Confused telephone consultation pip

daisy80

Hi there I am hard of hearing and was told a few weeks ago that my home visit would now be paper based or by phone because of the virus etc. I can't use the phone because of my hearing issues and I sent in the relevant proof to pip and the assessment service from hospital. I also suffer with multiple mental health conditions. They said they are only offering tel assessments and no paper based ones are being done. They told me that if I don't have a tel assessment I won't be complying and my claim will be sent back to dwp and be withdrawn. I've already been waiting several months. They said they have no guidance in place for deaf or hard of hearing people and I was told to put the assessor on loud speaker?! And if I can't manage they will see what they can do. Surely that's discrimination and they have to make allowances? She told me all the assessors will be just doing tel assessments and no paper reviews are being done at present. This has changed from 2 weeks ago. Im so stressed out and I've had 2 bereavements in the last 6 week's to. Please help. 

pollyanna1052

This MUST be disability discrimination. How can a deaf person deal with a phonecall?
I`m sure someone with good advice will be along in a minute or two..Grrrr
Pollsx

daisy80

It's so frustrating my psychiatrist said a face to face one would be detrimental to my health and they wouldn't budge and eventually offered me a home visit even though that's still face to face. The first person said no and then the next person could change it so mixed messages. I was fed up of complaining so took it and now all this! I'm at my wits end honestly. They did my uc assessment by paper and it was done and dusted with a decn in 3 weeks. 

Abdi_Scope

Hi @daisy80 -  I can totally understand why you are feeling so stressed at this time, as a BSL user myself I feel your frustration. I am sorry you are having to face this at the moment.
You could contact Action on Hearing Loss -  who may be able to offer guidance and also @Joanne_Scope . Also I think you might find it useful to read my long-post - https://community.scope.org.uk/discussion/70250/a-deaf-perspective-during-the-pandemic#latest

woodbine

Might be an idea to email your MP and see if he/she can help?
this should help you find them
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mps/