Help with PIP Face to Face assesment

PHILANTHROPIST

The DM will in all likelihood just go along with what the report says. Don't wish to be a doom merchant, but based on what you say occurred at the assessment your husband may at best be awarded a PIP standard rate.

Be positive, however. If you do receive an inappropriate outcome then you will receive excellent support from this forum in revising (in a positive sense) any outcome. Also look to get in contact with your local CAB.

Having to appeal is a pain and is stressful. The DWP hope that people will just give up.

However, do not. Why ? Because, based on recent government figures, you will have a circa 15% likelihood of an upgrade based on a Mandatory Reconsideration, but a circa 65% likelihood of success in an appeal to a Tribunal.

What does that say about the assessment process? That for the main part it is a disgrace, and the role, intellect and integrity of HCP's/ DM's should be scrutinised.

caprichos

Thank you Philanthropist for your comments.
Yes we feel that that will be the outcome so we are ready to appeal the decision. We will definitely ask for support as we know we will get it here and also there are a couple of associations/charities we have contacted in case we need them.
If she did indeed listened and too the right information my husband should have a score of 16 + on mobility. If she saw and observed my husband walk around the centre my husband should be awarded 16+ points. The thing is did she pay attention and took notes of all or because she was rushing us did she just got quick answers and that is that. we will have to wait and see but we are definitely fighting for what is right.

PHILANTHROPIST

Deeply concerned to hear reference to HCP stating that time was short, or was in a rush. Diddums. Surprised the HCP didn't meet your husband at reception and en route to the room ask him to walk a bit quicker.

Out of interest how long did the medical take ? Normal range is 20 mins (extremely rare) to up to 2 hours ?

rockingbilly

You are right and in an ideal world where there is no pressure applied by the assessor and certainly no leading questions being asked you would feel comfortable in answering in that way.
The OP was put in a stressful situation within minutes of starting the assessment - "I am running late". No wonder that they became befuddled.
And what a way to ask the question about mobility - sly is the only way to describe it.

rockingbilly

caprichos wrote: »

Thank you for all for your kind words. I know we need to try and put it behind us now till decision day but it is just the frustration that we were not "allowed" to respond properly. Will wait till end of next month....hopefully sooner.

You were entitled to answer as slow as was necessary to get the full details/explanations out. The assessor was controlling your husband - you/he should have told the assessor that they had missed out an explanation/that they were putting pressure on him/that if the assessment would take 2 hours to give a full account then it is going to take 2 hours and we will not be rushed! Nothing of what happened or how the assessment was conducted was your fault - it's just the way they wanted the worst outcome for your husband - but wait and see and get the assessors report from the DWP asap.

rockingbilly

PHILANTHROPIST wrote: »

The DM will in all likelihood just go along with what the report says. Don't wish to be a doom merchant, but based on what you say occurred at the assessment your husband may at best be awarded a PIP standard rate.

Be positive, however. If you do receive an inappropriate outcome then you will receive excellent support from this forum in revising (in a positive sense) any outcome. Also look to get in contact with your local CAB.

Having to appeal is a pain and is stressful. The DWP hope that people will just give up.

However, do not. Why ? Because, based on recent government figures, you will have a circa 15% likelihood of an upgrade based on a Mandatory Reconsideration, but a circa 65% likelihood of success in an appeal to a Tribunal.

What does that say about the assessment process? That for the main part it is a disgrace, and the role, intellect and integrity of HCP's/ DM's should be scrutinised.

If a civil servant consistently has a two in three failure rate they should as a minimum be disciplined.

Why should they be disciplined? They are just doing their job and ensuring that many fail the assessment. If that is overturned at the Tribunal - that is the way it goes. Look at it another way - how many after failing don't go to a Tribunal? I dread to think how many cases are failed by the DWP that would have had the decision overturned at a Tribunal. That is a win for the DWP!

PHILANTHROPIST

Agree Billy - I was being sarcastic. As you say they are merely doing their job.

Nonetheless, the appeals process all amounts to one hell of a waste of money.

That said, a person taken off PIP may equate on average to a saving of say £2500 per annum whilst an appeal "only" costs on average £400.

So upon reflection, I am wrong - DM's should be paid a hefty City type bonus lol ; post has been amended to delete reference to DM's being disciplined.

rockingbilly

PHILANTHROPIST wrote: »

Agree Billy - I was being sarcastic. As you say they are merely doing their job.

Nonetheless, the appeals process all amounts to one hell of a waste of money.

That said, a person taken off PIP may equate on average to a saving of say £2500 per annum whilst an appeal "only" costs on average £400.

So upon reflection, I am wrong - DM's should be paid a hefty City type bonus lol ; post has been amended to delete reference to DM's being disciplined.

That I would like to see happen!!

NeilCr

As I said I'd try and leave it until you get the result. By all means have in your mind that you may have to do a Mandatory Reconsideration - you will have 30 days from the date of the notification to get this in - so there will be time. I agree with the others about getting help

Having said that no-one on this forum can have any idea of what your husband may be awarded. And, it's worth remembering that it is the bad stories that appear on forums like these. There is certainly a problem in the number of cases that get overturned at appeal -but it may be that your husband will get the right result.

And, whatever, anyone says it is not the HCP's job to fail people. Sure there are HCPs who don't do it properly - like in all walks of life. And there are wrong outcomes. But there are many right outcomes too

Once more - good luck. I hope it works out for you both

caprichos

PHILANTHROPIST wrote: »

Deeply concerned to hear reference to HCP stating that time was short, or was in a rush. Diddums. Surprised the HCP didn't meet your husband at reception and en route to the room ask him to walk a bit quicker.

Out of interest how long did the medical take ? Normal range is 20 mins (extremely rare) to up to 2 hours ?

The whole thing lasted about 45 minutes. After the questions he was asked to do some physical exercises. our appointment was at 11 but she did not see us till 11.15 or so. By that time my husband was already tired and he had to stand from the chair several time to stretch etc...