PIP DWP penalty for breaching one year wait?

I recently had my PIP assessment appointment, after waiting over eleven months. I was given relatively short notice, but still more than the mandatory seven days, and the venue was way out of my area and a very awkward journey. But I was keen to attend rather than wait even longer so I persuaded a friend to take me there. I was ‘assessed’ by a paramedic who had never even heard of my condition and had no idea what its effects might be. He told me that I should expect a decision from the DWP in around six to eight weeks.

In fact I received my decision just three days later. This seemed odd at first, until I noticed that the decision letter was dated exactly 364 days after the date of my original application.

Could it be that the DWP or ATOS face some sort of penalty for breaching a one year wait? If so, I presume that my decision was taken in haste, jumping the queue past others who had already waited more than a year hence forcing them to wait even longer for their decision.

This is just a guess – does anybody know if it is true?

Ash wrote: I recently had my PIP assessment appointment, after waiting over eleven months. I was given relatively short notice, but still more than the mandatory seven days, and the venue was way out of my area and a very awkward journey. But I was keen to attend rather than wait even longer so I persuaded a friend to take me there. I was ‘assessed’ by a paramedic who had never even heard of my condition and had no idea what its effects might be. He told me that I should expect a decision from the DWP in around six to eight weeks.

In fact I received my decision just three days later. This seemed odd at first, until I noticed that the decision letter was dated exactly 364 days after the date of my original application.

Could it be that the DWP or ATOS face some sort of penalty for breaching a one year wait? If so, I presume that my decision was taken in haste, jumping the queue past others who had already waited more than a year hence forcing them to wait even longer for their decision.

This is just a guess – does anybody know if it is true?

Hi A,

I think it may be pure coincidence, but who knows what is written in these confidential contracts ?

What I can state is that many, many PIP Claimants have gone well over the 12 months since starting their claim, some are yet to even have a Consultation.

bro58

Hi bro58

I guess you're right. I was just surprised when, after everything else had taken so much longer than promised, the decision that was supposed to take over six weeks arrived in only three days.

And yes, I know people who have had to wait longer than me. I wonder what MPs would think if they had to wait over a year to discover whether or not they would be paid their salary.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Ash