If any of you will soon be having an assessment for PIP or ESA please ask for an audio recording.I forgot all about asking for one when i had mine for PIP and i got a very dishonest assessor.I was so shocked at all the lies she told.My fault really for trusting them.I was warned, but thought it wouldn’t happen to me.How wrong was i.
One of the things she said to me was 'I wont ask you to do any exercises.i can see how tired you are!! she had put on the report that i had REFUSED to do any exercise!!
If i had it recorded she would not have being able to put that.I am annoyed with myself more than anything for trusting them in the first place.There are too many lies on it to tell you them all.I would be on here all day if i told you them all.
I rang the DWP when i got the report and told them all this too, i wasn’t going to keep quiet about it.I told them in a very calm way(even though i felt like calling her a lying so and so) and the lady at DWP was really nice about it.I don’t think for a minute it will have done any good telling them though.
I have just joined a few PIP/ESA forums and the people that are loosing there PIP and ESA is really unbelievable.There are some very ill people that loose all there money,i feel so sorry for them.I have told my partner that i am not prepared to put myself through another assessment and next time they treat me badly i am going to tell them to stick there benefits where the sun doesn’t shine.I will be a hell of a lot worse off but if i had to i can sell my house and live off the money i make on the sale.Anything rather than have to deal with this corrupt system that’s in place.I just wish my state pension was a bit nearer but i have 5 years to go until then.
Sounds awful. I was reading on the MSUK site on FB the other day about an MS nurse (in Coventry where I live) who has MS herself and uses crutches has had her PIP denied so now she can’t afford to run her car to get to work. How completely MAD is that? I was assessed a few weeks ago and I am very certain I will be turned down, it’s very depressing.
Have you asked for a copy of your assessment.I got mine a few days after it.I worked out the points she suggested i get BUT the decision maker can take them off if they so wish,so i just have to wait and see if i get anything at all.
I think I read on another thread that if you take an audio recording or film the actual assessment you have to give a copy to the assessors - not sure if that is right.
Yes you have to ask permission for an audio recording they can do it.If you want to do it yourself you have to have 2 copies one for you,one for them.If i have to any more assessments i will get them recorded.I just wish i had this time,but i was very naive.
“I rang the DWP when i got the report and told them all this too, i wasn’t going to keep quiet about it.I told them in a very calm way(even though i felt like calling her a lying so and so) and the lady at DWP was really nice about it.I don’t think for a minute it will have done any good telling them though.” You need to write to the DWP so it’s in black and white. Hopefully that will save you having to do a MR. It’s always better to have someone with you for the assessment or record what is said. PIP you have to ask permission to record and also provide the equipment. ESA they provide the equipment. Do remember though that the PIP criteria is different to DLA The whole lot is a farce though no matter how you look at it.
It means you ask them to look at the award they gave you again.If you don’t agree with it.You have a month to ask the DWP to reconsider the decision again, from the date of your award letter.
if you decide to go for mandatory reconsideration, collect as much evidence as you can, from doctors, ms nurse, consultants etc. cross reference everything and good luck!
you can put a new claim in.If you get no points again you need to appeal as soon as you get the award letter and remember you have to do this within a month of you getting the letter.They are getting away with it because people don’t understand the system.If you need help filling another form in ask Citizens advice.
Like i said else where , pip are making it as hard and unpleasant as possible, becuase they are relying on us to be too upset, exhausted or not understanding the system, that we give up and dont fight back. Thats what they want, for us to say " im not going to bother again " . Be strong and take control and the upper hand and send them a letter with lots of supporting letters from your gp, specialists etc…then they will listen. Try marking yourelf based on their marking criteria… so do your research and be professional. Try not to get angry, be firm but fair, and chin up.