PIP..... yet again

[peterallison]

Yes, am going through the procedure again (am a glutton for punishment). I have done all the form filling (with help ) and will not attend the assessment on my own, as I have done before. But after talking hearing that some of the stuff Capita says, and blatant lies they and the DWP have said., I am going to record it, as is my right, and if I get turned down again on appeal, and any lies are told by the various departments, then I can say, I did not say that, and have proof.

Has anyone recorded their assessment, and any tips ( I record music as a hobby, so an interview is no problem with a Zoom handheld recorder)

Peter

[Legs-alive]

dma-law.co.uk/is-it-illegal...

[dansybelle]

Hi peter, it’s a really good idea to record the assessment but you need to let them know and they usually have special rules about how it can be done. If you record them secretly, you won’t be able to use it as evidence. My assessment was by Atos and their rules are that you have to use two tape-recorders and hand one of the tapes to them at the end, keeping one for yourself. They don’t make it easy! Argos still sell tape recorders for £50 each. If you are near south London, I am happy to lend you mine.

You are also entitled to ask for a copy of the assessors report as soon as it’s sent to the dwp who make the final decision. Also make sure you send in as much medical evidence as you can. All the doctors and nurses I have seen have been more than happy to help by writing a letter that address the criteria. It’s a good idea to get help from voluntary organisations used to dealing with claims. I got help from fightback4justice- they were great.

Very best of luck- let me know if you want to borrow my tape-recorders.

Solidarity!

Dansybelle

[peterallison in reply to dansybelle]

I can lay my hands on a second recorder I think

[dansybelle in reply to peterallison]

That's great. Make sure you ring DWP first and tell them you want to record the assessment. Your assessment centre might have different rules for recording than mine. Good luck

[Magicalwomanz in reply to dansybelle]

I have to go to my esa assessment again soon althou initially was told had pip until 2021 unsure why I need to fill out esa again and my freedom pass lasts me until 2023 so strange... my conditions much worse than when I first claimed as exaggerated few things as was told had to as they don’t get our condition... in my assessment I argued that no one can b expert as 1-2 in 100,000 people have this exact condition and less than 2% in the UK so how can anyone be expert and every case is different... anyway this time I have told them how it is as is worse but still added few things in... if they think u have one good day out the week u can work and live normal life which is so untrue x I am sw london btw moved from se london it’s good to meet locals with similar condition as haven’t to date yet x

[peterallison in reply to Magicalwomanz]

I agree with what you have said, and yes, some minor exaggeration is called for, where circumstances need it. My bug bear, is that although many have heard the general term "ATAXIA", they do not know its broken down further, into sub categories, and this is where things start to fall apart, as they deem everyone is the same, and me in particular, its a inherited gene, and the "mystical" word is "PROGRESSIVE", and they do not get that. I am a lot worse now in Feb 2019 than I was in April 2018, in terms of walking, energy and general lethargy

[Magicalwomanz in reply to peterallison]

I know it’s so bad how can they be expert when not that many in the UK with it makes me laugh they really haven’t clue but yeah once they start giving it’s near impossible for them to take away as it has been proven ALL cases get worse with age and can happen quickly or slowly EVERY case is different

[Litty]

Goodluck x

I hated the whole process and Capita ended up paying me compensation (that I gave to Ataxia UK).

They hate you recording but you need to tell them. We demanded copy (very interesting reading - many discrepancies).

I think this site are good

advicenow.org.uk/guides/how...

x

[peterallison]

I have bought a simple voice recorder this morning, so I have 2 devices now

[Alip-j]

Go for it. They want people to give up and alot of people think bugger it at the first hurdle.Prepare and be ready for them.We are waiting for a court hearing now.They have made the decision to decline your claim before you start and it's about pushing to prove you deserve it. Good luck and take it all the way.

[SharonPS]

It is not illegal to record the conversation secretly but you must not publish the recording in any way or let anyone hear it (but see exception below). You can make and use such a recording for your own use. If you transcribed the recording into a document then that document may be submitted to a court as evidence and, if the accuracy of the transcript is challenged by the other side, the court may ask you to produce the recording that is the source of the transcription. This has been done in Employment tribunals - see app.croneri.co.uk/feature-a... for more information. Far better to tell them you want a recording done and follow their rules for how it is done then they have no room for maneuver.

[peterallison in reply to SharonPS]

I intend to do just that. I have bought another cheap voice recorder, and they can either have that, OR I can give them the SD card from my own better quality machine