PIP ASSESSMENT notice period

dori2o

The postman has just been and I've got my appointment for my PIP assessment.

The letter is dated 14 May but the assessment is on Tuesday at 8am in Manchester.

Assessment is being carried out by Independent Assessment Services, which I understand is the new name for ATOS.

I have some issues with this appointment.

First, am I not entitled to 5 days notice of the appointment? This seems to be very underhand. As well as pain and mobility issues I also suffer from mental health issues including anxiety. I'm now panicing and have almost no time to mentally prepare myself for the appointment.

Secondly, I have issues with sleep and also I have a routine with medications. For this reason I dont start work until 10am as I need the time in the mornings to prepare myself, take medications, get help with getting up, dressed, washed etc, and to mentally prepare myself for the day ahead (all of which is covered in my renewal form).

3rd. I am unable to take the time off work this week due to the project I'm working on. I'm actually due to be out of office for most of this week and there is nobody else who can fill in.

In any case I need more than a days notice to book time off.

The issue is further complicated by the fact that I am having a minor medical procedure a week on Monday which is only day surgery but will mean I have to rest for 48 hours. This already has me anxious enough.

I would have preferred an appointment in Rochdale where my last one was as its closer to home.

Although the appointments last no more than an hour or so I will be taking a full day leave as mentally they are tough given my current mh issues. Also physically the last one left me in severe pain.

I'm going to call ATOS later to reschedule, but what are the chances of them:

a) rescheduling for the Friday after my medical treatment?

b) accepting that 1 days notice is unacceptable? Am I not entitled to 5 days notice?

c) forcing me to attend on a day when I'm completely unavailable?

NeilCr

Have a read of this.

There is information here about changing an appointment and the amount of notice needed

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

Please ignore StopWatch. They have nothing useful at all to give to this forum.

dori2o

Thanks for that. However I cant see anything about giving a period of notice prior to the assessment.

Going to phone later once I've calmed down a bit and got my head together.

NeilCr

Red box in the middle of the page entitled you must attend your assssment.

The last line about seven days notice

"Warning: you must go to your assessment

You must go to your assessment otherwise your PIP claim will be rejected and you'll have to start the application process all over again.

Contact your assessment provider straight away if you can't make your appointment or if you've
already missed it. If you've a good reason for not going they may reschedule it. The number to contact is on your appointment letter.

There are no rules on what is a good reason for missing an assessment but the DWP should take into account your health and things that may affect you like a family bereavement.

If your PIP claim is rejected because you missed your assessment, you can ask the DWP to change this decision. You must have been given at least 7 days written notice of the assessment date (unless you agreed to a shorter notice period)."

dori2o

NeilCr wrote: »

Red box in the middle of the page entitled you must attend your assssment.

The last line about seven days notice

"Warning: you must go to your assessment

You must go to your assessment otherwise your PIP claim will be rejected and you'll have to start the application process all over again.

Contact your assessment provider straight away if you can't make your appointment or if you've
already missed it. If you've a good reason for not going they may reschedule it. The number to contact is on your appointment letter.

There are no rules on what is a good reason for missing an assessment but the DWP should take into account your health and things that may affect you like a family bereavement.

If your PIP claim is rejected because you missed your assessment, you can ask the DWP to change this decision. You must have been given at least 7 days written notice of the assessment date (unless you agreed to a shorter notice period)."

Yep, seen it now.

I'm in a panic and didnt see it at first.

Thanks very much.

Can I insist on a late morning/early afternoon appointment given that such an early appointment will have a lasting affect due to my current conditions (including but not limited to the issues with depression, anxiety, sleep, recurring dreams/nightmares, medications, mobility, help getting dressed/washed etc) and how I take my meds etc.

NeilCr

dori2o wrote: »

Yep, seen it now.

I'm in a panic and didnt see it at first.

Thanks very much.

Can I insist on a late morning/early afternoon appointment given that such an early appointment will have a lasting affect due to my current conditions (including but not limited to the issues with depression, anxiety, sleep, recurring dreams/nightmares, medications, mobility, help getting dressed/washed etc) and how I take my meds etc.

I don't know about insisting but, in my experience, the DWP are pretty reasonable about changing dates if you've got good reason. Personally, I'd not go in heavy handed but explain your situation and ask.

It's not in the link but I am pretty certain that some reputable posters here have said they will only allow one date change.

dori2o

Ive just read the 2013 PIP Regulations statute which again states 7 days written notice is required, but does this mean that I must have received the letter at least 7 days before, or, just that the letter must be dated/sent more than/at least 7 days before?

If its the latter then they will have complied as the letter is dated 14th May.

However, if its like many public departments post is usuall all delivered/sent for delivery only 1 or 2 days per week.

NeilCr

It's hard to find anything definite but I've seen a couple of references which indicate that the seven days count from the date on the letter. That would tie in with the month you are given to do an MR. That is from that date.

I know it's easy to say but try not to panic and think the worst. Ring them and explain the situation - you've only just received the letter, you've got a medical procedure Monday and you are committed at work. Chances are they'll be fine about changing the date

sammyjammy

dori2o wrote: »

However, if its like many public departments post is usuall all delivered/sent for delivery only 1 or 2 days per week.

All letters from DWP whether electronically issued or done by a member of staff are sent on a daily basis.

TELLIT01

sammyjammy wrote: »

All letters from DWP whether electronically issued or done by a member of staff are sent on a daily basis.

But they are also sent 2nd class so can take several days to arrive. If you call DWP about anything you have returned to them using the reply paid envelope you are told it can take up to a week for them to receive it. The assumption must be that it can also take that amount of time to reach the claimant. Notice of 7 days from the date of issue is nonsensical.

Alice_Holt

NeilCr wrote: »

IIt's not in the link but I am pretty certain that some reputable posters here have said they will only allow one date change.

That's correct.

"To help us complete your assessment as soon as possible, we will initially offer you the earliest appointment we have available. However, we understand that it might not always be possible for you to attend this.

Therefore, if this first appointment is not convenient, please contact our Customer Service Centre as soon as possible. Yo will find the telephone number on your appointment letter or on our Contact Us page.

We will work with you to find a more suitable time. However, please bear in mind that we can only reschedule your appointment once, and that postponing your appointment may lead to a delay in getting a decision from DWP."

From https://www.mypipassessment.co.uk/faqs/#before-your-assessment-1095

I'd second the view that the OP should be reasonable, outline the circumstances (and hope to get someone sensible from ATOS)

P.S. Has anyone else reported the post @ 2?