Pip assessor

kenny

I was recently assessed at home by Capita, I am a 32year old man, who has cerebral palsy which has left me confined to a wheelchair all of my life.I Have mild to moderate learning disability which means I am unable to read or write. The assessor noted I have some power in my arms so it was decided that with the aids and appliances I could dress myself, prepare meals, take myself to toilet I don't know what these aids and appliances are but these are things I have never been able to do so if there is something out there that can fasten buttons open tins fill kettles etc I would like to know. The assessor was told of my illiteracy but the decision was made that I could read complex subject matter this was because I did a college course, yes I did with a note taker and reader to assist me, also because I was on facebook and used a tablet, yes but someone else is typing this for me and it has to be read to me! I was also told I could manage complex bank accounts, plan and carry out journeys on my own, communicate well although with new people I have a severe stammer! The who!e decision was lies and misrepresentation!

Matilda

Hi @kenny - complaints about assessors' lies and misrepresentation are all too common, unfortunately.  Assessors will do all they can, including lying, in order to minimise the person's disabilities.  My assessor reported that, because I had some power in my arms and used aids, I could perform all the daily tasks adequately - which is a flawed interpretation.  I was awarded standard rate daily living and mobility although my application form indicated enhanced rate both elements.  I am appealing partly on the basis that the assessor did not follow the DWP's own guidelines for assessment.  The relevant document is here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/519119/personal-independence-payment-handbook.pdf

Fortunately, over 60% of appeals are successful.  Tribunals must know by now about the high incidence of lying, half-truths and discrepancies in assessors reports - hence in part the large number of successful appeals.  Undoubtedly, you have very good grounds for appeal.  There is a section on Scope's website about appeals and both the Disability Rights and CAB websites have sections on PIP appeals.  You might also be able to find local face to face help at the CAB or a similar advice provider - the Scope helpline could tell you about advice organisations in your area.

Good luck .

kenny

Thanks Matilda didn't realise it was such a big problem!

Matilda

Absolutely, kenny - it's scandalous.

charmed

Kenny was it a man or woman accessor?

kenny

It was a young woman I have just got a copy of her report she has deliberately minimised my disabilities she lied about how many words I could read to her it is a seriously flawed document

Matilda

Are you going to appeal, kenny?

kenny

Hi Matilda I am waiting for the results of my reconsideration, I must say Matilda the assessor painted a picture of me being able to do everything with aids and appliances and needing no assistance from another person at all, she glossed over any difficulties I have it was complete misrepresentation. What can we do about this and yes if necessary I will appeal but I also want to help others fight

Matilda

I feel the same, kenny, about helping others to fight back against assessors' lies.  I always urge everyone concerned to appeal. Tribunals must be well aware by now of assessors' lies which is in part why so many appeals are successful.  At present, all we can do is appeal and point out the assessors' lies.  Some people have made formal complaints to assessment companies as well.  I haven't complained to Atos myself as asking for mandatory reconsideration and then making an appeal was stressful enough.

My assessor didn't lie as much as many assessors have been reported to have done.  But she did tell one blatant lie which would be laughable if it were not serious.  She stated in her report that she watched me take my bag, which was slung across my body, off and put it down on the floor from where I picked it up when ready to leave.  At no time during the interview, not even during the exercises, did I take my bag off!  DWP repeated this lie in their award decision letter which I refuted in my reconsideration request.  Significantly, DWP did not again repeat this lie in their reconsideration letter.

kenny

Keep in touch and lets hope between us  we can get justice

Matilda

Oh yes, I'll keep this site up to date with my appeal.  However, I don't expect to get a hearing date until June due to heavy backlog of PIP appeals!

kenny

What happened to your reconsideration

Matilda

DWP made no change to their award.  It is unusual for DWP to change a decision after reconsideration but not unknown - two people have recently reported on Scope that their award was increased after reconsideration.

Matilda

kenny, what was your award?

kenny

I got enhanced for mobility but only standard for daily living when it is quite clear I am in the enhanced category

Matilda

Yes, definitely.  Good luck with the reconsideration.

wildlife

Hi Matilda & Kenny, my assessor also lied on her report and I have sent in a reconsideration request but not heard anything. Matilda how long did your reconsideration take? I complained to ATOS by letter. The 1st reply was a refusal to investigate and they tried to pass the buck to DWP. So we (MOH wrote the letter) wrote again threatening to send the 1st letter to the next level of complaints procedure and 2 days later, that's today ATOS rang to say they will be investigating this time but it may take a while as they have a backlog from last year to get through. My MSO results were totally false, some were not even done yet a normal result was recorded and she invented something I didn't do to try and make out I could use both hands with no problems. She also said I was not taking any medication and there was no specialist input for mental health issues. I had given her 6 IAPT reports and have a history going back 40 odd years on my medical history of appointments and treatment which she was supposed to have read and anti-depressants are on my list of medication. I really don't think assessors should get away with telling outright LIES on an official document. Would be interested in how many others this has happened to..  

Matilda

Hi @wildlife

I think my reconsideration took about a month.

Assessors appear to lie more often than not in reports!  There is going to be an investigation by MPs' into Atos's lies.

wildlife

I know Paul Gray MP is collecting case histories and will be presenting his findings in April to the government...

kenny

My reconsideration took about a month I produced rock solid evidence that what the assessor said was wrong, I have found that without evidence you don't stand much chance

karent1966

Hi kenny I have just had to ask for a reconsideration as well as my assessor who saw me at home also lied on her report. I suffer from Fybromyalgia,arthritis , occipital and glossophlarengel Neuralgia and chronic daily migraine. I am confined to the house most days and struggle with everything I do. She didn't type what I was telling her but instead typed what she wanted and was desperately to get the assessment done and kept saying she had to et finished. As I have complex neurological nerve conditions I thought they'd send some one qualified in theses conditions to assess me but no they sent someone desperate to get home. Disgusting that these people can lie and make ill people feel worse then they already do. She referred to my husband and daughter as aids when they help me get in and out of the bath and aids for getting dressed. I thought an aid was a stick or frame not a person . If it wasn't for my husband lifting me up I wouldn't get out the bath. I can't put my socks or shoes on or do my buttons up. My son cooks as I. Any lift things and I take so many medications I can't remember my name some days. I had a call to say they were re looking at it as I had written to the Minister for disabled people as her to explain how assessors could lie and how I could be turned down when I clearly had several conditions that caused me a lot of problems.That was two weeks ago I put my reconsideration request in around 5 weeks ago was told that I would be contacted when it had been looked at but that there was a waiting list for this . Not holding my breath about getting it over turned think I will need to appeal .