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PIP home assessment that didn’t happen

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5 years 11 months ago #210227 by rhubarbleaf
PIP home assessment that didn’t happen was created by rhubarbleaf
Having just received the news letter, I have to say I’ve just had the same experience with PIP home assessment. My friend and I sat and waited for nearly 3 hours, no one called. They said my neighbour has a caravan .... so that proves they called! After mandatory reconsideration they said I could no longer claim PIP as I’d missed 2 appointments. (The first was rearranged with plenty of notice because my support couldn’t make that day, so really only one has been missed and even then I don’t believe they actually tried to keep the appointment) I now have to go through another stressful tribunal just to get an appointment!
I’ve had over a year of constant battles and stress with them. Last January my ESA assessment deemed I was fit for work. The report was full of incorrect information and lies. Appeal that took over 5 months was rejected. I had to sign on JSA ...I only managed to attend twice then had a meltdown. After the mandatory 13 weeks (?) sick, I reclaimed ESA. Now waiting on yet another assessment. I’ve also had to try and reclaim the 5 months ESA which they stopped even though I was appealing.
I’ve finally learnt not to trust the lovely people who say ‘don’t worry we understand ‘ ....they don’t make the decisions. It all seems extremely vindictive, like being the victim of manipulative abuse. I live alone and am unable to get CAB or other specialist help as I’m agoraphobic and have severe social anxiety.
Anyway, not sure what, if anything I’m expecting here.....just ‘venting’ I suppose, but it’s good to know I’m not alone.
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5 years 11 months ago #210527 by ostia
Replied by ostia on topic PIP home assessment that didn’t happen
That sounds really awful - so sorry for your experience.
I am due a home assessment at some time (ME and PTSD and other things mean I am constantly up and down) and having read this and other things in the Press I think I will have to buy a wireless camera to put on the wall to record who comes to the door. I have seen one on Amazon with good reviews for about £50. Not much help for you at this point though. Could you write to your MP about what has happened with maybe back up from your GP? I have found they do take notice of an MP's rebuke as it could herald complaints to Capita/Atos . Osti

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5 years 11 months ago #210546 by rhubarbleaf
Replied by rhubarbleaf on topic PIP home assessment that didn’t happen
Thank you for your message Ostia. I have bought a new bell with 3 plug in receivers and am going to buy a camera. I’m hoping the tribunal panel sees reason and ai get another appointment (even though I’d rather not have to have one!). The stress they’ve caused for the past couple of years is unbelievable.....funnily, or not, they have seem to have been really on my case since I had to involve my MP to get almost 2 years back payments they owed me 2 years ago. It took several letters from him but eventually they paid up. However, the time scale being so huge left me in debt and I was even taken to court for council tax despite being told they understood DWP was in the wrong by claiming I had thousands in the bank....which I didn’t.
I’ve tried to get supporting letters from my GP (as advised by benefits and work) but she says she can’t as she doesn’t see me every day so is unable to back me up! I can see that as I very rarely manage to get to the doctors. And my mental health coordinator says she is only allowed to answer correspondence directed to her. I really don’t have much more energy to fight any more.
I would really love to be working and never have to deal with DWP again.
I do hope that you’ve got good support around you and wish you all the best for you home assessment.

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5 years 4 months ago #221741 by ostia
Replied by ostia on topic PIP home assessment that didn’t happen
Hello. I have been reviewing my forum entries and came across this.
Quick update...still waiting for home assessment after it was postponed in July 2017. Now November 2018. I had extra evidence from my GP and others so I think I have been put on the back burner for the moment.

Re your GP...it is nonsense to say they can't give a letter as they don't see you every day...if they know you a bit they should trust you to give a reasonable account of how you are. If you can't get to the GP could you ask them to come out to you next time you have a severe anxiety crisis? They do need to see you somehow now and then as of course if they don't they can't report on how you are. Re cost...my GP does not charge me for letters - v kind- but I know some do. I read somewhere that if you are on disability benefits and really can't pay a GP fee you may be entitled to Legal Aid help for this. Or is this now incorrect......Gordon would know??

Re Anxiety...I struggle with this too and it is horrible (GAD, not agoraphobia) Have you come across the fantastic charity Anxiety UK? I was a member up to a few years ago (not now to save money)....they give excellent support and were happy to supply evidence letters too after I used their services eg low cost counsellor. The letter was free too. All the best.
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