DWP Who are they kidding?

I got this text earlier today.

We 'may' need you to attend a consultation.

Forget the wishy-washy texts and tell me straight. They don't care about stress levels do they!

[Badbessie]

A growing number of PIP decisions are now done on paper work alone. The Doctor will look and if he feels you can be awarded without a consultation then you will be given an award. This is why they say you may need to attend.

[Hidden in reply to Badbessie]

Ah right. Since being a member here I've not noticed anyone saying that they didn't need to go for the medical so was not aware that may be the case.

Just as I was enjoying a rant as well! 😂

[Badbessie in reply to Hidden]

Yes it's becoming more common especially in people with chronic conditions. If you have supporting evidence from GP Nurse or consultant it as been known to happen. Remember there is still a massive backlog of cases and they are trying to clear it.

[Hidden in reply to Badbessie]

Thanks for that BadBessie

[Foxy79 in reply to Hidden]

Hello brisara

I'm foxy79 just wanted to say I have pip and Esa was a lengthy process but eventually got it I didn't need to attend it's cause they gathered all the information before hand and worse thing was they took 13 months due to backlog and was told might need to attend I clearly stated my needs no stairs plus I will need transport and sorry my friend recently it was announced to check and carry indviaul assessment on each case and see if they are geniune case cause of few cons everyone suffers it's hard on know but you have to bug them every other day take care good luck

[Hidden]

They may have a 'need' Brian, which only you can fulfill.

[Kitten-whiskers]

Oh dear Brian, that's awful. Surely they must know that someone with stage 3 COPD can not work, surely a letter from the doctor would be enough - but not these days, damn jobs worths. Your stress levels must be through the roof, what terrible pressure to put on someone who is very poorly. I am afraid I don't know much about DWP (thankfully) but you have my support, sorry I can't be more help xx

[Hidden in reply to Kitten-whiskers]

Thank you KW. It's what I expect from DWP nowadays, and many of you have worse tales than me to tell! My Dr is little help if I'm honest. It's as much as I can do to get an appointment when I need one! Having COPD has made me very cynical about the health service, probably unfairly so but I find it really shocking when I hear the awful way people with a serious illness are treated! Controversial, but this country really can't afford free health care any more so I don't know why politicians pretend we can! I'd rather have paid more in taxes than end up in this mess. Sorry for the rant xx

[Badbessie in reply to Hidden]

Not a rant but an opinion. Luckily I find my health centre very good in most areas. But as you say it's a lottery at times.

[Bevvy in reply to Hidden]

What really annoys me is this "free health care" rubbish. I certainly pay enough in taxes and national insurance...... We DO pay and still get a rubbish health service! To be fair when National Health was envisaged the idea was that by now wouldn't exist because everyone would be so healthy!!

[Hidden in reply to Bevvy]

Good points there Bevvy.

[Kitten-whiskers in reply to Hidden]

Brian I couldn't agree with you more. If I am completely honest, I really do hate the medication profession, what they done to me - I will never be able to trust them, all these years they have left me suffering like hell - they no how I feel and of course even worse how they treat my partner - it's disgraceful I really hope they leave you in peace. Sorry for ranting xx

[Hidden in reply to Kitten-whiskers]

Go for it KW, feel free 👍 xx

[Kitten-whiskers in reply to Hidden]

Sadly it doesn't improve the situation. I could rant for England when it comes to the medical profession x

[Hidden in reply to Kitten-whiskers]

Sadly I agree, but if ranting gets just a tiny bit of upset out rather than suffering, then it's done some good so I'm happy to listen all day to you x

[Kitten-whiskers in reply to Hidden]

That's is so kind - same applies - feel free rant anytime x

[ldwilliams]

be aware that Very few that are transferring over from DLA to PIP get a paper assessment.

Most are face to face assessments

[Hidden in reply to ldwilliams]

Thanks for that ID, I've never claimed before (reviewed to stage 3 copd in April) but I'm not expecting much, if anything at all.

[ldwilliams]

have a look at somewhere like benefitsandwork.co.uk

or the citizens advice site, etc

they have lots of helpful info on how to complete the form, what to say and not say, what to expect at the assessment itself etc

worth being pre-informed i feel

[Hidden]

Everybody gets the msg about may need assessment when DWP acknowledge receipt of the claim because they have not decided at that point. Some do and some don't, no idea of the split. The next thing we heard from them was the payment in the bank a/c followed by the letter with the details of the award.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Ipogle. On the link that IDWilliams posted it says:

If you claim PIP you are extremely likely to have to attend a face-to-face medical assessment, unless you have a terminal illness.

According to the DWP, at March 2014 around 98% of PIP claimants were being asked to attend a face-to-face assessment.

So it seems like I'm more likely to have a medical rather than just a paper assessment.

[LINDA70]

Hi Brisara,

Remember, It's not what disease you have but how it affects you and your activities of daily living. My brother has IPF and will be going to Wythenshaw Hospital in September for assessment for a lung transplant. He had to leave his job last year after 40 yrs service, he's 58yrs old. He was recently turned down for PIP.

From what I've heard, most people here in the NW are turned down.

Hope you have better luck.

Best wishes, L.