New Pip applicaction, Atos texts

looby1975

I applied for PIP a couple of month ago after being advised to after an appointment at the JC.

In the last week I've received 2 texts from Atos saying 'This is a message frm Atos Heathcare. We have available appointments in your area over the net 7 days, please call us on 03303300121 if you are available. Kind Regards, Atos Healthcare.'

The second message had a Heading IMPORTANT though.

I can't attend any appointments without at least 2 weeks notice as I need my daughter to help me get there and to support me through the appointments. She works part time due to being my main carer and her work needs at least 14 days notice of any planned time off.

If I don't phone them to arrange an apportionment within the next 7 days will they then send me an appointment for some time after that so that my daughter can arrange time off to come with me?

So far the only thing I've had in writing from them is the PIP application form everything else has been via text.

Torry_Quine

You need to contact them and explain your need for more notice for an appointment. If you don't then it could easily be an appointment is given that you can't attend.

WillowCat

Being pragmatic, could you find out from your daughter what her shifts are for the next week, then call and find out if an appointment is available when your daughter is? You can always explain that her shifts are already set which is why you can't just take any old appointment.

pmlindyloo

Torry_Quine wrote: »

You need to contact them and explain your need for more notice for an appointment. If you don't then it could easily be an appointment is given that you can't attend.

I disagree

I think this is a text because they have had some cancelled appointments and are asking if you are available. They should give at least 7 days notice.

Having said that telephoning them to reassure yourself it a good idea. You could also mention then that your daughter needs 14 days notice to attend with you and ask them to put a note of this on your file. (hopefully someone will take notice of this)

If they say they only have to give you 7 days notice then ask for a taxi if you feel you are unable to use public transport.

looby1975

Thanks everyone, my daughter tried to phone them today but they refused to talk to her. I'm no good on the phone and she usually does all the phoning for me so we'll just have to wait for a letter from them I suppose.

looby1975

I received a letter today with an appointment at an office 25miles away in an area we know nothing about.

My daughter phoned up again pretending to be me (naughty I know but I really can't make arrangements over the phone without getting totally confused and going into anxiety melt down) and she was able to rebook an appointment for next week with a time that she is able to come with me (before her latest starting weekday shift) and slightly closer to home.

I'm a bit confused about the location though, It's at a Bannatyne gym, not sure what to make of that.

looby1975

Sorry to come back again, but I really need advice about the actual pip assessment.

My daughter was chatting to one of her work colleagues today and she told her about my impending assessment. Her colleagues adult son had an assessment at exactly the same centre as the one I have to go to. She went with him but was turned away when she tried to go into the assessment room with him.

I can't get through this assessment on my own, I really need my daughter to help me. I suffer panic attacks which she helps me work through and she also helps me get up and down on chairs and steps. Can she insist that she comes with me into the assessment to help me? I need her there,

looby1975

Any advice?

Loz01

I went with my Mum into the room for her PIP assessment - they didn't query anything, I just followed them in and sat down!

Robbie64

looby1975 wrote: »

Sorry to come back again, but I really need advice about the actual pip assessment.

My daughter was chatting to one of her work colleagues today and she told her about my impending assessment. Her colleagues adult son had an assessment at exactly the same centre as the one I have to go to. She went with him but was turned away when she tried to go into the assessment room with him.

I can't get through this assessment on my own, I really need my daughter to help me. I suffer panic attacks which she helps me work through and she also helps me get up and down on chairs and steps. Can she insist that she comes with me into the assessment to help me? I need her there,

DWP guidance is to encourage the person claiming PIP to take someone along to the consultation to provide support if the claimant would find this useful. Indeed, the DWP advise that the other person can participate in any discussion.

The PIP Assessment Guide, which is issued to all health professionals who undertake PIP assessments has a section on face-to-face assessments and the presence of companions to claimants at assessments. The advice is very clear:

2.7.1
Claimants should be encouraged to bring another person with them to consultations where they would find this helpful – for example, to reassure them or to help them during the consultation. The person chosen is at the discretion of the claimant and might be, but is not limited to, a parent, family member, friend, carer or advocate.

2.7.2
Consultations should predominantly be between the HP and the claimant. However, the companions may play an active role in helping claimants answer questions where the claimant or HP wishes them to do so. This may be particularly important where the claimant has a mental, cognitive or intellectual impairment. In such cases the claimant may not be able to give an accurate account of their health condition or impairment, through a lack of insight or unrealistic expectations of their own ability. In such cases it will be essential to get an accurate account from the companion. However, the involvement of companions should be at the discretion of the HP. It is essential that the HP’s advice is based on the claimant’s actual circumstances and not the companion’s views on these. If the presence of a companion becomes disruptive to the consultation, the HP may ask them to leave. However, this should be avoided wherever possible.

see PIP Assessment Guide at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers to download the PIP Assessment Guide (PDF file)

The above guidance can be found at page 42, section 2.7

If an HP refuses to allow a companion to be present at an assessment from the outset this would be grounds for making a formal complaint.

Alice_Holt

“
Might help to be aware of the PIP Descriptors:
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

You need 8 points for either a standard Daily Living award and/or a Mobility award. An enchanced award requires 12 points.

If you use any aids such as bathroom rails / shower seat; raised toilet / rails to help you off toilet / grabber for socks shoes etc; perching stool for sitting whilst preparing a meal / electric can opener/ microwave - do tell the assessor as aids will score 2 points for each activity.

It is worth seeing which descriptors apply and have examples / illustarations ready to tell the assessor. You could take some notes / diary with you detailiing examples (and frequency) to tell the assessor. You can take someone with you to observe the assessment, and take copies of medical evidence to give the assessor.

It sounds like you should score 4 points for social engagement (needing social support).
Possibly 2 points for budgeting if you would struugle to manage a household budget and pay bills.

More info here:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-pip-claim/your-assessment/

If it doesn't go according to plan, then get your local CAB to help with the appeal proccess.

Good Luck