have the PIP Assessment Recording guidelines changed?

Hi and thank you for your response, I have delayed processing and working memory issues to name but 2 of my problems. I also struggle with being able to engage with other people, therefore I don't always get the chance to say what I want to say during an assessment. I already had the assessment, so that bird has flown the coop, but, as I expected I did not get the opportunity to ask - I was completely overwhelmed from even before I answered the call. I was struggling with an internal meltdown (Audhd here) and therefore I did not get the opportunity to request a recording at the time, but I had wanted my own recording so that I could review and process it afterwards.

The assessment was - what can only be described as a bunch of well fed elephants on laxitives… So the recording I made was for my disabilities and only for myself.

Now, I made an official complaint to the Assessment company who have gotten back to me citing that there is no evidence therefore theres nothing we can do and its your word against theres and that I should have done x y and z like every other neurotypical person would. I can't be that neurotypical, nor should I have to be.

so I had known that it was okay to record covertly as long as the recording was not shared or distributed and was only for personal use. This is what seems to have changed and is missing from the government website.

So the only proof of that assessment is my personal recording.. and that is the only proof to back up what I have said.

dilemna: I can't escalate my complaint without the recording, which means they get away with it and can continue doing that to people without consequence… But I am done with the way they operate, their systemic failures which have left me in misery and without support for the best part of my life. I am DONE with the abelism and even in their response to my coplaint - it contained more abelism. I am not angry - I am determined and so farled off I do not want to let this drop…

I cannot afford a lawyer or the stress of that, so it seems I am stuck like an insect on glue paper!

I will continue looking into it, but may just email them directly to see what they say. Thank you, but I have a very high sense of justice and I am not just doing this for me, that sense of justice I carry outweighs many of my problems. I just feel that we need more humanity in the word human these days. it seems to be lacking..

hehe enjoy!

I have just sent an email to my MP for clarification so we will see what he says, the letter from the DWP was in 2023 so its possible it may still be applicable but "hidden". I have also mentioned my complaint and denial of benefits - based on -how- my disabilities affect me and that my first complaint was met with more ableism, so we will see what he says to that as well. :) I will let you know how I get on, although I am frustrated I had to simply call the PIP process a circus and not be able to use the words I would like to.. go me on the, restraint department there haha

@Rachel_Scope update :D so I have escalated my complaint and they have asked for the recording, I included a couple of transcripted pieces in there as well and sent the recording of.

This is so tragic its hilarious though. So in my complaint escalation I put in 3 paragraphs 2 in the main body of the letter citing that I had made this recording myself for personal reasons due to executive/working memory challenges and slow processing and quoted the equality act as being a fair and reasonable accomodation for me. and a final paragraph/annotation in the transcript evidence I sent explaining that I don't understand cues as to when its my turn to speak etc meaning that I failed to find or understand the appropriate place in the initial opening conversation as to when to do this.

I also went on to point out and reiterate my reason for -not- being ABLE to ask for the assessment to be recorded by them and also that in all previous assessments that I had had this done.

their response 🙈 no lie!

I note you have mentioned that you audio recorded your PIP assessment. I have checked our records and I can confirm your assessment was not audio recorded by Capita.

erm yeah how many times did I tell them that?? really - whut! no cookies for them! 🤣😂

its totally incompetent - I mean a rabid squirrel in a peanut factory would have more intelligence.. lol

No response yet I am assuming they will take the full length of time they can to respond to me as I have made it very clear that I am not prepared to accept more the abelist cowpatty that they gave me the first time round. The response to my first complaint was FULL of abelism and literally required me to be neurotypical. I am standing my ground now and not accepting anything less than an appropriate response from them.

Failure will mean escalation to the DWP and ICE if necessary and I will be putting in a complaint about the assessor to whereever it is she works - so unprofessional. However (and I am not making excuses here) a Midwife assessing someone with ADHD/Autism… whut! thats madder than a box of frogs on a barbeque! 🐿️🐸🙈