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Yes      I must say that's actually a very good idea. As an advisor I've lost count of the number of times a client has said to me "I thought they'd sent the wrong person's report. That's not me and not what I said at all".

Hi -

This will be wonderful if it is brought in, I was migrated onto PIP in 2016, the health professionals report from the home visit was a pack of lies from start to finish.

After being in receipt of enhanced benefit for both for over 10 years after life saving surgery, on my renewal I was reduced to standard on both parts. I had separated from my mentally abusive partner and advised to leave the relationship by my GP, which I did, and went to live with my daughter for six months before being well enough to move into my own apartment. I still had daily help with tasks etc and my condition had deteriorated. I was at rock bottom on my personal assessment, left waiting two hours beyond my appointment time and left to make my way outside with my walking stick during a fire drill on a cold November afternoon. My daughter had to leave me to collect children from school and I explained this but it stated I’d attended alone. No consideration for my circulatory condition and offices had closed before I left. I was delayed and upset when the paperwork came through and cried for days as it seemed as if the assessor’s comments did not match what was said on the day. I was persuaded to do the mandatory reconsideration and was only allowed to keep my vehicle as I’d visited my GP the year before relating to memory issues. Her evidence gave me the extra two points I needed. They refused to reconsider my daily living component and I had no energy to take it further. Prior to the assessment I had received a phone call and set of paperwork from another branch of the DWP stating as I’d been on the enghanced rate for so long, and my age, to complete the paperwork and I could possibly be due more money. I would’ve love to have shared my report before a decision was made as certainly would have challenged it. In hindsight I think the offer of more money was just too incidental and am convinced that is the reason why my daily component was dropped. I feel DWP must be made answerable to the impact on genuine claimants as I have lived in constant debt on my credit card since mine was reduced. 

When I first claimed for PIP I was initially refused. The summary letter pointed out the reasons why I was refused. It seemed that at best my assessor had made misleading comments about me and at worst had outright lied in fact and by omission. I had recorded the conversation, with her knowledge and consent and when my assessment came through I mentioned that the conversation had been recorded by myself and I was willing to make it available so that the actual facts of the conversation could be revealed. I think it is very necessary to receive these reports so that we know why we are being assessed the way we are. In my case I appealed and would have taken it to tribunal but I was dreading having to do so as I was exhausted and demeaned by the whole process. Fortunately I got awarded the lower rate, daily component with nothing for mobility. I was happy to accept it as I was certainly not going to risk losing it. 

Im currently a pip claimant enhanced on both parts. I had to go through a mandatory reconsideration to get here though after the health professional who assessed me literally lied on almost everything i was questioned on.

A good idea, lots of lies from my assessor, said I sounded cheerful and coped with telephone assessment easily and was on my own, despite breaking down in tears with stress, and my husband talking to the assessor for 5 minutes explaining how my depression affected me. I can only hope the DWP reviewer listens to any discrepancies mentioned by claimant, and takes it onboard!

Definitely a good idea. When I finally got a copy of my assessment report, I found that she had not understood (to give her the benefit of the doubt!) things I had said.  I have had half of my tongue removed and my right tonsil and part of the wall of my throat and pharynx (which enables the formation of hard sounds like g (guh) and ck) followed by 6 weeks radiotherapy . I therefore  have an open airway and trouble with my speech.  I got no points for communication difficulties NO POINTS! I do now get higher living and higher mobility but I had to go as far as a tribunal appeal, when the DWP backed down. I think someone actually read my medical statements and my application at that point.  Had I seen the assessment it would have saved me weeks of stress and wasted time. I also suffer from anxiety and depression and found out that she had said “she was not sweating or shaking or showing signs of anxiety” .

My assessment report stated i turned up for the assessment alone when it was a phone assessment and they didnt ask me if anybody else was in the house with me they also said i enjoyed going shopping regularly when in fact i said my daughter tries to make me go shopping with her and we always have a big standoff over it i went from high rate to 0 points with a condition that my dr has told them i wont get better and they cant keep it under control but they have decided its under control and after 40 years with this im miraculously cured because they have decided i am

In my report it confirmed I engage well with no issues with people as I see my gp Well I have to see my GP each month and blood tests to get my prescription I do not call this socialisation and giong out which I really struggle with and have support for this but no mention of that

Sounds like a good idea. Factual inaccuracies will be easily corrected at first opportunity. I`m concerned they will be so overwhelmed with corrections they will cook up a reason to discontinue or shelve the idea permanently.

The refusal to continue PIP for my daughter following appeal was full of false statements.  We are awaiting a tribunal but it has been held up because the tribunal believes comments made by the DWP in response could be harmful to my daughter and needs to be assessed by a judge before we can see it.  Utterly bewildering and so incredibly stressful.

Yes definatly my assessment report had lies in and whatever i told them i couldent do they decided i could even though ive had the same disorder from a child and my mental health worker has told them it wont change and they cant control it and theyve still stopped my pip

If I had access to my report prior to the DWP decision my challenge may well have put me back into the higher payment I was already receiving instead of reducing it by a series of untruths and clear and deliberate omissions by the assessor. This only came to light after I applied for a copy of my interview which took 12 weeks to arrive. 

HCP ignored, misinterpreted and lied about the main aspects of my assessment. I wish I’d made a formal complaint against her, but I was busy with my MR. By contrast the DWP DM who phoned me after I’d submitted my MR was lovely. Had DWP shared the HCP’s report, I could have clarified everything. However, I don’t think phoning an applicant is a good idea initially. The report needs to be posted to the applicant for written comments and further evidence - like an MR but before any actual decision has been made.

Assessment stated I had no treatment for Chronic Fatigue that is because I don't have Chronic Fatique.My fatigue/ concen tration/memory problems is caused by PTSD nightmares, lack of sleep was verified by a consultant.All information provided  ignored.The written information from the assessor contradicted itself. I had a good rapport with assessor answered all questions withoutquestions being repeate No concentration/memory issues.I was also hesitant,didn't answer questions fully was distressed.DWPAppeal supported the report.Had I seen report before decision outcome might have been different.

Yes, great idea. Save loads of time all round.

The system is a joke and i would certainly welcome the chance for my assessment to be re looked at... Where do I sign up

While I totally agree that 'Sharing Assessment Reports' for the most part would be an excellent idea & have always thought that this should be the 'Default' setting for any claimant involved in the arduous process of claiming DWP benefits. Surely it's only going to be as 'Good' as the DWP's willingness to actually action any discrepancies claimants & their advisors wish to 'Clarify' with them!  As has been shown time & time again, the DWP is an unwilling participant in its own policies & the cynic in me remains sceptical of this 'Test' & left wondering what their ulterior motive might be!   

Yes it would have made a massive difference. My son has autism and is very easily steered in a conversation. The report from our telephone assessment was so wrong, they didn't listen to what I said, as his Mother and carer, they completely ignored me and the report was a work of fiction.