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PIP assessment for suicidal people
- steveinleo59
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5 years 3 months ago #245595 by steveinleo59
PIP assessment for suicidal people was created by steveinleo59
My wife is having to undergo a PIP review despite the last PIP assessment ending with her attempting to take her own life because it was so traumatic. This time around the DWP have decided to make her travel to an assessment again despite the magistrate on the last time's appeal dismissing the case and finding the DWP totally out of order. Not only that, the appointment letter has taken 10 days to arrive and then only gave us 7 days notice.
I thought I'd read somewhere that the DWP were not allowed to make suicidal people go through the process. Can anyone enlighten me on the legalities of medical assessments?
Our Doctor's surgery are very frustrated by this treatment of my wife.
I thought I'd read somewhere that the DWP were not allowed to make suicidal people go through the process. Can anyone enlighten me on the legalities of medical assessments?
Our Doctor's surgery are very frustrated by this treatment of my wife.
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- BIS
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5 years 3 months ago #245603 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic PIP assessment for suicidal people
Hi Seveinleo59
Unfortunately, it is for the assessment provider to make the decision about whether or not your wife should attend a face to face. There is nothing in law the prevents them from asking a claimant to do so.
If you have a sympathetic doctor, you should contact them immediately and get them to write an unequivocal letter that says your wife cannot attend a face to face assessment because of the overwhelming psychological distress that it would cause and an imminent deterioration in her mental health. They should also mention the prior suicide attempt.
If your doctor agrees - but it has to be as strongly worded as the example I have given above - you then contact the assessment services - ask to speak to someone senior (not just the call handler and you tell them that a letter is on the way. You also contact the DWP and see if your wife is marked down as a Vulnerable Claimant. If she is and it sounds as if she should be then there is a Vulnerable Claimant Champion and you ask to speak to them and explain how urgent the situation is. They may just say that the papers have already been sent to the assessment provider, but I would push on this - things can be changed if there is a will.
Although you are very short of time, I would also contact your MP and say what the imminent situation is.
Hope you get some positive outcome. I believe it's one of those cases where you have to keep ringing and pushing. (Just don't lose your cool with anyone.)
BIS
Unfortunately, it is for the assessment provider to make the decision about whether or not your wife should attend a face to face. There is nothing in law the prevents them from asking a claimant to do so.
If you have a sympathetic doctor, you should contact them immediately and get them to write an unequivocal letter that says your wife cannot attend a face to face assessment because of the overwhelming psychological distress that it would cause and an imminent deterioration in her mental health. They should also mention the prior suicide attempt.
If your doctor agrees - but it has to be as strongly worded as the example I have given above - you then contact the assessment services - ask to speak to someone senior (not just the call handler and you tell them that a letter is on the way. You also contact the DWP and see if your wife is marked down as a Vulnerable Claimant. If she is and it sounds as if she should be then there is a Vulnerable Claimant Champion and you ask to speak to them and explain how urgent the situation is. They may just say that the papers have already been sent to the assessment provider, but I would push on this - things can be changed if there is a will.
Although you are very short of time, I would also contact your MP and say what the imminent situation is.
Hope you get some positive outcome. I believe it's one of those cases where you have to keep ringing and pushing. (Just don't lose your cool with anyone.)
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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