- Posts: 51284
× Members
Cancelled PIP home assessment
- keanda
- Topic Author
10 years 8 months ago #124506 by keanda
Cancelled PIP home assessment was created by keanda
Hi
After waiting for 7 months to get my PIP medical I received the date in the post the day after we buried my brother in law who was only in his late 30's (he died suddenly and unexpectedly) My husband as well as trying to care for me had to also take care of his parents and arrange the funeral, he has been struggling especially with trying to look after me as well. (He has had to take time off during the year to take me to hospital appointments etc) was off his work and was going back the day that they had scheduled my home assessment he was unable to get any more time off work for the assessment. I tried for phoning them as I had hoped to get a cancellation visit whilst he was still off but despite phoning numerous times a day I couldn't get them (weekend, then public holiday and then their computer systems where down for a further 2 days so there was no way I could get the visit before he went back to work) When I did get through and was able to cancel my first appointment I explained the problem and requested it be on or after the 22/9 as he had his 2 week annual leave booked because I have several hospital and clinic appointments, I sent a letter to DWP and to Atos reiterating the situation. Well low and behold they have sent another letter in with a date next week. I am in a state I am also really worried about my husband as he has been struggling all week being at work there is no way I can have this visit without him and the only other people who are fully aware of my health problems (some of which are very embarrasing to discuss in front of strangers) are not going to be able to be with me. I don't know what to do as I know they only allow you to change the appointment once. Also they have arranged a home visit (which surprised me as I didn't request a home visit and didnt think atos did home visits) I am worried that they will send someone out and I will completely fall apart if no-one is at home with me and they turn up. If I cancel the second appointment I assume they will sanction/stop my benefit completely, will I be able to ask for a reconsideration or does it mean I will have to start a new claim.
Thanks
After waiting for 7 months to get my PIP medical I received the date in the post the day after we buried my brother in law who was only in his late 30's (he died suddenly and unexpectedly) My husband as well as trying to care for me had to also take care of his parents and arrange the funeral, he has been struggling especially with trying to look after me as well. (He has had to take time off during the year to take me to hospital appointments etc) was off his work and was going back the day that they had scheduled my home assessment he was unable to get any more time off work for the assessment. I tried for phoning them as I had hoped to get a cancellation visit whilst he was still off but despite phoning numerous times a day I couldn't get them (weekend, then public holiday and then their computer systems where down for a further 2 days so there was no way I could get the visit before he went back to work) When I did get through and was able to cancel my first appointment I explained the problem and requested it be on or after the 22/9 as he had his 2 week annual leave booked because I have several hospital and clinic appointments, I sent a letter to DWP and to Atos reiterating the situation. Well low and behold they have sent another letter in with a date next week. I am in a state I am also really worried about my husband as he has been struggling all week being at work there is no way I can have this visit without him and the only other people who are fully aware of my health problems (some of which are very embarrasing to discuss in front of strangers) are not going to be able to be with me. I don't know what to do as I know they only allow you to change the appointment once. Also they have arranged a home visit (which surprised me as I didn't request a home visit and didnt think atos did home visits) I am worried that they will send someone out and I will completely fall apart if no-one is at home with me and they turn up. If I cancel the second appointment I assume they will sanction/stop my benefit completely, will I be able to ask for a reconsideration or does it mean I will have to start a new claim.
Thanks
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Gordon
- Offline
Less More
10 years 8 months ago - 10 years 8 months ago #124509 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Cancelled PIP home assessment
Keanda
I am afraid that unless you made it clear that you were unavailable until 22/9, rather than you did not want an appointment in the interim, ATOS will argue that they are within their rights to book an earlier appointment.
As you have pointed out, your difficulty is that this is now a second appointment and under normal circumstances if you try an arrange it again, ATOS will return your file to the DWP which can result in your claim being closed. Any such Decision can be challenged but will likely take months to resolve with no guarantee of success.
The best I can suggest is that you contact ATOS and take the position that they have booked an appointment for a time that you told them that you were not available and it is therefore their error, however, if they insist on retaining the current date, I am afraid there is little that you can about this other than to attend.
ATOS have stated an intention to hold the majority of assessments at one of the PIP offices, but they are required to provide home assessments if needed.
Gordon
I am afraid that unless you made it clear that you were unavailable until 22/9, rather than you did not want an appointment in the interim, ATOS will argue that they are within their rights to book an earlier appointment.
As you have pointed out, your difficulty is that this is now a second appointment and under normal circumstances if you try an arrange it again, ATOS will return your file to the DWP which can result in your claim being closed. Any such Decision can be challenged but will likely take months to resolve with no guarantee of success.
The best I can suggest is that you contact ATOS and take the position that they have booked an appointment for a time that you told them that you were not available and it is therefore their error, however, if they insist on retaining the current date, I am afraid there is little that you can about this other than to attend.
ATOS have stated an intention to hold the majority of assessments at one of the PIP offices, but they are required to provide home assessments if needed.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 10 years 8 months ago by Gordon.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Moderators: Gordon, Gary, BIS, Catherine, Wendy, Kelly, greekqueen, peter, Katherine, Super User, Chris, David