PIP TELEPHONE ASSESSMENT

2

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    For complaints about the HCP then you'll need to have a look on their website for details on how to complain.
  • Silvano
    Silvano Online Community Member Posts: 384 Empowering
    Thanks. Think my file has been returned to dwp by the assessor and I have to re apply from scratch from what the lady who arranges appointments told me yesterday when she phoned. I started applying beginning of March so this is devastating to have tp start again. I cant take anymore, it's making my high blood pressure and migraines and stress anxiety much worse. 
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    Hello @Silvano I'm really sorry to hear about what's been happening, and how distressed it's making you feel. 

    It can be really frustrating when things keep getting changed, and what we expect to happen doesn't. If you would like to complain about the DWP, they explain what they can address here:

    You can contact us about any aspect of the service you’ve received, including:

    • mistakes that have been made
    • unreasonable delays
    • how you’ve been treated
    • not being kept informed

    We will not investigate complaints:

    • about government policy or law
    • that have already been investigated or are currently being investigated by the Independent Case Examiner or the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
    • that are, or have been, subject to legal proceedings, including legal settlements
    You can contact them about PIP using the details below:

    Personal Independence Payment (PIP) complaints

    Telephone: 0800 121 4433
    Textphone: 0800 121 4493
    Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 121 4433
    Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

    British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service
    Watch a video to check if you can use the service.
    Go to the PIP video relay service.
    Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

    The video relay service uses a free plugin. You may need to change the security settings on your device to install this.


    In terms of advisers, I can suggest Turn2Us. I'm afraid I can't guarantee they will have the resources to help you as quickly as you might like, but it's worth looking into. 

    Another thing I can encourage you to explore in terms of emotional support, is perhaps contacting organisations like Samaritans, on 116 123, or SHOUT. You don't have to be a crisis point to chat to someone about how you are feeling, or to have someone just to listen and support you. 

    Let us know if you feel we've missed anything, or feel we can help further, and keep us up to date about how things are going.

    Alex 

  • Silvano
    Silvano Online Community Member Posts: 384 Empowering
    Thank you so much Alex for the information. I'll let you know how it goes 
  • Silvano
    Silvano Online Community Member Posts: 384 Empowering
    Ps. As I didnt record the telephone assessment Ive got no proof is the problem so it's my word against hers. Im feeling very down re it all and desperately need the pip money or I'd not be applying. 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    @Alex_Scope complaints about the assessments need to be done through the health assessment providers and not DWP. The number you've posted there is the PIP helpline phone number.

    Silvano said:
    Thanks. Think my file has been returned to dwp by the assessor and I have to re apply from scratch from what the lady who arranges appointments told me yesterday when she phoned.

    That is likely not going to happen and the person you spoke to shouldn't have given such poor advice. It's totally possible for a decision maker to return your file to the health assessment providers because it's happened to me. Though you will likely be put back into the queue for an assessment but it's better than having to reapply from scratch.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    If it was Independent Assessment Services that did the assessment the details are here. https://www.mypipassessment.co.uk/feedback/
    If it was Capita then the details are here. https://www.capita-pip.co.uk/en/contact-us#Complaint



  • Silvano
    Silvano Online Community Member Posts: 384 Empowering
    If Im put back in the queue for an assessment then that could be another 11 weeks by which time Ill have run out of money and probably be no longer around the way the stress is getting to me. 
  • Silvano
    Silvano Online Community Member Posts: 384 Empowering
    Poppy, yes I agree Id have thought complaints need to be through the assessment providers not dwp. I need some positivity to keep me going each day at the moment as cant take much more stress. Been off ill with physical problems and stress since September but been ill for much longer than that and struggling on in pain. 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Having your file returned the the HCP's will be much better than reapplying because if you're successfully awarded you will only receive money from the date of your 2nd claim.
    It's a very stressfull process for everyone so you're not alone there.
  • Silvano
    Silvano Online Community Member Posts: 384 Empowering
    Thanks Poppy, it was Independent Assessment Services who did the assessment 
  • Silvano
    Silvano Online Community Member Posts: 384 Empowering
    They said returned/written back to dwp but no idea what that means, the appointments lady on the phone who rang yesterday seemed to think that meant my claim has been thrown out/rejected, goodness knows!?! Ill have to keep busy today and try to keep mind off it as its making me iller. Need cheering up. Trying to think positive re it all but very hard
  • Middleton
    Middleton Online Community Member Posts: 263 Empowering
    I realise your assessment will be happening very shortly @silvano, but I just wanted to wish you the best of luck :) Make sure you take your time with answering the questions, and ask them to repeat anything you didn't understand. Have a drink and snack with you, and ensure your phone is charged (or that you're near a charger if you need one!). Be honest, and try to give examples to evidence what you're saying. 

    Let us know how it goes! I hope your diarrhea and migraine ease off later on today.
    I received a random call a few weeks ago, for my award review(sent paperwork in Feb 22) out of the blue call.. And having significant Autism as one of my numerous co morbid issues(all the others are physical issues) i found it hard to articulate with the lady, as she asked me about how the autism effects me, and as i have dissociative issues with explaining my feelings...especially on the spot with no advanced prep, i feel i may have let myself down.. I was so concerned over this that i called atos and they apologized but the report had already been sent to PIP for final decision..

    That random call was the last time i had to represent myself..They know i have autism and just randomly called me. I dont see how that is appropriate, given my condition..  I had explained all of my symptoms both for Autism and Physical conditions...in lengthy  statements(apparently i sent in 99 documents..lol) . So i dont know, why re asked me about my Autism when i had already sent the report in..plus the other question was "did you go onto the Morphine" and "do you drive an automatic car"

    Got a nagging feeling i may be misrepresented in the phone call, as i had no preparation and no warning.
    Last thing! she asked about the morphine because she wanted to know if its helped my condition(which is a totally justified question) but on record, and all documented...None of my meds make me functional..The aspect they assist in is to not end it all...and to have moments of lesser pain etc...so down from a 90-100% to a fluctuation to 75%/..... pockets of lesser pain.. This doesnt make me flow through a day unimpeded...and thats what i think she thought...that you take the Morphine or Riboxcin 750 and youre all well again.,..   

    I replied to your comment because of the suggestion to  "Make sure you take your time with answering the questions, and ask them to repeat anything you didn't understand" end quote...But i had no chance of doing this as i had no letters no text messages saying when i would be called.. and wasnt even told it was an official interview..


  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    edited July 2022
    Silvano said:
    They said returned/written back to dwp but no idea what that means, the appointments lady on the phone who rang yesterday seemed to think that meant my claim has been thrown out/rejected, goodness knows!?!
    They can't just reject a claim because they are not the decision maker. They are the health assessment providers. Yes, they can return a file if a claimant has failed to attend an assessment but you did turn because you spent all that time speaking to a HCP just a few days ago.
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    Thanks for clarifying that @poppy123456 and @Silvano glad I could help, do take a look at those resources for emotional support if you need to, and remember you can use the community for support too. 

    If you'd like to pass the time there's plenty of games in the coffee lounge, and lots of discussions to get involved with if you fancy. It's also okay to take a break away from the screen, and do something relaxing if you'd find that helpful as well :)
  • Silvano
    Silvano Online Community Member Posts: 384 Empowering
    Thank you 
  • Silvano
    Silvano Online Community Member Posts: 384 Empowering
    I've joined the Pip Esa Support Group on Facebook tonight. Thought others might find it helpful too. 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Please be cautious of the advice given on places like that. Very often the advice is shocking. I joined once but left rapidly when I realised I just couldn’t sit there and continue to read all those posts. 
    Definitely not the best place to be when going through a PIP claim. 
  • Silvano
    Silvano Online Community Member Posts: 384 Empowering
    Oh heck, thank you for the warning. What was the matter to make it shocking? My membership is pending so I haven't been able to read posts yet. I will see what its like once Im accepted, can remove myself/leave the group if dreadful 
  • Silvano
    Silvano Online Community Member Posts: 384 Empowering
    Update. I got a txt from Pip this afternoon giving me a telephone assessment appointment for Tue 19 July 1pm. I presume its to finish the assessment from last week, hope its not with that same dreadful woman I had the hour and three quarters with!! 😥 I best phone and ask who its with, might be a complete new assessment from the start with different assessor hopefully as cant stand any further interaction with that woman