Pip assessment, sorry no appointments!! Is this right?

singlehouseholder

Hello all. Brief history. Horse reared up and over, splattered me 19th June, 8hour operation on burst fracture, instrumental fusion l1-l5. 5 fractured ribs 2 in 2 places, punctured lungs. So months in hospital learning to cope with paraplegia - t12 incomplete, and now i am home. Submitted pip claim , recd by atos 19th sept, advised by social worker to ring atos every week, every week it's been with their, "health professional." Rang today and lo and behold I need to go for a medical but guess what , they have no appointments and I have to ring every Wednesday on the off chance of a cancellation!! Wth is going on, this is a complete farce! I've gone down to half pay now and I am using gas like there is no tomorrow, being in a wheelchair I'm constantly freezing, can't layer up because the layers don't work when all you can do is sit.
Has anyone else experienced this palaver with pip, I'm in the north east btw. Oh and I was advised by a spinal injuries charity that I could involve a local mp but that atos may look less favourably on my claim.
Alcohol free mulled wine for reading :j

jacques_chirac

PIP applications are taking many months at the moment, with delays by both ATOS and the DWP. Getting your MP involved may allow you to jump the queue, but that would be at the expense of someone that has been waiting longer than you.

Have you checked if you are entitled to any other benefits?

Finefoot

Have you tried contacting an advocate to see if there may be some assistance form a spinal injuries charity?

Tofudragon

I am experiencing similar delays like yourself. I opened started my claim late June, rung them in Sept and found out that they received and opened my form letter on 17th July and was told it had been forwarded to Capita.

Didn't hear anything for another 7 weeks ring again and was told by DWP to chase up Capita, which I did and they said I should have received a letter about a home assessment - I didn't guessing that was rubbish to assume it was lost in the post. Managed to get a home visit assessment appointment in two weeks, had that assessment two weeks ago now. I did ask my assessor about what happens next and time limits - they are obviously watching their backs about giving time frames and all I got was she can't say but it'll be probably be after Xmas before I hear my result but if I have heard nothing in a months time since the interview to give them a call as I have been waiting a while.

The delays are ridiculous and I can't see it getting better for a long time, you just have to keep pestering them for an appointment but then again even after that it sounds like a couple of months wait for a decision. Surely they could book you in for one even if it's a while off? Have you asked how far in advance the appointments diary goes?

dialysis

I feel for you same problem here I am afraid telephone to claim 10th September, end of October no assessment given so I emailed my MP and low and behold got a letter three days after he wrote for me with assessment for 4th November. Report sent to DWP on 3rd December and now been told it could be 4 to 6 weeks before I get a decision. So total wait time over 4 months. Ridiculous when we are ill and the whole situation just makes me more ill. I have wrote an official complaint and my MP has wrote again to the DWP media next call :mad:

singlehouseholder

jacques_chirac wrote: »

PIP applications are taking many months at the moment, with delays by both ATOS and the DWP. Getting your MP involved may allow you to jump the queue, but that would be at the expense of someone that has been waiting longer than you.

Have you checked if you are entitled to any other benefits?

I have two p/t jobs, one now down to half pay. Just put a claim in for ESA too. I couldn't even get any help with home adaptions because myself and my partner work. It's disgusting.

singlehouseholder

Finefoot wrote: »

Have you tried contacting an advocate to see if there may be some assistance form a spinal injuries charity?

I haven't looked into it, I know there will be people worse off than me , so probably more deserving......

singlehouseholder

Tofu dragon, the woman on the phone wasn't prepared to enter into any discussion, I've already submitted a formal complaint about the way I was spoken to by one of their call takers, this is probably on my notes so they won't want any call with me to linger, when I ring back next week, as advised, I'll be asking how far in advance their diaries are booked up. What a shambles.

singlehouseholder

dialysis wrote: »

I feel for you same problem here I am afraid telephone to claim 10th September, end of October no assessment given so I emailed my MP and low and behold got a letter three days after he wrote for me with assessment for 4th November. Report sent to DWP on 3rd December and now been told it could be 4 to 6 weeks before I get a decision. So total wait time over 4 months. Ridiculous when we are ill and the whole situation just makes me more ill. I have wrote an official complaint and my MP has wrote again to the DWP media next call :mad:

I think my local Mp will be my next port of call, even though I was warned it might/might not have a detrimental effect on my award. I've worked hard all my life, 4 jobs at one point, all I'm asking for is some help. As if I haven't Ben through enough.From the sounds of it the medical is there to trip you up too, pardon the pun.

Tofudragon

singlehouseholder wrote: »

Tofu dragon, the woman on the phone wasn't prepared to enter into any discussion, I've already submitted a formal complaint about the way I was spoken to by one of their call takers, this is probably on my notes so they won't want any call with me to linger, when I ring back next week, as advised, I'll be asking how far in advance their diaries are booked up. What a shambles.

It is disgusting how long it is taking for new claims and existing claimants - I honestly cannot see nor fathom how this is saving any money or improving the service. All I can say is try to remain patient, persistent and calm whilst the process is on-going, if you have an MP or someone else to help chase/speed it up - use them. Spread the word about how long it is taking with friends, family, online, whoever will listen - word of mouth spreads fast and these delays cannot be kept quiet or swept under the rug by them. Make people aware what's happening, how long it is taking and how it is affecting you.

About home adaptations have you enquired with adult social services and/or a community OT (occupation therapist). That's how I managed to get some adaptations in place such as walking sticks, rails around the house, perching stool, shower chair, bed rail, grabber, dressing stick etc. The stuff it supplied by a company called Mediequip and its on a loan basis, as in once I don't need it or pass away they will come and collect it. Some stuff you will have to pay for, such as kitchen aids but some of the essential things they might be able to help with.

I don't work so I have no idea how it works for people who do work but can't help finding out. You'll probably have to fight for it, I did but my community OT was a massive help in helping me reclaim some independence from having nothing to having an adapted bungalow in a safe area, aids/adaptations, getting direct payments/adult social care involved and forwarding me to a charity who have helped me so far with getting rid of student uni debt, housing benefit and PIP and also applying to another charity on my behalf for a new fridge freezer. All since Feb 2013 - it's been a long and hard process, you'll have to have loads of assessments and visits but some degree of help has to be out there for you, push for it and don't get disheartened if you are batted back (it will happen, happened to me).

Keep positive and fight for the help you need and deserve, all the best.

speedyturtle

I am really sorry to hear that you are having problems and i am sure you wanna hear something positive but the truth is that you gotta make yourself strong cause this is just the beginning and people who apply for PIP may have to go through this hell every time. It seems like its the disabled who are suffering the most by this nasty party.