it is when you're neurodivergent to have misinformation and then to have an unresolved situation. Unfortunately it can be hard to break the chain of worry when your brain does not have a final or satisfactory answer to an issue. ND brains struggle to switch off situations and distract onto something else, so the long waiting times without information are ultimately tortuous to deal with. It can be hard to explain that to the predominately NT people carrying out the assessment process :/

When I was doing my claim - which took some time to resolve - I was studying and teaching and it was very hard to stay on track and balance everything with the stress. I learned to just not be too hard on myself if I needed a time out. All you can do is try and take the best care of yourself day by day and hope the answer comes sooner rather than later.

Wishing both OP and Robbo the best with their claims.

Robbo76

Thank you for your kind words

jamesG93

Some good news today, it has been sent electronically to the DWP so in the decision making part I haven't received a text just been told that it was sent today from the manager at capita. Feels better knowing it's gone from them to the end part was a nightmare. I'm not to sure how long the session making part is but I think it's 12 weeks?