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What chance of a telephone consultation.
- Black Dahlia
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9 years 3 weeks ago #158089 by Black Dahlia
Replied by Black Dahlia on topic What chance of a telephone consultation.
Thank you Gordon, it sounds like the best course of action would just be to attend the interview, heavily medicated, and take my close friend who has agreed to drive me there.
In many ways I cannot bear to prolong the agony of the whole process.
The DWP have completely disregarded the Doctors letter enclosed with the form, which states that I would find a F2F interview in an unfamiliar area extremely difficult and also that as a result of the stress that I am feeling suicidal again.
If Atos do not, as you state, have access to my PIP(2) form and accompanying evidence attached, then who should I contact to challenge the decision to request I attend a F2F interview at a centre and not be givenn a home assessment?
In many ways I cannot bear to prolong the agony of the whole process.
The DWP have completely disregarded the Doctors letter enclosed with the form, which states that I would find a F2F interview in an unfamiliar area extremely difficult and also that as a result of the stress that I am feeling suicidal again.
If Atos do not, as you state, have access to my PIP(2) form and accompanying evidence attached, then who should I contact to challenge the decision to request I attend a F2F interview at a centre and not be givenn a home assessment?
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9 years 2 weeks ago #158098 by Black Dahlia
Replied by Black Dahlia on topic What chance of a telephone consultation.
Thank you again, Gordon,
Please can you tell me, does the Health Professional have access to or a copy of my PIP(2) form, or do they only have the PA4 V3 form, to complete ( sample of which you provide in the members only guides), and if so do Atos and Capita both use the same form?
Would there be a problem taking a copy of the sample PA4 V3 as a guide to the answers the Health Professional is going to be asking me?
I have decided that I would be best having the Assessment done as early as possible and with a friend to give me support and transport there so I am not going to request a Home Assessment. In a way I would find that even more invasive.
I will let the forum know how it goes!
Please can you tell me, does the Health Professional have access to or a copy of my PIP(2) form, or do they only have the PA4 V3 form, to complete ( sample of which you provide in the members only guides), and if so do Atos and Capita both use the same form?
Would there be a problem taking a copy of the sample PA4 V3 as a guide to the answers the Health Professional is going to be asking me?
I have decided that I would be best having the Assessment done as early as possible and with a friend to give me support and transport there so I am not going to request a Home Assessment. In a way I would find that even more invasive.
I will let the forum know how it goes!
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9 years 2 weeks ago #158111 by Gordon
It's more likely to be a case of them not being aware of the doctors letter in the first place, the people who arrange the appointments have no access to your completed forms, they are not assessors, just admin staff (no offence to admin staff intended), so it would be worth your challenging the need for an assessment at their offices.
So give the Assessment Provider a call and ask why a home assessment hasn't been offered given your conditions and your GP letter.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic What chance of a telephone consultation.
Black Dahlia wrote: Thank you Gordon, it sounds like the best course of action would just be to attend the interview, heavily medicated, and take my close friend who has agreed to drive me there.
In many ways I cannot bear to prolong the agony of the whole process.
The DWP have completely disregarded the Doctors letter enclosed with the form, which states that I would find a F2F interview in an unfamiliar area extremely difficult and also that as a result of the stress that I am feeling suicidal again.
If Atos do not, as you state, have access to my PIP(2) form and accompanying evidence attached, then who should I contact to challenge the decision to request I attend a F2F interview at a centre and not be givenn a home assessment?
It's more likely to be a case of them not being aware of the doctors letter in the first place, the people who arrange the appointments have no access to your completed forms, they are not assessors, just admin staff (no offence to admin staff intended), so it would be worth your challenging the need for an assessment at their offices.
So give the Assessment Provider a call and ask why a home assessment hasn't been offered given your conditions and your GP letter.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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9 years 2 weeks ago #158113 by Gordon
The assessor should have received and read your PIP2 and should have it with them at the assessment.
We generally do not see a problem with the claimant having notes with them at the assessment to help them if needed, although we recommend that they do not refer to them unless absolutely necessary and explain why it is necessary to the assessor.
I would have to say that a copy of a PA4 probably goes beyond the definition of "notes" and would say that this is probably a bad idea as it would make it appear that you are constructing your answers to fit the questions rather than describing your limitations as they are.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic What chance of a telephone consultation.
Black Dahlia wrote: Thank you again, Gordon,
Please can you tell me, does the Health Professional have access to or a copy of my PIP(2) form, or do they only have the PA4 V3 form, to complete ( sample of which you provide in the members only guides), and if so do Atos and Capita both use the same form?
Would there be a problem taking a copy of the sample PA4 V3 as a guide to the answers the Health Professional is going to be asking me?
I have decided that I would be best having the Assessment done as early as possible and with a friend to give me support and transport there so I am not going to request a Home Assessment. In a way I would find that even more invasive.
I will let the forum know how it goes!
The assessor should have received and read your PIP2 and should have it with them at the assessment.
We generally do not see a problem with the claimant having notes with them at the assessment to help them if needed, although we recommend that they do not refer to them unless absolutely necessary and explain why it is necessary to the assessor.
I would have to say that a copy of a PA4 probably goes beyond the definition of "notes" and would say that this is probably a bad idea as it would make it appear that you are constructing your answers to fit the questions rather than describing your limitations as they are.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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9 years 2 weeks ago #158284 by Black Dahlia
Replied by Black Dahlia on topic What chance of a telephone consultation.
I have been advised by Samh (Scottish Association for Mental Health) and Highland Advocacy that I should avoid attending my assessment medical on the 13th May if I cannot be represented by an advocate in such short time frame. ( they are trying to find me one )
Would this be a valid reason for asking Atos for my appointment be changed?
Would this be a valid reason for asking Atos for my appointment be changed?
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9 years 2 weeks ago #158311 by Gordon
If this is your first assessment appointment then it can be cancelled without penalty, I would wait until tomorrow (12 May) before doing so to maximise the time until a second appointment is booked.
However, if it is a second appointment and you cancelled the first, then your failing to attend for any reason will result in your file being returned to the DWP. It's possible that the will accept your reasons as good cause, but if they do not then they will close your PIP claim and any DLA claim.
If the letter is the case then I would contact these charities again and explain the circumstances to see whether they can provide someone at short notice to attend with you on the 13th.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic What chance of a telephone consultation.
Black Dahlia wrote: I have been advised by Samh (Scottish Association for Mental Health) and Highland Advocacy that I should avoid attending my assessment medical on the 13th May if I cannot be represented by an advocate in such short time frame. ( they are trying to find me one )
Would this be a valid reason for asking Atos for my appointment be changed?
If this is your first assessment appointment then it can be cancelled without penalty, I would wait until tomorrow (12 May) before doing so to maximise the time until a second appointment is booked.
However, if it is a second appointment and you cancelled the first, then your failing to attend for any reason will result in your file being returned to the DWP. It's possible that the will accept your reasons as good cause, but if they do not then they will close your PIP claim and any DLA claim.
If the letter is the case then I would contact these charities again and explain the circumstances to see whether they can provide someone at short notice to attend with you on the 13th.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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