Assessor lied. - Page 2 — Scope | Disability forum
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Assessor lied.

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  • wildlife
    wildlife Community member Posts: 1,293 Pioneering
    @madquasimodo I completely agree, I do have cognitive impairments but can come across in a face to face as not having any. I opened the fridge to put something in the microwave yesterday and often can't remember what I did even seconds ago along with lots of other things my hubby has to remind me about. There's no fridge or microwave in the assessment room. On the other hand I have no problem with the written word mostly because it can be checked and altered at my leisure. I had a really bad car crash in 2003 when the roof of my car caved in and hit my head as the car had somersaulted and was upside down. Apart from age (68) surely an assessor reading about that experience could assume some either physical or mental impairment would result. Which it did. The before and after were very different and I had to give up a job I loved (carer). Assessments are absolutely useless IMHO.   
  • twonker
    twonker Posts: 617 Pioneering
    InShock said:



    I get your point. Really I do , and yes a choice should be given so those who don't want it recorded can opt out but my partner would of preferred to have had it recorded. As it's the errors made by the assessor which have caused them to go from higher rate mobility to 0 points.
    There is no evidence that with a recorded assessment beit audio or visual will make any difference to the outcome of the assessor's report.

    Thinking logically and even with these recordings, I cannot see either the decision maker or a Tribunal routinely having to review the whole footage of approx.1hr before making a decision.
     

  • InShock
    InShock Community member Posts: 15 Connected
    "There is no evidence that with a recorded assessment beit audio or visual will make any difference to the outcome of the assessor's report."

    Just curious...But Is there any evidence that it doesn't make a difference?

    Again, thanks for everyone's comments.
  • twonker
    twonker Posts: 617 Pioneering
    edited April 2019
    InShock said:
    "There is no evidence that with a recorded assessment beit audio or visual will make any difference to the outcome of the assessor's report."

    Just curious...But Is there any evidence that it doesn't make a difference?

    Again, thanks for everyone's comments.
    No idea to be honest. Just that a DWP decision maker and/or a Tribunal will not have the time to listen/watch a 1 hour recording. It just won't happen. The waiting times for a Tribunal are running at over a year in some places - I couldn't imagine what the queue would be if they had to view/listen to the assessment as well.

    The assessor will know that so why would they make any special effort to carry out an assessment fully and in accordance with the DWP Guidelines just because it is being recorded.
  • jackie27
    jackie27 Community member Posts: 18 Connected
    I had my assessment last week I'm deaf no hearing on my left ear and 20%on my right hear I got no point they said I can culminate with the outside 
  • twonker
    twonker Posts: 617 Pioneering
    jackie27 said:
    I had my assessment last week I'm deaf no hearing on my left ear and 20%on my right hear I got no point they said I can culminate with the outside 
    To gain the minimum of 2 points you have to have been assessed as being so deaf in both ears and have to continually wear two hearing aids.
  • InShock
    InShock Community member Posts: 15 Connected
    jackie27 said:
    I had my assessment last week I'm deaf no hearing on my left ear and 20%on my right hear I got no point they said I can culminate with the outside 


    I'm very sorry to hear that. Good Luck if you are taking it to Mandatory Review/Appeal.
  • justg72
    justg72 Community member Posts: 173 Pioneering
    Hi Inshock
    I have come across a former benefits Tribunal Judge called Sir Henry Brooke if you google his name it goes to his blogging page and he writes about all the injustice he has seen over the years he even states that PIP is not fit for purpose and is against how people have been treat. When reading his page I came across a fantastic website type in: https://pipinfo.net
    You are then given different categories you can pick from, so think of your wife, her health problems and disabilities. Pick the categories which relate to your wife. This information can help you with the MR appeal. You can also read people's tribunals and it tells you about the different case laws surrounding PIP. Thanks for wishing me luck because of losing my PIP I am now going to be homeless as the landlord is seeking possession of my home because of rent arrears and I have just been assessed for ESA and have been moved from the support group to WRAG! 
    Looks like another MR and tribunal. My doctors and specialists say I am not fit for work and if I got a job I would be a liability because I have seizures daily and there not under control!
    I have worked all my life up until developing epilepsy and have paid my taxes and insurance and when you end up with ill-health and this prevents you from working, my belief was you are able to claim because of this, however this is not the case and I have lost all faith in this country and the benefits system.
    Have a look at that website as its a really good one with all the information you need to stand up and fight against this corrupt system.
    Good luck with your MR appeal.
  • twonker
    twonker Posts: 617 Pioneering
    edited April 2019
    ilovecats said:

    The only part part of the form that is drop down boxes is the physical assessment and the mental state exam. Everything else is free text typed and there are no ‘pre filled’ questions that the assessors ask, assessments should be tailored to your specific conditions.
    'should' is the operative word!
    In one of my assessments the assessor categorised my mental health as being alert, understanding of what is being said, excellent memory and well able to communicate.
    And there was me holding a copy of a report that the assessor had attached to the PIP2 form carried out by the dementia/memory clinic that consisted of information of the tests carried out resulting in a summarised conclusion.
    Short term memory issues - early onset dementia, traits of Autism, and chronic PTSD.
    It had taken the psychiatric team 2 years or so to come to that conclusion which was dismissed in 5 minutes as not relevant
    And so that was the assessor's opinion as to my mental ability no impediment found.

    After that I let my current award run that was offered to me and didn't bother to re-apply on review.

    As for my psychiatric team I told them at my next meeting that they were all wrong and actually there is nothing wrong with me so says the DWP. Funny though the psychiatrist just sat there with his mouth open and not uttering a word then up I went never to return.
  • InShock
    InShock Community member Posts: 15 Connected
    justg72 said:
    Hi Inshock
    I have come across a former benefits Tribunal Judge called Sir Henry Brooke if you google his name it goes to his blogging page and he writes about all the injustice he has seen over the years he even states that PIP is not fit for purpose and is against how people have been treat. When reading his page I came across a fantastic website type in: https://pipinfo.net
    You are then given different categories you can pick from, so think of your wife, her health problems and disabilities. Pick the categories which relate to your wife. This information can help you with the MR appeal. You can also read people's tribunals and it tells you about the different case laws surrounding PIP. Thanks for wishing me luck because of losing my PIP I am now going to be homeless as the landlord is seeking possession of my home because of rent arrears and I have just been assessed for ESA and have been moved from the support group to WRAG! 
    Looks like another MR and tribunal. My doctors and specialists say I am not fit for work and if I got a job I would be a liability because I have seizures daily and there not under control!
    I have worked all my life up until developing epilepsy and have paid my taxes and insurance and when you end up with ill-health and this prevents you from working, my belief was you are able to claim because of this, however this is not the case and I have lost all faith in this country and the benefits system.
    Have a look at that website as its a really good one with all the information you need to stand up and fight against this corrupt system.
    Good luck with your MR appeal.


    Thank you. I will certainly take a look and it sounds like it will be an interesting and helpful read. It's my husband who is appealing. It's a real shame the hospital and Dr's reports aren't given much consideration when it comes to the PIP assessment.
  • Waylay
    Waylay Community member, Scope Member Posts: 973 Pioneering
    Interestingly, assessors (for ATOS/IAS - not sure about others) only get 10-15 mins to read through your form(s)/evidence before the assessment. Not even close to enough time, in my opinion!!!
    Heard from very recent IAS assessor (quit a few weeks ago) that this is still the case.
  • cristobal
    cristobal Community member Posts: 984 Disability Gamechanger
    @ilovecats - I've posted this before but I'm a firm believer in the "get the assessor on you side" approach whether this is an application for benefits, a job or anything else.

    Much better to select the relevant evidence and keep it brief - the assessor can find the bits that quickly, and you get whatever you've applied for...

    100 medical reports sounds like too much to me...

  • twonker
    twonker Posts: 617 Pioneering
    cristobal said:
    @ilovecats - I've posted this before but I'm a firm believer in the "get the assessor on you side" approach whether this is an application for benefits, a job or anything else.

    Much better to select the relevant evidence and keep it brief - the assessor can find the bits that quickly, and you get whatever you've applied for...

    100 medical reports sounds like too much to me...

    With respect assessors should not be on anyone's side. I would imagine that if the DWP got wind of this they would be creating a stink accusing the assessor's of being biased.
    Assessors/DWP none of them are your friends and as such you should treat them as you would any other complete stranger, but in my case I unfortunately see them as the typical South Essex back street second hand car dealer!! You either love them or hate them.
  • InShock
    InShock Community member Posts: 15 Connected
    ilovecats said:
    Waylay said:
    Interestingly, assessors (for ATOS/IAS - not sure about others) only get 10-15 mins to read through your form(s)/evidence before the assessment. Not even close to enough time, in my opinion!!!
    Heard from very recent IAS assessor (quit a few weeks ago) that this is still the case.
    I can confirm this is still the case. We were not allowed to open any information until the claimant arrived and check in due to DWP. If the claimant has submitted loads of information we have to try and sift through what may be useful before we call the claimant in. Sometimes, I would go and tell the claimant that it’s would take me longer and warn them they would have to wait.

    Once a lady submitted over 100 medical reports (most not useful or relevant) and she insisted that I read them all before she came in. It took me almost 2 hours. She was not happy she had to wait so long. We can’t win! 

    This is meant that everyone else ran an hour behind for their appointments all day.

    Can you confirm "We were not allowed to open any information until the claimant arrived and check in due to DWP" if this is the case for a home visit? or if different rules apply?

    Thank you in advance.
  • wildlife
    wildlife Community member Posts: 1,293 Pioneering
    @ilovecats Thank-you for writing "A lot of times" when mentioning lies. Looks like those of us who've had obvious lies, that are NOT a difference of opinion, written about us on reports are getting the message out there. In this instance the last thing we want to hear is that assessors don't lie ever. Or even don't lie. Will read what the judge has to say. Disabled people should not have to use their strength to fight for justice when they need all the strength they can muster to get through each day in many cases. 
    @twanker I feel for you. Your's is a classic case of assessor done bad. It should not be like this in the 21st century.            
  • InShock
    InShock Community member Posts: 15 Connected
    ilovecats said:
    InShock said:
    ilovecats said:
    Waylay said:
    Interestingly, assessors (for ATOS/IAS - not sure about others) only get 10-15 mins to read through your form(s)/evidence before the assessment. Not even close to enough time, in my opinion!!!
    Heard from very recent IAS assessor (quit a few weeks ago) that this is still the case.
    I can confirm this is still the case. We were not allowed to open any information until the claimant arrived and check in due to DWP. If the claimant has submitted loads of information we have to try and sift through what may be useful before we call the claimant in. Sometimes, I would go and tell the claimant that it’s would take me longer and warn them they would have to wait.

    Once a lady submitted over 100 medical reports (most not useful or relevant) and she insisted that I read them all before she came in. It took me almost 2 hours. She was not happy she had to wait so long. We can’t win! 

    This is meant that everyone else ran an hour behind for their appointments all day.

    Can you confirm "We were not allowed to open any information until the claimant arrived and check in due to DWP" if this is the case for a home visit? or if different rules apply?

    Thank you in advance.
    Different rules apply for a home visit because the cases are allocated in advance. I don’t know how the DWP get around data protection but generally, there are no ‘non attendances’ for home consults but quite a lot of people don’t turn up to the face to face assessments.

    Thank you for answering. It's appreciated.
  • twonker
    twonker Posts: 617 Pioneering
    wildlife said:
    @twanker I feel for you. Your's is a classic case of assessor done bad. It should not be like this in the 21st century.            


    I agree but it really isn't a worry. As far as I am concerned they can write what they want about me, I know different.
    I'm up for a review in May 2020 (12 months before the end date) If they carry on with their pantomime at that time I will tell them to put the claim where the monkey keeps its nuts. I just can't be bothered with the aggravation of it all. 
  • InShock
    InShock Community member Posts: 15 Connected
    Quick update. MR has given 10 points instead of the 0 my partner orignally received. However we are still taking it to appeal as the mobility part still went off of the f2f even though it was incorrect (and we had some proof of this which we did enclose), this whole process has made my partner's health even worse. Personally I will be glad when it's all over.
  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 10,821 Scope online community team
    Hi @InShock, it's great that the MR overturned one part of your claim but I'm sorry to hear they still didn't award mobility. Best of luck with your tribunal. :)
    Community Manager
    Scope
  • InShock
    InShock Community member Posts: 15 Connected
    It didn't go that far even though we were fully prepared for it. The decision has been reversed and my partner has been reinstated to what they were on before. They are very relieved, and so am I. The stress of it all has had it's toll on them.

    Please don't give up if you have been or are in the same situation. Sometimes there is someone along the way who listens, to medical information in front of them and also to the words you have written down.

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