I have read on another forum of an applicant being told by the DWP that they are no longer sending out copies of assessment reports to applicants prior to a decision being made on their award. Has anyone else been told this? I called the DWP 3 weeks ago to request a copy of my report and never received it in the 10 days I was originally quoted. So I called last week and again this week and was told on both occasions that my report had not yet been sent out because of staff shortages but would be so in due course. I am beginning to think they were just lying and I will indeed receive my award details before my copy of my assessment report arrives! Anyone know why this could be? It has been just over 6 weeks since my assessment and I have also just read that the waiting time for DLA to PIP applicants from assessment to award is now 17 weeks! It is getting rediculous and it is so hard knowing who to believe!
If the DWP have decided to no-longer send out reports prior to a decision on the award, then I wonder if it's a ploy to stop people getting prepared to ask for a mandatory reconsideration or whatever it's called.
Or and probably a silly question this, but are there more than one DWP venues, only my report took exactly 10 days to arrive, so I wonder if it is to do with area's. The address on my report said it was from Mail Handling Site B Wolverhampton.
I live in Devon.
Stress levels are high enough anyway without having to wait 17 Weeks for a decision or a copy of the report, as you say TCake, it's hard knowing who to believe.
I recently asked for a copy of my assessment report but was told that the DWP only send out a report within 10 days if the claimant was making an appeal against the decision.
As I only wished a copy for my records I was told that I had to write to the local benefits office (via the post handling centre in Wolverhampton) and request a copy. It was highly likely that my request would take sometime to process, if at all.
I suppose one day some clever cloggs will use the Freedom of Information Act to speed things up, but due to staff storages we are stuck with the present system.
"I wonder if it's a ploy to stop people getting prepared to ask for a mandatory reconsideration or whatever it's called." I completely agree with you there!
Thanks - I just rang the number which I was given on my ATOS invite to assessment. I don't know what they are playing at but it doesn't seem very professional of them to send out reports to some without hesitation, tell other that they can only have a copy if they are requesting a MD and tell others probably damn right lies - like they are understaffed and a copy will be sent out at some point!
Yes this has happened to me Hun. I was on PIP regarding my mental health, Bipolar Disorder. I went for my assessment it was heartbreaking the assessor began crying and hugging me because it got to her yet I received a letter telling me I was no longer entitled? I scored 0 on everything apparently even though the assessor made me sign a piece of paper saying I consent to her contacting my gp, cpn and psychiatrist as 'she was concerned about my mental health/state and the effects it's having on my day to day life' so I went and got some advice. And phoned dwp to tell them I'm putting in for mandatory reconsideration and I want a copy of my assessors report his words were; 'I cannot issue you the AR today it will take over another 2 weeks or more as it has to be sent to the case manager so they can double check it and for medical reasons and erm, erm, something erm, confidentiality but erm, as soon as it can be sent out it will be. But the case manager has to do it' Soooo, not too sure where that leaves me? Because the MR you have 28 days? So by the time the assessment comes it will be cutting it very, very short. As to what I've read, heard and witnessed they are just trying to cut PIP down dramatically without a care about how this affects the person they're doing it to! Ridiculous and inconsiderate doesn't hit the mark.
That is terrible! I bet your report was in favour of you receiving an award and they want to alter it before you see it! If they do that then I honestly cannot understand how they can sleep at night knowing they have commited fraud - which it is! Keep us updated and make sure you get professional advice and support with you MD. Good luck and stay strong x
The DWP do seem to be shifting tack on this.
From what I know from the PIP regulations there is nothing in them or in any other relevant regulation that puts the DWP on notice to issue these reports prior to the appeal bundle being sent out.
Maybe someone could confirm or clarify that?
I must say that it does follow in line with the general principle of disclosure. Disclosure only happens when the matter progresses to a court hearing.
If this just happens to thwart claimants by not telling them how or why they failed in their claim then do you really expect the DWP to be otherwise than unhelpful?
Hiya
my report came from the same place as sukes and I live in Yorkshire . I'm wondering if it's just making too much work for them as they are back logged at the minute. I also heard it was taking 17 weeks from DlA to PIP.
My DLA isn't due to end until November so they probably do not class my PIP award as being urgent. If they have a baglog it would make sense for them to deal with new claims first.
Yeah I was thinking that because you don't get it backdated either so there would be no hurry for them to make a decision.
But that doesn't help us that are worrying and waiting for them to get in touch. Where did you hear about the report thing and the 17 weeks?
On the Benefits and work site.
I'm also wondering if the longer you wait the better as people who are disallowed it seem to be finding out sooner , just a thought I could be wrong.
It's a shame about your report you asked for it not long after I got mine I remember.
Yes - but then they told me it was a backlog and it would be sent out at some point. Others are being told they are not allowed a copy unless they already have their decision? Don't know what to believe anymore where the DWP are concerned! What I do know is I am stressed out with the whole PIP thing and just hope that I do get awarded something because the thought of going through a tribunal petrifies me!
I know I feel the same it would be more weeks or months of worry and upset. I know my report was okay but I'm still worried they'll disallow it for some reason.
You could have a point there. For example, say someone who has been receiving DLA (lower care and mobility) has been assessed for a PIP and it was recommended by the assessor that they should receive enhanced care and mobility for PIP - then it would make sense to the DWP to leave it until the last minute to tell the applicant because the hight rate PIP award would only start from the date of their award. Meaning that person would stay on the lower DLA payments until they received their PIP award???
For those who are refused PIP, it makes sense for the DWP to tell them asap so they can stop their DLA payment earlier!
It is all about saving money and taking money off applicants who they deem not sick enough and holding on to money until the last minute of those who are deemed sicker!
My assesser was really kind and I have a feeling she would have written a good report. She told me she didnt want to do any physical assessments on me as she knew I wouldn't be able to do them and she hinted on that she knew I would be award points for PIP and would receive help.
So we should both try and stay positive and think no news is good news!
Yeah because I was on low rate care for years but I've got worse so I would get more money on PIP