Assessment bringing someone along

Defectors

Hello everyone and great discussion site, I am due to attend an HA, I was wondering about bringing someone with me as I don't know many people, are there services that you can arrange to bring someone on an HA?

poppy123456

starman2022 said:

According to the new rules on ESA assessmments I believe you can take someone to support you.

It doesen't say whether it's a work capability assessment or PIP. Either way, yes you can take someone with you. Not sure what you mean by "new rules" there's never been a problem taking someone with you.

starman2022 said:

The problem is you will find it difficult getting an independant support for this because the support for this has been decimated by the Government over the past decade, Welfare Rights organosations may help, but I doubt it!

You can take anyone with you, it doesn't have to be someone from an advice centre.

starman2022 said:

If you are severely disabled you can request assessment in your home!

Home assessments haven't started back up yet and most are done either by telephone or at an advice centre.

starman2022 said:

Best way to attand a HA is to arrive in a wheelchair and with a carer. Allow your carer to register your arrival at least then you are in the game on a level playing field.

That is very poor advice. There are people that claim either of those benefits for mental health reasons, so why would you arrive in a wheelchair.

Even those with physical conditions, if you don't usually use a wheelchair then why would you use one for an assessment. This can be seen as benefit fraud.

starman2022 said:

 AND IT IS A GAME TO HA! the game is to deny you your rightful benefits.

Again, that's poor advice. It's not a "game" The majority of people claim PIP with no problems. Likewise for the work capability assessment. You will of course mostly only hear the bad stories.

starman2022 said:

New rules also allow you to record your interview! DO IT because once the interview is over: the assessor will only assess your claim from their notes! and notes can be discriminatory given the pressure of the HA to reduce your benefit and increase your work capability.

They are not new rules. It's always been possible to record your assessment but you need to tell them before recording. You must also produce to identical copies and hand one in at the end of the assessment. Using a phone to record the assessment is not allowed. You must use the appropriate equipment.

The assessment providers can't reduce any benefits because they don't make decisions, only a decision maker from DWP can do this.

calcotti

poppy123456 said:  It's always been possible to record your assessment but you need to tell them before recording. You must also produce to identical copies and hand one in at the end of the assessment. Using a phone to record the assessment is not allowed. You must use the appropriate equipment. 

There is, a small I understand it, no longer a requirement to provide a copy and I think a phone can be used.
See
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-1-the-assessment-process
See 1.6.58 to 1.6.64
Tue expectation however is clearly that a claimant makes a prior request and the assessor then arranges for the recording Tom be made.
Above comments refer to PIP. I’m not aware of revised guidance for WCAs.

poppy123456

Thanks calcotti.

calcotti

starman2022 said:

.. the new rules apply to recording and video recording your assessment

Although there was talk of trialling video recording, currently video recording is explicitly excluded and not permitted as identified in the guidance i have already referenced.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-1-the-assessment-process
(last updated in January 2022)

1.6.62 Video recording of consultations is not permitted. This is to ensure the safety and privacy of staff and other claimants.

starman2022 said:

Of course its a game! if you have difficulties with your mobility : for example walking 20m then walking 20 metres from the car park to the assessment room would prove disqualification even if you are in pain doing it! 

It may be used to justify an assessor's opinion but would prove nothing because it is single snapshot and doesn't evidence what happens on the majority of days.

The general point about observation of the claimant begins from the moment they arrive is sound but you undermine your point by over sensationalising the argument. The general advice not to put a brave face on is absolutely sound but taht doesn't mean one needs to ver egg it in the other direction.

janer1967

@starman2022 I appreciate what you have been through however that is your personal experience and a biased opinion 

Most people come to Internet forums as they have had challenges claiming benefits , if they didn't they tend not to be vocal about their claims but many people claim successfully first time and to suggest otherwise could be detrimental and put other members off applying 

It's fine to share your experiences but don't 0resume those that comment haven't been through their own battles or know nothing about the system 

The members that give regular advice here are also benefit claimants and have extensive knowledge of the process and dwp through experience and research 

I had to go to tribunal for my work capability award so been there done that 

MarkM88

@starman2022 no need for personal attacks. I’ve reported the comment. Not needed! 

Plus more inaccurate information regarding assessors been sanctioned. 

MarkM88

starman2022 said:

On reply to this person MarkM88 took offense for what I am unsure since I made an observation and suggestion which MarkM88 looks like he took literally. 

You personally attacked Jane. That is unacceptable.