Face to face

[Spooky]

Hi Folks, well had my face to face PIP consultation last Tues, rearranged the appointment as 8.10 was never going to happen!! Got 10.10 at the same centre (Bolton) anyone else who is being sent there be warned the carpark may well be opposite but the surface is NOT tarmacked and therefore an accident waiting to happen!!! Kath a very good friend drove me there ad helped me inside before parking up, at least they do make it very clear CCTV in operation. I requested and got a ground floor consultation so only a very short distance to walk, I would definitely recommend requesting that for anyone else who may be sent there. I got a paramedic doing my consult who seemed to know what he was talking about, we shall see lol! It took an hour so about what ATOS sorry Independent Assessments Services rofl say it takes. The sciatica was kicking off nicely so fidget bum the whole time lol. So now I wait for the lovely brown envelope, he said 3/4 weeks after that gee em up. Good luck to everyone else xx

[nomoreheels]

Everything's crossed for the result you need. It's good you were aware of the CCT on arrival & although it's a bit late now but were you also aware that from being called by the assessor to getting to the assessment room you were also being watched? This includes rising from the chair, if you needed any help doing that or if you walked unaided or not. It's just I wasn't & quite coincidentally (yeah) it was 15 metres from the waiting room to the assessment room.

Anyway, think positive thoughts & don't forget to call the DWP to request a copy of the assessor's report, give them a week though then they'll be sure to have it.

[Spooky in reply to nomoreheels]

Hi nomoreheels, yes struggled out of the chair even though it had arms and Kath helped me walk into the downstairs room, it says on the automatic doors (which are locked lol) in large letters CCTV in operation. Crafty bu**as are they not lol. Well hope they were spying during the consultation as no arms on that chair and really struggled getting out of that one, in fact Kath did have to help me.

I will give them a week to be on the safe side, my next door neighbour who has COPD among other things was refused PIP until she appealed stating that she was clearly seen to use her spray three times while waiting and amazing then was told that yes she would get PIP, their own system working against them lol!

[nomoreheels in reply to Spooky]

It was the same at my assessment, chairs with arms in the waiting room but not in the assessment room. Coincidence or intentional, mmm?!

That's awful about your neighbour but so good that their own system caught them out & provided evidence against them. I was only reading last week about a whistleblower, a former GP & ex Atos Mental Health Champion, though for WCA not PIP, still all amounts to the same if his experience was anything to go by. Despite having to sign a confidentiality agreement he went to the press because he was so concerned about what he was told to do, things like amending reports to show fewer points. There were many other underhand things, including claimant's medical evidence not being included with the report & worse. He concluded it not being fit for purpose as it can't adequately take into account health conditions that fluctuate unpredictably! We could tell the PIP assessor's a thing or two about that couldn't we having just such a condition?! Very concerning.

[Angieb1983]

Hi Spooky, having just read your post I think it's disgusting that you have to put up with knowing that they are watching your every move before you even enter the building for your assessment ! Do they not ask for medical reports from our consultants and GP's? Why do they have to "spy" on us too?

I have been diagnosed recently with RA myself, my mobility has been poor for a few months so I have applied for the blue badge. I enclosed my latest hospital letter which stated my mobility was " incredibly poor" and I remained very symptomatic. Guess what? They are sending me for an assessment! I feel like telling them to stick it! It's upsetting you have to justify any help you need. As if coping with this dreadful disease isn't enough!?!

I'm going into hospital tomorrow for multiple joint injections under sedation, I had a full body steroid infusion last week. I'm now on Methotrexate injections plus a shelf full of drugs! I ask for a blue badge and now I have to be assessed. It's a kick in the teeth and stress we don't need.

I sincerely hope you receive the pip, if you cannot work you deserve the financial support. Until five months ago I was running around with SEN teenagers in education!!!

Take care and all the very best

Angie xx

[freesthomas]

Hi there... I hope you are successful in getting what you need. I found myself fidgeting a lot aswell! I too have sciatic pain and the chairs were as hard as nails to sit on for an hour. I live in Wales and was seen by Capita. The decision for me came through Just over two weeks (which is what the automated message in the PIP helpline advises as the eaverage time it is currently taking). Good luck - I was successful so it's not all negative stories xx

[Matilda_1922]

Hi spooky

I applied for PIP late last year. I also tried soon after diagnosis but was rejected in Feb. This time I was more determined. I was aware of CCT outside but not inside. I went alone a friend dropped me off and picked me up but not outside the building as it was behind shops and wasn't sure where it was. I received the outcome approximately 6 weeks later a bit longer than my last one. But was rejected again but I appealed and decision was reversed and now received standard only not mobility.

I saw the CAB who wrote my letter following my phone call for a mandatory appeal and together with all my letters from hospital.

My mistake I should have travelled by taxi in the first place.

Good luck with your application

[BoneyC]

Have you telephoned DWP/JCP to request a copy of the medical report, this can be done before you get the result and should take only 2-3 days to arrive? This will give you an idea of any award you may get.