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Not notified of my appointment
- Alybongo65
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3 years 10 months ago #261206 by Alybongo65
Not notified of my appointment was created by Alybongo65
Hoping someone can help me please. I filled in the form to apply for PIP for the first time and they confirmed receipt on the 10th of March. Since then I haven't heard anything. I called DWP recently and was advised it was with the assessors and they would be in touch shortly. When calling the assessors I was advised they would contact when ready for my assessment. It has now been 17 weeks since they have had it so decided to call assessors on Friday just gone to ask for an update to be told "oh yes it's on Tuesday 6th at 5pm" I haven't received any confirmation via text or letter so if I hadn't have called I wouldn't have known. I suffer with MH so this has completely knocked me for six. I called this morning to ask for it to be recorded and they said they would need to cancel and rebook but I couldn't then cancel this one or they would cancel my assessment completely. I feel really worried as I don't know when it'll be, if I'll receive notification of it and it takes a lot for me to call them up.
Should I have received written confirmation beforehand? I also have had some changes in my health condition since I first applied so have more paperwork to send. Do I send this to Dwp? What reference do I put? I feel so out of my depth.
Should I have received written confirmation beforehand? I also have had some changes in my health condition since I first applied so have more paperwork to send. Do I send this to Dwp? What reference do I put? I feel so out of my depth.
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- Catherine
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3 years 10 months ago #261214 by Catherine
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Catherine on topic Not notified of my appointment
Hello Alybongo65,
What a terrible place for you and your head to suddenly find themselves in.
Yes, you should have been given notification of your appointment, and you should have received it at least a week before the appointment date. Without that notice you have the right to decline to keep the appointment, without any of their ‘if we change it etc etc’.
I am not sure from your post if you have actually cancelled the appointment for the 6th. If you have not, you might want to consider recoding it yourself and ‘going for it’ just to get it over with. Some people find that less stressful than extending the waiting period.
If you have cancelled it, make sure you let them know any dates you are not available for a new appointment, e.g. if you have a holiday booked or a particular day of the week always has a commitment which would be difficult to cancel. Put any such dates in a letter to them.
Yes, you can still send in additional information to the DWP, just make sure that you put your name and NI number on each sheet.
You may feel as if you are out of your depth, but you sound as if you are doing all the right things – so have faith in yourself!
Catherine
What a terrible place for you and your head to suddenly find themselves in.
Yes, you should have been given notification of your appointment, and you should have received it at least a week before the appointment date. Without that notice you have the right to decline to keep the appointment, without any of their ‘if we change it etc etc’.
I am not sure from your post if you have actually cancelled the appointment for the 6th. If you have not, you might want to consider recoding it yourself and ‘going for it’ just to get it over with. Some people find that less stressful than extending the waiting period.
If you have cancelled it, make sure you let them know any dates you are not available for a new appointment, e.g. if you have a holiday booked or a particular day of the week always has a commitment which would be difficult to cancel. Put any such dates in a letter to them.
Yes, you can still send in additional information to the DWP, just make sure that you put your name and NI number on each sheet.
You may feel as if you are out of your depth, but you sound as if you are doing all the right things – so have faith in yourself!
Catherine
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Alybongo65
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3 years 10 months ago #261216 by Alybongo65
Replied by Alybongo65 on topic Not notified of my appointment
Thank you Catherine,
I was told they cancelled it when speaking to them this morning as they couldn't record the one on the 6th. I've since had a call from them this afternoon to reschedule for the 27th at 9am on a recorded line which I will receive confirmation of via letter.
Hopefully it will go well, the person who spoke to me to confirm it didn't sound very pleased at it being rescheduled but I had no written notice.
I will send out the further paperwork to the DWP ASAP using my NI number as reference. Reading on the forum not everyone has had a positive experience when doing telephone assessments. I worry I won't be taken seriously or that I won't get my point across. Does anyone have any advise?
I was told they cancelled it when speaking to them this morning as they couldn't record the one on the 6th. I've since had a call from them this afternoon to reschedule for the 27th at 9am on a recorded line which I will receive confirmation of via letter.
Hopefully it will go well, the person who spoke to me to confirm it didn't sound very pleased at it being rescheduled but I had no written notice.
I will send out the further paperwork to the DWP ASAP using my NI number as reference. Reading on the forum not everyone has had a positive experience when doing telephone assessments. I worry I won't be taken seriously or that I won't get my point across. Does anyone have any advise?
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- BIS
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3 years 9 months ago #261221 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Not notified of my appointment
Hi Alybongo65
Glad you have sorted out the recording of your assessment.
Regarding the telephone assessment. Make sure that you have read the most recent PIP guide to PIP claims and reviews - which has ten pages on telephone interviews and the types of questions you may be asked. It can vary from claimant to claimant, but it will give you an idea. (starting on page 93)
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants
BIS
Glad you have sorted out the recording of your assessment.
Regarding the telephone assessment. Make sure that you have read the most recent PIP guide to PIP claims and reviews - which has ten pages on telephone interviews and the types of questions you may be asked. It can vary from claimant to claimant, but it will give you an idea. (starting on page 93)
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- denby
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3 years 9 months ago #261228 by denby
Replied by denby on topic Not notified of my appointment
Dear Alybongo65, sorry to hear you have been so mistreated. Well done for insisting on the recording. My other tip for you is to use the extra time now you know the date, to recruit a friend [or relative] that you trust and don't mind hearing all the embarrassing bits, to sit in and provide moral support. Ideally they will have their own pencil and paper and copy of any checklist you make. Make sure long enough beforehand to borrow a different phone if necessary, that they can hear the conversation with your phone on speaker. They can tick off the points on your list as it goes though; when you get to the " anything else?" bit they can pass you the list to help you tackle whatever the assessor has missed. Do not be afraid to control the situation, eg tell them you need to use the toilet, to stretch, or to take a moment to speak with your supporter.
Hope it goes well, Denby
Hope it goes well, Denby
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