PIP appointment cancellation help.

Snillor

My appointment was scheduled for today; I have been terrified about it ever since the letter arrived. So, I got a text message at 8am today telling me to call the appointment centre regarding my appointment. I called and the person who answered said they would have to cancel my appointment, probably because someone had called in sick. She proceeded to tell me that I can have an appointment tomorrow in Blackburn (I live in Salford) or Preston on Monday. I asked her why I can't have one in Manchester, she told me under some rules that I had been issued, I am expected to travel up to 90 minutes. At this point I started to have a panic attack (I have GAD and social AD). I made a complete embarrassment of myself by crying down the phone at her, she must've though I was a right loser. Anyway, in the panic, I just told her I can't take either appointment, I have nobody to go with. It's not possible for me to go to unfamiliar territory, just thinking about that all day has had me feeling nauseous and unable to eat. And now I have the diabetes shakes. In their defence, I was offered a taxi with reimbursements, but this would not make the situation any better for me; the thought of being trapped in a car with a stranger makes me feel faint.

So, I guess my question is, what is going to happen to me? I'm guessing the DWP will mark this as a DNA, is there any way they will reopen my original case, or will I have to apply all over again? I just feel it's really unfair that I had psyched myself up to make a 15 minute walk to my original appointment, and no I don't have anything because someone was off sick. My local MP is really nice I hear, if she is able to do anything?

BlueEyedGirl

Snillor wrote: »

My appointment was scheduled for today; I have been terrified about it ever since the letter arrived. So, I got a text message at 8am today telling me to call the appointment centre regarding my appointment. I called and the person who answered said they would have to cancel my appointment, probably because someone had called in sick. She proceeded to tell me that I can have an appointment tomorrow in Blackburn (I live in Salford) or Preston on Monday. I asked her why I can't have one in Manchester, she told me under some rules that I had been issued, I am expected to travel up to 90 minutes. At this point I started to have a panic attack (I have GAD and social AD). I made a complete embarrassment of myself by crying down the phone at her, she must've though I was a right loser. Anyway, in the panic, I just told her I can't take either appointment, I have nobody to go with. It's not possible for me to go to unfamiliar territory, just thinking about that all day has had me feeling nauseous and unable to eat. And now I have the diabetes shakes. In their defence, I was offered a taxi with reimbursements, but this would not make the situation any better for me; the thought of being trapped in a car with a stranger makes me feel faint.

So, I guess my question is, what is going to happen to me? I'm guessing the DWP will mark this as a DNA, is there any way they will reopen my original case, or will I have to apply all over again? I just feel it's really unfair that I had psyched myself up to make a 15 minute walk to my original appointment, and no I don't have anything because someone was off sick. My local MP is really nice I hear, if she is able to do anything?

At least they informed you that they cancelled your appointment before you set off.

They are right, they can ask you to attend an appointment within a 90 minutes travelling distance, and Blackburn or Preston are not too far away from Salford by train. In fact Preston is on a direct train route from Salford.

I appreciate you have an anxiety issue so travelling alone is not an option for you. Is there someone else you can take along for support?

Failing this, you could ask them for a home visit but I believe this has to be supported by a letter from a medical professional.

They should not mark you down as DNA, since they cancelled the appointment they made for you. Yes, they offered two other appointments but these were clearly not suitable for you.

Whilst they offered you Preston and Blackburn did they say they definitely could not offer an appointment for Manchester?

It may be worth phoning them again tomorrow to ask about another appointment for Manchester, and if they cannot do this ask about having a home visit. Make a note of when you call and who you speak to for reference.

Snillor

They told me that if I did not accept one of the appointments offered they will send my claim back to DWP. She may have done it there and then. There were apparently no appointments available at all, ever, in Manchester. I'm willing to go to the appointment if it's somewhere I can get to on my own, there is nobody who can come with me, I'd rather they didn't visit me at home. I've been to one before a year ago, and I was told after an hour of waiting that the health professional handling my claim is sick, so I waited another hour to see someone else...

BlueEyedGirl

Snillor wrote: »

They told me that if I did not accept one of the appointments offered they will send my claim back to DWP. She may have done it there and then. There were apparently no appointments available at all, ever, in Manchester. I'm willing to go to the appointment if it's somewhere I can get to on my own, there is nobody who can come with me, I'd rather they didn't visit me at home. I've been to one before a year ago, and I was told after an hour of waiting that the health professional handling my claim is sick, so I waited another hour to see someone else...

You need to explain this to them, that you cannot venture into unfamiliar territory due to your illness, if there are no appointments in Manchester, then take Preston or risk your claim going back to the DWP. Either way you will need to attend somewhere for a medical, especially if you would prefer not to have a home visit.

Someone else may be able to offer more / different advice or make a suggestion.

Studebacher_Hoch

First of all, the claimant can ask for one reschedule. In this case it was them, not you, who cancelled the appointment so the one reschedule thing doesn't come into play.

Second, although it's fair enough to try an offer an alternative appointment as soon as possible, you shouldn't be compelled to take it. A very short notice appointment means they haven't got time to send you a letter with directions, which would be best practice. You should have the chance to be given fair notice of your assessment, particularly with the mental health condition. Also given the anxiety condition they should try and rearrange in a location suitable to you, i.e. Manchester in this case.

If you can, call Atos again (or perhaps it's Capita, not sure who deals with Manchester) and hope you get someone more helpful. Say that they cancelled your assessment and you couldn't go to the very short notice ones they offered and ask them to set a new date for a Manchester assessment. Point out that you haven't asked for an appointment to be rescheduled yet.

If they won't do it call the DWP as well. Just say what happened, exactly as in the previous paragraph and just ask them to make a note of it. They probably won't get involved in the rescheduling - they'll say dealing with appointments is up to the provider - but if an overzealous staff member does send your claim back to the DWP the case manager will see the note and it'll protect your claim. Again, be clear that you haven't asked for your appointment to be rescheduled.

If they won't reschedule you should also write a letter of complaint, send it to Atos and cc: it to the DWP and your MP.

Snillor

Thank you, I'll call them in the morning and try to be a bit more assertive instead of crying...

edwolf88

i had a letter last week to say i have a home assessment for migrating from high dla and dla motobility for today at 12, i also had a text 5 days ago and another letter again yesterday making sure this appointment is kept. I got myself in such a state prepairing for this assessment that i couldnt wait for it to be over. 12 went and gone 1 o clock still no sign checked letter to confirm what i already know they hr late, 2.o clock then 3.00 still no sign, so phoned the number on the letter to be told the appointment had been cancelled, i asked when and why they couldnt tell me or wouldnt, i told them i wanted an explenation as to why i was not informed. if i was late or didnt turn up my money would have been stopped. if i hadnt called them i still be waiting now

KellyKoo

Same happened to a friend last week. Appointment was booked, she fretted about the home visit, until the day before they rang to say the health professional had gone sick, and they offered her another appointment for three weeks time.

Diary

Snillor wrote: »

Thank you, I'll call them in the morning and try to be a bit more assertive instead of crying...

You're allowed 5 days notice for a PIP appointment, so they cancelled one and you cancelled none. They didn't give you five days notice.