What is the point in sending in plenty of evidence if they don't even read it ??

charlie2017

I had an assessment in august and despite being told by many that the more evidence you send in the better (I sent a lot of different evidence -managers letters, prescription lists, diaries, nurse letters, consultants letters) the first thing the assessor said was "I haven't had time to read through all your evidence as there is too much of it". I got awarded standard for daily living but looking at the points I scored there are some I feel I should have got and didn't. What is the point in sending in plenty of evidence if they don't even read it ??

CockneyRebel

Hi charlie

It is important to send in as much relevant evidence as possible. The reason being that first evidence is considered the most reliable ( if you have been able to obtain it in the time frame). If you do end up at appeal the panel can see that all the evidence was there at the start.

It is not the ammount of evidence that is the problem, it is how it is read or, as you have found out, not read.  With any claim, you should try and make it "idiot proof". Reference each descriptor to page and paragraph of your evidence, literally lead the reader to the right place for the information.

I know it is frustrating that we have to do their job for them, but, try and look at it from the other side. As an assessor you have maybe  8 - 10 cases per day. Can you physically read the equivalent of "War and Peace" in every case ? would you apprieciate an index to skip to the good parts ?.

I am not defending the system, it is flawed. I am not defending bad assessors, they should be reported. Dodgy reports should be challenged and no, I don't work for them. 

It is a stressful process for all of us because it is messing with our lives, but in some cases we can help ourselves by helping them.

CR
  

charlie2017

Yes I agree. Makes sense that if we've been seen to have done what we're supposed to have done that it has to look favourably on us especially if they haven't done their jobs properly, and I guess idiot proofing is what they need, thanks