A government minister has committed themselves to ‘urgently investigating’ alleged assessment tricks used by PIP and WCA assessors after they were raised by MPs at a meeting of the work and pensions committee last week.  We’re asking if you have had a similar experience?

Chloe Smith, minister for disabled people gave the undertaking to investigate after Dr Ben Spencer gave three examples of “covert assessment” raised by claimants at public meetings he had attended.

The first involved missing water cups, Spencer explained:

“One was there was water available at the assessment centre, the water cooler did not have any cups, but one down the corridor did. It was deliberate that the water cooler was broken or cups were not available to see if a person was able to walk beyond the first water cooler to get some water.”

“Another one was that lifts were broken deliberately, seemingly to assess that people were able to use the stairs.”

The third suspected ruse was a pen drop:

 “One person described the assessor dropping a pen in front of them—I think it was a pen or something like that—to see if the person would pick it up as part of a covert assessment effectively of their mobility.”

Spencer asked the minister “Would you commit to urgently investigating this to confirm whether this is indeed an accurate reflection of practices that are going on at the assessments?”

Smith responded:  “Yes, and if I may add on the example of the lift, I am also keen that all of our facilities are properly accessible. It would be unacceptable to have a deliberately broken lift so, yes, we will look into those.”

Of course, all of these may be perfectly innocent.  It may be that the nearest water cooler ran out of cups first, that the lift really was broken and that the assessor genuinely dropped their pen.

The real proof that these were dirty tricks is if they were used in assessment reports where the claimant was supposedly caught out by them.

But anything connected with the DWP is treated with such suspicion by many claimants that innocent explanations are the least likely to be accepted.

Other issues raised by MPS included what was described as the widespread practice whereby  claimants with a “severe visual impairment have to read letters off a chart at their assessment? Do you think that is acceptable? Do you think it builds trust?”

Another complaint was the lack of specialist knowledge displayed by some assessors.  One complaint received by MPS was that:

“The assessment was completed by a nurse that had never heard of my condition. She said she Googled it 5 minutes before seeing me. You cannot understand a complex condition with a 5 min

Google.”

Have you experienced something that you thought was a dirty trick or particularly bad practice at an assessment.  Let us know in the comments below.

You can watch the full committee hearing or read the transcript here.

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    chairlift not · 1 years ago
    How about the chairs without arms trick. Apparently in the interview room there are usually three chairs, one for you, one for someone you might bring with you, like a carer or family member and one for the assessor. I need a chair with arms in order to lift myself up and down. When I got there she ( the arsessor ) had the chair with arms behind her desk.!
    I asked if I could have the chair with arms and she suggested I move it. When I said that I could not and would not, she got furious as she rearranged her own furniture, and this was before the assessment had even began
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    Julia Scullion · 1 years ago
    Phone calls unrecorded then they lie ….. report was nothing like what was discussed , lead into a false sense of security by agents . 
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    Jackie · 1 years ago
    I had to fight for my PIP twice at the local magistrate court after having it taken away by an assessment. Over 3 years fighting. The hearings on both occasions were on the first floor. As I waited having used the lift I was told by the clerk there MIGHT be a fire drill and the lift would be out of order, how would I get down the stairs? I’d waited 3 years for this appointment foolishly said I’d take my chances with the MIGHT be a fire drill. I was refused. I appealed and on my next appointment the SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN! Fire drill. I explained I’d wait for the fire crew and they could get me out. I threatened to reveal to the media exactly what was happening. Disabled people having their dignity removed and threatened with burning. I won on my third tribunal. I’m now awaiting a review, since February. We are left to sit in courts with criminals and then left with the sword of Damocles hanging over us. They can’t have that much of a backlog, they stripped so many of their disability benefits. My brother works in the car trade, old motability cars were popular at auctions, sadly they are a rarity now as not many are getting the benefit. 
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    Cherice Nightingale · 1 years ago
    I made a complaint against Independent Assessment Services following my PIP assessment as the report was filled with lies. Apparently she saw me lift a cup but my mum had taken it to the kitchen to wash up, she saw me manipulating paperwork which was on my trolley and my mum gave them to her. I was so angry by it all and upset. 
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    Helen · 1 years ago
    I’m deaf but don’t use BSL, I asked for a Speech to Text Operator and was sent a BSL interpreter not once but on 2 occasions despite contacting them prior to the assessment to make sure it was a speech to text operator and not a BSL interpreter, the second time the BSL interpreter went to see the assessor and said this is not on you need to make sure I have the right communication support and advised me to contact my MP 
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    R Thomas · 1 years ago
    The assessor misreported in the write up of the tests, my son’s responses so that he didn’t appear to have the difficulties he has. So the test of short term working memory which I recognised as my son has had a lot of SALT, she said he had got it right first time, when in fact she had to repeat the three objects/things and so that he got it right the second time, she changed the order she said the objects in. We tend to remember the last thing mentioned so when she said “cat, plane, tree” he remembered cat and tree, she changed the order to be cat, tree, plane. She then stated he had got it right first time.
    Bearing in mind there aren’t many tests in the assessment and the lady was a qualified doctor (albeit with no experience of Cerebral Palsy), I find it hard to believe this (and the other misreporting errors) were accidents. 
    I imagine she hadn’t read any of the supporting reports from his SALTs he has had over the last 20+ years all who had assessed him as having short term working memory problems. 
    Her conclusion was he had no problems in this area.
    I was frankly horrified by the lack of integrity and professionalism.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jackie · 1 years ago
      @R Thomas This is horrific but not surprising. I’m so sorry this happened to you and your son. I am so angry reading everyone’s experiences. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Lee · 1 years ago
    I am my 40 year old daughter's DWP Appointee. My daughter finally received her adult Autism assessment report in September 2020. I made an application for PIP for her in October 2020.
    The PIP application included my daughter's ASD assessment report, her Spinal disability report, and her GP's medical reports regarding her constant severe migraines and Anxiety & Depression.
    My daughter and I both took part in a remote video assessment by Independent Assessment Services, AKA ATOS.  
    My daughter, with severe ASD, a Spinal Disability, constant severe migraines, and Anxiety & Depression, was awarded just 2 PIP points by the DWP. 
    The recording of the assessment that I was provided with had a large scratch on it and was unusable.
    I telephoned the ATOS London telephone number, which is the only UK telephone number for ATOS, and was given a three week run-around. If I mentioned PIP, I was immediately transferred to the FWP PIP telephone line. If I requested ATOS IT, who hold all the recordings, I was told no one was available, or nobody else was in the office. My persistent attempts resulted in my telephone call being transferred to other companies, none of which had anything to do with ATOS, the DWP, PIP or ATOS IT. These calls were transferred to various numbers at random, including a Gay Chat Line. 
    I telephoned ATOS Scotland and a helpful person requested a duplicate recording CD for me. But the CD contained multiple copies of the first 30 seconds of the assessment, and was useless.
    I contacted friends who provided me with the telephone number of ATOS IT. I telephoned them and requested a copy of the assessment recording. I was provided with a 3rd copy of the CD which was ok.
    I did not have any copy of the ATOS report sent to the DWP.
    I made a Mandatory Reconsideration request. I was telephoned by the DWP and I repeated my protests. This resulted in a DWP decision to uphold the 2 PIP points.
    I made an appeal, and at this point I was provided with a copy of the ATOS assessment report.
    The ATOS assessment report ignored all of my daughter medical evidence, and all the statements made during the remote video assessment. Each and every point was incorrect.
    •    My daughter can’t use a Sat-Nav, but the assessor stated that my daughter CAN use a Sat-Nav.
    •    My daughter can’t prepare and cook meals, but the assessor stated that my daughter CAN.
    •    My daughter fails to keep hydrated, but the assessor stated my daughter has no Eating & Drinking issues.
    •    My daughter fails to take her medication, but the assessor stated that she does manage her medication.
    •    My daughter does not wash herself all the time, but the assessor stated that she has no washing problems.
    •    My daughter has migraines with violent diarrhoea, but the assessor said she has no toilet issues.
    •    My daughter has problems dressing and undressing, but the assessor stated she has no problems dressing.
    •    My daughter has problems communicating, but the assessor stated my daughter has no communication issues.
    •    My daughter is a very slow reader, but the assessor stated my daughter has no reading issues.
    •    My daughter has problems mixing with people, but the assessor stated My daughter has only some problems mixing with people, and she was awarded 2 points.
    •    My daughter can’t budget, but the assessor stated that my daughter can perform both simple and complex budgeting.
    •    My daughter can’t plan and follow a journey, but the assessor stated my daughter has no problems planning & following a journey.
    •    My daughter has problems with moving short distances, but the assessor stated my daughter has no moving around problems.
    The differences between the evidence, and the statements made, were so great that I arranged for a transcript of the assessment recording, which has bene provided to the appeal Tribunal.
    The first two appeal hearings were adjourned, because the appeal tribunal wanted more evidence from my daughter's GP, and the 2nd appeal hearing was adjourned because the DWP failed to attend because the DWP thought the appeal had been withdrawn. No such luck!
    My daughters experience and the ATOS assessment are not unique, in fact I believe it is the ATOS standard operating procedure.
    I have registered a complaint with HcPc regarding the ATOS assessor report to the DWP.





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    Fkd · 1 years ago
    Tricks old wooden chair
    Watched leaning on grand daughters pram told I was pushing it?
    I've been refused mobility because I drive? But awarded standard pip saying I can walk 200 yds if I appeal more than likely will loose standard

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    Julies · 1 years ago
    My assessment shouldn't have taken place there were no need, everything said by my daughter, sister and I wasn't documented on the paperwork.
    On contacting dwp they replyed 
    "The assessor as no reason to lie" 
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      denby · 1 years ago
      @Julies This is why, to pander to their guilty senses for our own good, B&W always advise to avoid the 'lie' word. It's really triggering for the poor DWP, so just say things like 'appear to have misread/misunderstood/accidentally omitted to...'  if you have to challenge them.
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    Leonard Graves · 1 years ago
    I expect you know this but just in case you don't when my wife was alive she was wheelchair dependant we lived in East Grinstead and she was asked to attend a meeting in Croydon we got a train to Croydon walked to the centre her in her chair when we got there we booked in and they called for someone to come down when she did she said the meeting was on the first floor but she said she did not know my wife was wheelchair dependant so if there was a fire the lifts are put out of action so we could not get out its a fire regulation so can't do the meeting so the fact about lifts out of action does not apply as it a regulation so all assessments must be done on the ground floor 
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      Jackie · 1 years ago
      @Leonard Graves I had this happen with 2 tribunals. They MIGHT have a fire drill. I’d waited 3 years. I decided to go ahead and take my chances and was refused. When they tried it a second time I became angry, I accused them of trying to catch people out. I said disabled people need to be seen on the ground floor! I’ll wait for the fire service if there really is a fire. I told them they were appalling examples of human beings. I was given a phone appointment.  
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    Caroline Davies · 1 years ago
    I was asked to climb into the examination couch, obviously I couldn't but when the report came back it said I got onto the couch with no problems. Also they said I removed my coat, I wasn't wearing a coat. 
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    Kate · 1 years ago
    I had my last assessment a year before covid so this has been going on for many years. They first said the lift was broken then magically it was working but I would have to go in on my own. I explained that my husband has to accompany me as I have severe epilepsy. They said only one person at a time. So I refused. When my husband came back from parking the car a mile away (another tactic they have to see how far you can walk) he insisted he had to get in with me so they agreed. When in the room the seats are so far away we couldn’t even see the lady who was calling the names out from the offices, I asked for a chair nearer the door because I couldn’t walk that far. They try all the tricks you can think of and more to catch people out. My advice always take someone with you.
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    purplesky · 1 years ago
    All disabled bays full near assessment centre - they must have known that they are usually full but no warning.  Nearest place to park was over 400m away in a multistory carpark.  I think there was someone from the centre waiting outside the carpark - so could have been spied on.


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      David · 1 years ago
      @purplesky When they ask, how did you get to the assessment centre if its by car and when you inform were you parked, they follow this with any problems? The customer thinking its about parking the car, if the reply is no. They confirm on the assessment customer indicated no problems getting to the assessment centre. Subjectively indicating to a Decision maker you had no difficulty with mobility getting to the assessment centre.
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      Mr p price · 1 years ago
      @purplesky The law if I understand is that you can walk through the pain barrier because you have no choice if you've walked the maximum aloud you then have to walk the same distance back again
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    purplesky · 1 years ago
    Seen lots of things like that.     Very heavy chairs in front of reception desk when checking in - positioned slightly back - too heavy to move forward.    A large disabled loo - the loo roll (and its holder)  was the other side of the room and not next to the toilet.  Would have needed to get off loo and walk to loo roll!!!  Very heavy doors to go through to get into buildings or for the loos.  

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    Doctor · 1 years ago
    So here’s a few that have happened to me. 

    - I have been subjected to two HCP’s in one PIP assessment. I was not asked if I was okay with this and I felt so intimidated I did not answer the questions accurately. I lost my award and had to appeal. i understand the need to train new staff but I should have been asked if I was okay with this and the other asked very personal questions such as “why have you never attempted suicide” - They knew I have issues speaking to strangers and that I was alone that day.
    - A common thing being said when I try to explain an issue is a raised hand and a “we’ll get back to that later” which of course, they don’t. 
    - not strictly relevant but I did once make the train ride to my nearest centre, only to be told that my appointment had been rescheduled and they hadn’t been able to phone me as their phones were down. Literally as she said this, her telephone rang and another member of staff answered and I listened to him re-arrange an appointment and explain that they could only change it once. The person speaking to me went very red, and said she would compensate my travel costs.
    - Aggressive questioning - on more than one occasion I have been sneered at when I answered question like “so what would happen if your carer couldn’t provide you with food” and when I’ve said “I would forget to eat” they’ve looked at me and said “I’m going to give you a chance to answer that again.” Treating me as if I’m a suspect about to be placed under arrest. 
    - Finally of course the classic, finding things in the written report that you’ve never said in your life which is why I’m very grateful for my recordings of my most recent assessments. 

    im anticipating an ESA WCA soon, I believe it to be overdue and although my condition has worsened and I have been hospitalised twice, I’m still extremely worried because it seems like it’s down to whoever you get. The “I’ll get back to that later” one, I could tell right away he had decided to score me 0 on everything, I knew it. But conversely I once had a PIP review and the healthcare PROFESSIONAL took one look at me, and said “I can see you’re in a clear state of distress so I’m just going to confirm there have been no changes in circumstances and medication and then we can get you back home okay?” Very reassuring, And when I asked what happened next he said “I’ll send this report and unless the DWP disagree you should get an extended award” he smiled and had me in and out in 5 minutes. My award was extended another 2 years. 

    I’ve never seen him even working there since so I imagine compassion isn’t something they encourage. But I am grateful to him and I wish more would follow his example. 

    I really don’t know how those who pledged themselves to the medical profession, to helping people when they most need it can wind up working here, using dodgy tricks, lying and treating you so badly.
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      denby · 1 years ago
      @Doctor I once took a neighbour to an assessment at the MK centre and the assessor was genuinely lovely and did not mind being recorded. But when a while later I took someone else there there was no assessor out of 5 willing to be recorded despite due notice being given. So Iikewise concluded the genuine ones tend not to last in the job. Wonder why?
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    Jill Azzouzi. · 1 years ago
    I was told my assedsor was allergic to cats. She told me to pick my cat up and put her outside. I explained i couldnt do that and my cat uses the window to go in and out. She has no allergic reaction in my home at all and i knew this was only a test. When my cat did use the window she stopped asking. My cat moults very badly so if she was allergic it would have happened anyway. It didn't.  They haven't given me points fir things i clearly cant do and told them so as well. 
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    David · 1 years ago
     After home visit requests accompanied with GPs letters confirming Acrophobia, epilepsy and plantar fascias , it took three months, after the benefit cut off date, for an assessor to carry out a home visit. On arrival was accompanied by a colleague who was introduced as a person to oversea the assessment procedure!. I was in attendance as a Welfare rights advocate, I was immediately informed after making an intervention 'I was not allowed to speak on behalf of the customer' when I attempted to dispute this comment, the assessor looked toward her colleague who agreed. with her premise. Realising this was going to impact on the assessment held back, then asked could this be given to me in writing, this was refused! A mobility assessment was performed with the customer wearing slippers walking a short distance across his living room carpeted floor. When the result of this sham assessment was received, on Mobility it stated 'Can plan and follow a journey unaided' 'Can stand and then move around more than 200 metres unaided'  Zero points awarded. A consideration request was submitted, suggesting the Decision Maker look up the definition of the medical condition Acrophobia, likewise the mobility test criteria doesn't constitute a short walk across a persons living room floor wearing slippers. The decision maker acknowledged this request and revised the decision, to one 'You cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person, etc' Award revised to 12 points and the Enhanced Rate of PIPs 
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    Giova · 1 years ago
    Disgraceful, shameful, appalling.
    I was assessed by an ambulance driver. I was advised to send specific info about my MS which she never read .I demanded a copy of her report and it was a load of lies. She paid no attention to what I said and made her decision in advance of the meeting. She had no idea of the complexity, unpredictability and variable nature of MS nor any idea of the
    symptoms she couldn’t give a toss!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Mike · 1 years ago
      @Doctor Mine was a paramedic, when asking me questions she looked up to the ceiling as I replied, stop rambling the answer is a straight yes or no. That is the problem really we try to explain ourselves clear!y when we should be just saying no to most questions.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Doctor · 1 years ago
      @Giova I had the same experience with an ambulance driver, I knew the moment I walked in the door he had decided to score me zero. I don’t know how they justify this awful behaviour to themselves. My condition is complex too and I fear explaining it to them, because I often have difficulty explaining it to professionals, who are shocked that someone 30 years old has the condition I do, which is not normally seen until later in life.

      These assessments are terrifying, every letter I get causes me anxiety because I just expect it to be another WCA or PIP assessment. 

      I live in pain that most of them could scarcely imagine, I shouldn’t have to fear them too. 

      All the best for you, and I hope you manage 
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    Trixiegirl17 · 1 years ago
    At my last face to face assessment the assessor placed a cup of water on the desk, just out of my reach and then made an excuse to leave the room. My son picked up the water and helped me as my hands are very painful. When she returned my son pointed out he had helped. She was visibly annoyed. 
    Another time the assessor began asking me questions while waiting for someone to bring recording equipment.  My carer politely asked her to wait and she got up and walked out without a word.  Came back 10 minutes later with recording equipment.  
    My first assessment they told me if I couldn't walk downstairs they needed to cancel as if there was a fire I would be unable to get out. I had requested ground floor as I am in a wheelchair.  I simply expect these tricks now. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Marie · 1 years ago
    My assessor asked me to stand on my tip toes Lolo .polyarthritis .fibromyalgia .angina na liver fibrosis .recoverer cancer .Raynaud's .no carlige in any knees .kidney trouble ..

    I could not walk to office they changed office for me .but did not put it in report ..they broke so many rules a MP got involved ..sandy tricett..exposed the trick venue forcing disabled people to walk 400 MTRS ..sand got it closed down ..they did a illigal move taking my information from before I already won a tribunal ... They are inhuman towards disabled people ..I won a ongoing reward by the time they were exposed and a apology from manager ...
    Admiting there mistake they called it ..and the assessor was not even in the medical profession..just a normal uneducated person .

    The whole area of the DWP for disabled are corrupt .
    We need honest compassionate educated in the field of illnesses in position not hardened people 


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