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Help for a friend's DLA to PIP transfer
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5 years 11 months ago #210836 by lesley
Replied by lesley on topic Help for a friend's DLA to PIP transfer
Just an update. Went to assessment centre with my friend. It was not too far away. We ordered a cab and asked for a receipt to prove that we arrived by cab. I politely asked assessor if she minded that I accompanied my friend. Assessor was fine about it.
The day before I had prepared my friend by sitting down with her and going through all the questions which she might or might not be asked.
Good for you at B & W for providing this list, she was not quite so fazed by the in depth process. The whole thing took about an hour. While we were waiting I asked the receptionist if they were an Atos assessment centre, who said, "no it's an Independent Assessment Centre". Then I noticed a poster on the wall which said "This is an Independent Assessment Centre" in small print right at the bottom was written "delivered by Atos"!
Shall let you know how my friend fared and if and what we need to do next if she is turned down.
The day before I had prepared my friend by sitting down with her and going through all the questions which she might or might not be asked.
Good for you at B & W for providing this list, she was not quite so fazed by the in depth process. The whole thing took about an hour. While we were waiting I asked the receptionist if they were an Atos assessment centre, who said, "no it's an Independent Assessment Centre". Then I noticed a poster on the wall which said "This is an Independent Assessment Centre" in small print right at the bottom was written "delivered by Atos"!
Shall let you know how my friend fared and if and what we need to do next if she is turned down.
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5 years 11 months ago #211740 by lesley
Replied by lesley on topic Help for a friend's DLA to PIP transfer
Friend has been refused the full taxi reimbursement despite our retaining taxi fare receipts and filling out the correct travel claim form from the assessment centre.
Having been with another friend last year to an E.S.A. assessment where the taxi fares were reimbursed without any problem and without prior consultation with Customer Services
I am now surprised to know that it is important to check with Customer Services before your assessment to see if taxi fares can be refunded. Certainly did not know about this information on this link. Other members please do scroll down to where it says and take note ‘Traveling by Taxi’.
www.mypipassessment.co.uk/your-assessment/travel-expenses/
Having been with another friend last year to an E.S.A. assessment where the taxi fares were reimbursed without any problem and without prior consultation with Customer Services
I am now surprised to know that it is important to check with Customer Services before your assessment to see if taxi fares can be refunded. Certainly did not know about this information on this link. Other members please do scroll down to where it says and take note ‘Traveling by Taxi’.
www.mypipassessment.co.uk/your-assessment/travel-expenses/
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5 years 10 months ago #212945 by lesley
Replied by lesley on topic Help for a friend's DLA to PIP transfer
My friend called me to tell me that she has zero points for PIP.
I went to her home but could not get there until after 4 p.m. I read the letter and sure enough she has been turned down for mobility and for care with zero points.
I suggested that we called the DWP to ask for the assessor's report.
We sat on the 'phone from 4.55p.m. to 6.00p.m..... no answer! The phone message said that they were open until 6.00 p.m.
Just to double check we rang again and of course it was closed. I think that they must have all knocked off early because it is a bank holiday on Monday. How convenient!!!
Please advise next steps.
I went to her home but could not get there until after 4 p.m. I read the letter and sure enough she has been turned down for mobility and for care with zero points.
I suggested that we called the DWP to ask for the assessor's report.
We sat on the 'phone from 4.55p.m. to 6.00p.m..... no answer! The phone message said that they were open until 6.00 p.m.
Just to double check we rang again and of course it was closed. I think that they must have all knocked off early because it is a bank holiday on Monday. How convenient!!!
Please advise next steps.
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5 years 10 months ago #212960 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Help for a friend's DLA to PIP transfer
Lesley
The first stage to challenging a Decision is for you to request a Mandatory Reconsideration, this needs to be done in writing to the DWP, within one month of the Decision, to the office that dealt with your claim, have a look at our PIP MR & Appeal guide for details of the process, the PIP area also has template letters that you can use to make the request with.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip
You should contact the DWP for a copy of the assessment report if you have not already done so, I would phone them but again follow up the request in writing. Once you have the assessment report you will have a better understanding of how the DWP Decision Maker has come to their conclusions and will then be able to argue against them.
Your primary task is to show that you meet the criteria, there are many reasons you may have failed, you need to address each of these but don't get bogged down in criticising the assessment report unless you can clearly show that it is incorrect, it is a lot easier to argue the facts of the situation;
"the assessor recorded that I walked 50m, I did but they have failed to document that I had to stop every 10m for a rest due to breathlessness"
than their opinions
"based on my observations of the claimant walking I believe that they can reliably walk more than 200m.
When you have a better idea of the issues with your claim, come back to the forum and we will do our best to help.
Gordon
The first stage to challenging a Decision is for you to request a Mandatory Reconsideration, this needs to be done in writing to the DWP, within one month of the Decision, to the office that dealt with your claim, have a look at our PIP MR & Appeal guide for details of the process, the PIP area also has template letters that you can use to make the request with.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip
You should contact the DWP for a copy of the assessment report if you have not already done so, I would phone them but again follow up the request in writing. Once you have the assessment report you will have a better understanding of how the DWP Decision Maker has come to their conclusions and will then be able to argue against them.
Your primary task is to show that you meet the criteria, there are many reasons you may have failed, you need to address each of these but don't get bogged down in criticising the assessment report unless you can clearly show that it is incorrect, it is a lot easier to argue the facts of the situation;
"the assessor recorded that I walked 50m, I did but they have failed to document that I had to stop every 10m for a rest due to breathlessness"
than their opinions
"based on my observations of the claimant walking I believe that they can reliably walk more than 200m.
When you have a better idea of the issues with your claim, come back to the forum and we will do our best to help.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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5 years 10 months ago #212965 by lesley
Replied by lesley on topic Help for a friend's DLA to PIP transfer
Dear Gordon,
Thank you.
Thank you.
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5 years 10 months ago #213362 by lesley
Replied by lesley on topic Help for a friend's DLA to PIP transfer
My friend now has the assessors report and we are trying to prepare a letter for a mandatory reconsideration. We read the guides together and we are not sure how to word the whole letter. I have seen the example letter asking for the M.R. and copied it out putting her details. Now do we need to add a list of all the descriptor challenges as though preparing for an appeal in this M.R. letter, not quite sure how much to include. B.T.W. she has managed to get a good G.P. letter to include.
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