pip

Hi all, I’m in absolute bits atm, I’ve had an assessment and, quite frankly, based on the dwp letter which is based on the assessors report, they might just as well have been talking about someone else. The assessor woman has consistently lied and deliberately misreported what I said and did, she said I stood and bent down, reaching halfway down my shins, I didn’t do this exercise as I can’t bend. When I touched my shins I was sitting down, as I have long arms I reached mid shin. She said there was no evidence of swelling, she didn’t look at my legs which are about twice their normal size. She said I can undertake and plan a journey unaided, I specifically told her I can’t do this. She said I needed assistance to get in and out of the bath, I told her I can’t use a bath at all & my husband washes me whilst I sit on a stool in the shower, she made no reference to this stating I used aids to wash! I can’t prepare a meal in the oven, she’s ignored that and said I can. My hip flexion is normal, not tested as I couldn’t get on the bed! My ankle movement are normal, they’re not, I can straighten my knees, she never asked me to do this. I got upset when talking about pain, total lie, I was upset talking about going out on my own and the thought of it upset me, I then spent the rest of the interview in tears although she said I recovered quickly and was laughing and engaging, again a total lie unless she’s referring to the hysterical laughter once we’d finished as I was so relieved. Etc etc. I’m staggered they can get away with this, I had higher rate mobility for 6 years and the same for the care component, I’m worse now than I was at the last assessment oh and to add insult to injury the assessor said I walked 25 metres and the dwp bint has assessed me as being able to walk 50 - 200 metres - based on what I’d like to know. They’re basically calling me a liar. I have already started the ball rolling for mandatory reconsideration. They did the same thing to my sister! Sorry it’s so long but I’m absolutely floored by the whole experience. 

It does not matter that the computer system was down for assessment. They can carry out an assessmnet with paper and crayon if they want to. All of your information is logged into the system which they should access when writing the report normally after the assessment from the notes made at the time. Although the HCP should have read your notes before the assessment, it is still possible to carry out a functionality assessment without prior knowledge, it is not a medical assessment

CR

Hi Justg72, I’m so sorry you’ve experienced the same problems that I have, i.e, your report was basically lies, and it’s apalling that they haven’t taken your supporting evidence into consideration. I’ve just read a very interesting article which was saying that it’s a known fact that the assessors lie on their reports and have been called out by claimants  on many occasions, the vast majority of which have had their initial decisions overturned and their benefits reinstated. I totally get your frustration and, again like you, I have severe depression and, at times, crippling anxiety. Without my car I’m basically confined to the house as I struggle with social situations & can no more use public transport or cabs than I can fly to the moon. It would appear that her report is a tissue of lies and inaccuracies, I’ve asked for a copy and have a doctors appointment to ask for a supporting letter from him. I also have letters from the pain clinic which I shall enclose with my written response to their, quite frankly, ridiculous assessment. How the dwp person, who’s never met me, can come to the decision based on the assessors report that i walked 25 metres (who measured it?) that I can in fact walk 50 to 200 metres is totally beyond me. I think what makes me seethe is that they’re basically calling me a liar. Some days (more often than not) I find it hard to put one foot in front of the other as the pain is so bad. The other thing is her total disregard of anything I said, in fact she’s put the exact opposite, I do wonder what her qualifications are that enable her to make a life changing decision on my case in the space of 45 minutes. I won’t let this rest, it’s totally out of order, lies, lies, and untruths! I will be complaining to the assessors as well as fighting my corner with the dwp, luckily I have a very supportive husband, god knows how people deal with this on their own. Whilst the mandatory reassessment goes ahead I’m able to keep my car for 8 weeks, it’s not long but at least they’re not taking it off me straight away. Motability recently changed their methods of working, it used to be that you could keep your car for three weeks, I find it quite telling that this has been extended to 8, makes you wonder why! Probably because this is happening more often than not and, it would appear, most people win their case. If there’s anything I can do to help please don’t hesitate to ask. Thinking of you and don’t let them win! Keep in touch, much love

Thanks i will do im absolutely fuming but i will fight to the bitter end.