Two cancelled telephone assessments - no capacity to audio-record it

CMB2

Hi all,

I received a phone call on Friday afternoon (19/8/22) to advise me that my work capability telephone assessment (WCA) scheduled today (22/8/22) had been cancelled and will be rescheduled.  This is the second time my assessment has been cancelled this month - I was advised each time that there was no capacity to audio-record the assessment on my scheduled appointment date. 

I was wondering if the rescheduling of telephone appointments more than one time is common when the reason given is the claimant's request to record the assessment. Is it unusual to record telephone assessments? Has anyone here had a telephone assessment recorded or know someone who has?

Thanks in advance!

poppy123456

Before a recording can take place the assessor that’s doing the assessment must agree to be recorded. Some will not agree and if this happens they will cancel the assessment if they can’t find someone that’s available for that recorded assessment. 

Are you aware that you can’t actually use the recording at MR or Tribunal stage unless it’s professionally transcribed? 

In my opinion it’s much better to concentrate on preparing for the assessment than it is to have it recorded. 

I’ve had a few work capability assessments in the past and have never recorded either of them. 

CMB2

poppy123456 said:

Before a recording can take place the assessor that’s doing the assessment must agree to be recorded. Some will not agree and if this happens they will cancel the assessment if they can’t find someone that’s available for that recorded assessment. 

Are you aware that you can’t actually use the recording at MR or Tribunal stage unless it’s professionally transcribed? 

In my opinion it’s much better to concentrate on preparing for the assessment than it is to have it recorded. 

I’ve had a few work capability assessments in the past and have never recorded either of them. 

Thanks very much for your input.

I would like the assessment to be recorded because I have read from numerous online accounts that it is common for assessors to lie about what the claimant said/ didn't say. I also feel that the kind of assessor who objects to the call being recorded is more likely to omit important information on their report/ be untruthful about what was said. Finally, I always like to have some kind paper trail and/ or audio recording for any important message/ meeting, especially when dealing with the DWP. 

I am aware that I would need the audio recording to be transcribed and am prepared to get this done if needed for a MR or Tribunal. Thanks again for the information.

poppy123456

One of the worst things you can do before any such assessment is to go online reading all the negative stories. Usually those that have had a decision they are happy with have no questions to ask, so we don't hear their story. For this reason yes, you will mostly only read the bad stories.

Lots of people are found to have LCWRA without any issues at all.

It's also worth remembering that during the assessment it's not their job to write down what you siad verbatim, if this was the case then there would be no point in having the assessments. The assessment is for them to gather more evidence to support your claim. Once the assessment is complete they write the report, which is based on thier opinion of everything you sent and what you said during the assessment.

If the worst happens and you are found fit for work and it does get to Tribunal stage then concentrating on the assessment report and the recording isn't going to get you found to have LCWRA. It's always better to concentrate on your evidence and the reasons why you think you should qualify for LCWRA.

The paper trail you speak of comes from the assessment report and all the evidence you sent.

CMB2

poppy123456 said:

If the worst happens and you are found fit for work and it does get to Tribunal stage then concentrating on the assessment report and the recording isn't going to get you found to have LCWRA. It's always better to concentrate on your evidence and the reasons why you think you should qualify for LCWRA.

If the worst happens, I will be sure to focus on the evidence and reasons I think I qualify for LCWRA - thanks for this advice. However, I prefer to have the recording as well - it can't hurt to have it. 

L_Volunteer

You are welcome @CMB2. It is the very least you deserve. If we can do anything else to support you, please don't hesitate to let us know. We are all here for you