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Complaint to IAS upheld

Trish2021

I had a PIP phone assessment earlier this year and on receiving a copy of the report found I had been awarded only 2 points.

The report contained many inaccuracies and the Assessor had trivialised both my physical and mental disabilities, as well as disregarding the accompanying medical evidence.

I suffer from Erythromelalgia (a rare neuropathic disorder), severe anxiety and agoraphobia.

I was sent a complaint package by IAS and filled this in (8 pages outlining how limited my daily activities actually are, etc) along with evidence from hospital specialists.

IAS contacted me to say my complaint had been reviewed by a CMRA senior clinician, who concluded there were quality issues with both daily living and mobility sections.

As result of this IAS sent a PA6 (Change of Advice form) to DWP, which awarded me with over 20 points.

The DWP has now said they are looking at my claim again and will reach a decision within 10 weeks.

Has anyone else had experience of this? And how likely is a positive outcome?

Does it matter that I used complaint procedure before doing a Mandatory Reconsideration?
It is my first time applying for PIP so I am not very well versed with how it all works.

I have lost sleep over this and been extremely stressed since the beginning of this process, so any advice would be much appreciated.

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Comments

Trish2021

@Username_removed Thank you for your feedback.

I am just worried that the DWP will disregard the amended IAS report and stick with the original assessment instead - hence forcing me to go via MR/tribunal route, to buy themselves time & discourage me from pursuing further.

Am hoping someone has been in a similar situation as myself and had a successful outcome,

Trish2021

Of course DWP have a vested interest, they are the ones making the payments.

I don’t appreciate my comments dismissed as “just nonsense” when they are perfectly justified. I witnessed my cousin battle DWP for 18 months despite severe debilitating disease requiring a wheelchair and crutches (they even used CCTV recordings to try to catch her out, and failed).

I have heard of many cases where severely ill claimants are rejected & forced to jump through hoops causing stress & anxiety, via long winded MR and tribunal route, only to end up with the award they were entitled to in the first place.

So forgive me for being sceptical about DWP’s actions towards disabled people. And judging by the high percentage of claims they reject every year leading to MR/appeals I highly doubt they give a hoot about stats against them re: quality of their decision making.

Trish2021

I stand by my statement that DWP have created an extremely complicated system purely to deny as many claimants as possible.
They pay ATOS to carry out assessments in which they lie/misquote claimants or withhold important evidence, leading to unnecessary stress and anxiety.

There are plenty of examples not only on this forum but in media where assessment reports have turned out to be works of pure fabrication.

The govt does not look favourably on high number of ppl on benefits hence the continued efforts by DWP to sanction claimants & refuse awards.
I won’t debate this further so we’ll have to agree to disagree