challenging things in a PIP Assessment?

damino

Hi

I know somebody that had a PIP Assessment.. I've spoken to them and they've told me what they said.

And the response back to them has things in it that are not true, things they didn't say.

They didn't record it.. They bought tape recording equipment from argos on the day or the day before, and both they and the person they went with forgot to use it. And I think they even called PIP And said they intend to record it(and were told to bring their own equipment but that it'd be fine)

The PIP assessment response says that they said they can make budgeting decisions on their own.. That is not true. They said they get help from their father.

The PIP Assessment response says that they use the internet to get knowledge about things going on all over the world. It's true they said they use the internet to read the news(but not all over the world), and when asked who the PM was they did not know.

And when asked how to do some arithmetic, they weren't sure and fluttered between two answers, one was correct one was wrong, and the person doing the assessment said they will write down the correct one.

What should/can they do?

Bogalot

The assessor does not go solely on what is said. What evidence did they provide of their difficulty with budgeting decisions, or their apparent memory problems? It is difficult to believe that someone would be capable of reading the news online (albeit not all over the world?!!) but not know who the prime minister is.

What health condition is it that this "somebody" has? It is interesting that someone with such cognitive limitations could recount their assessment with such clarity.

damino

It's possible they provided a heap of evidence related to their case, but that'd be a big subject. And i'm not expert on their condition, or willing to detail it here if I was, so i'm just talking about what was said at the assessment. That said - I think their memory problems are short term, not long term, so it's quite possible they could recollect things. They may well be able to point to things in that evidence such as a statement from a support worker that they need help managing their budget, and that was already sent to them with the claim.

But supposing that's the case that maybe they won't recollect things, then suppose the person they went with can recall them saying that and the assessor wrote that they said otherwise , or didn't write what they should have e.g. about the PM question? And even forgot to record it despite bringing the recently bought recording equipment, 2 tapes and 2 tape recorders, in their bag.

Bogalot

damino wrote: »

It's possible they provided a heap of evidence related to their case, but that'd be a big subject. And i'm not expert on their condition, or willing to detail it here if I was, so i'm just talking about what was said at the assessment. That said - I think their memory problems are short term, not long term, so it's quite possible they could recollect things.

But supposing that's the case that maybe they won't recollect things, then suppose the person they went with can recall them saying that and the assessor wrote that they said otherwise , or didn't write what they should have e.g. about the PM question? And even forgot to record it despite buying the recording equipment and bringing it there in their bag.

It sounds like you need to get your story straight before appealing.

damino

Bogalot wrote: »

It sounds like you need to get your story straight before appealing.

Sounds like you should be less judgemental. It's quite reasonable to not want to give personal information on a forum. You seem to be overly concerned about whether it is me or is not me, and that is none of your business.

Bogalot

damino wrote: »

Sounds like you should be less judgemental. It's quite reasonable to not want to give personal information on a forum.

People cannot help you if you only give selective information.

Given your coherent replies, your speed of replying, your assessor's opinion is understandable. You don't help yourself by exaggerating your condition. By all means appeal, but be honest about your difficulties.

NeilCr

Information here on how to appeal a PIP decision

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/appeals/mandatory-reconsideration/

If you follow the links it goes right through the process

Please do be aware that you have 30 days from the date of the decision letter to request a mandatory reconsideration

It may well be best to get help with all this from the local CAB

damino

Bogalot wrote: »

People cannot help you if you only give selective information.

Given your coherent replies, your speed of replying, your assessor's opinion is understandable. You don't help yourself by exaggerating your condition. By all means appeal, but be honest about your difficulties.

I don't appreciate you giving your opinions on a condition(and how that condition affects a person), when you don't know about the condition or the person and the difficulties they face. There is nothing hidden about the person's verbal abilities or long term memory, they're actually written about in the evidence submitted, as being above average. So don't accuse people of things when you don't know the case.

And I am not talking about an assessor's opinion.

I am talking about what it was claimed was said.

Diary

Have you had the award yet or just the assessors report?

kingfisherblue

Bogalot wrote: »

It is difficult to believe that someone would be capable of reading the news online (albeit not all over the world?!!) but not know who the prime minister is.

To be fair, my son can read words but have no understanding of what they mean. He could read a simple news story but not comprehend it. He does not know who the Prime Minister is, or what it means. He could read the name (although he might have difficulty with Theresa), but would be none the wiser about who she is, what her job title is, or anything about politics. My son has Down's Syndrome. He can read at around the same level as a seven year old, but does not have as much understanding.

I know it isn't entirely relevant to this thread, but I wanted to point out that it is possible to read articles but have little or no understanding of them.

Thecraftybutcher

Hi. I have had a similar experience and wondered also what recourse I had. I was asked questions during the assesment and while I was 3 words into a lengthy answer which explained the answer, the assessor had already written it down. It was decided I was able to perform various tasks with absolutely no proof or basis. Answers were written down different from the ones I gave and my physical state was recorded completely different from fact. I have no proof or witness on the day only a lengthy medical file and a raft of meds going back years. I appealed and the appeal judge referred to the recorded details on my assessment form as "factual"!! This was very early in the appeal hearing and at this point it felt like the decision was made. Do I have any recourse where there is no point of law issue and as this process has taken 22 months from original claim, can a new claim be backdated??