PIP refused due to unable to go to assessment can i appeal?

Greguk123

Posting on behalf of a friend who is also on dialysis due to kidney failure.  She applied for pip as she works part time but it wrecks her.  She was granted an assessment in person, but:

It was for in 3 days time
She was working that day and has no annual leave
It was in a different county and she has no transport 

She phoned up immediately and they said no problem, followed by sending her a refusal of pip letter out for "failing to have a good enough reason to not attend"

Needless to say she is upset.

Any comments based on knowledge of experience please?

Thank you!

peteuk

Did she tell them this or did she just not turn up for the assessment.   I thought post Covid most assessments were carried out over the telephone.

Id call them again and seek out a complaint. 

TELLIT01

What is the distance involved to the assessment location?  

How long would it take by public transport?

Had she previously requested a change of date or location?

Alice_Holt

From turn2us:

If you don’t go to the medical assessment, the DWP may refuse your claim unless you have a good reason for not going.

If you miss your medical assessment, the DWP will contact you to ask you to give a reason. Tell them why you could not attend. If you have any documents to show why you could not attend, give the DWP a copy. If the DWP thinks you have a good reason, they will rearrange your medical assessment.

If you miss your medical assessment and you don’t give a reason, or the DWP decides that you don’t have a good reason, they will refuse your claim. If the DWP refuses your claim, you can challenge their decision or start again with a new claim (or you can do both).

If you make a new claim, you will need to fill in another form. However, you can use your previous form as a guide for what to put. You can read more about challenging a PIP


From Advice Guide:

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).

Newcad

If they only gave 3-days notice of the appointment then that would (usually) be 'good reason' for not attending.
They have to give 7-days unless you have agreed to shorter notice.

Being at work would not be 'good reason'. (She could have taken time off for a medical appointment or as sick leave).

The travelling distance might be 'good reason' or might not - depending on how far it is and how long it would take by public transport.

Greguk123

peteuk said:

Did she tell them this or did she just not turn up for the assessment.   I thought post Covid most assessments were carried out over the telephone.

Id call them again and seek out a complaint. 

It was in a different county and she has no transport 

She phoned up immediately and they said no problem

It does seem unfair

Greguk123

peteuk said:

Did she tell them this or did she just not turn up for the assessment.   I thought post Covid most assessments were carried out over the telephone.

Id call them again and seek out a complaint. 

She phoned they days prior.  Maybe 20 or 30 miles but she wouldn't know re public transport as the bus is too far away and she didn't have any annual leave left

sheramber

Greguk123 said:

peteuk said:

Did she tell them this or did she just not turn up for the assessment.   I thought post Covid most assessments were carried out over the telephone.

Id call them again and seek out a complaint. 

It was in a different county and she has no transport 

She phoned up immediately and they said no problem

It does seem unfair

Did she ask for/ suggest an alternative date?

Greguk123

Thanks guys she complained and has a new assessment by phone.