'Instant' Medical - DLA to PIP ?

Good evening All ...

I submitted my PIP 2, complete with a GP's Factual Report ('FR'), which FR was in fact a repeated copy by my GP submitted previously directly to DWP in July 2013 for DLA - the FR confirmed everything and DLA was granted, including high rate mobility.

His revised comment now, and marked for 'PIP', was that as there was minimal change, save for deterioration in mobility and limited to a few metres.

The PIP 2 48 pages) and 40 pages (incl GP's FR) of supporting dox were submitted by 1st Class Recorded and received on Thurs.5th Feb '15 - on Fri. 6th Feb Capita acknowledged receipt from DWP - on Sunday 8th Feb Capita sent medical appointment letter - i.e. it took a mere 2 days to purportedly read and assess my supporting dox.

Is this usual ? As i have read that the nomination for medicals usually take weeks or months to be arranged ? It seems mine was 'done in some haste' ? Could this be because my DLA expires in mid-March and it is being rushed through ?

Without wishing to appear over cynical ... i feel an appeal already coming on !

I did enclose a copy ESA Tribunal award to me also from 18 months ago, which confirmed my 'lack of mobilisation' ...which in the GP's FR had deteriorated.

Medical is imminent, and taking helper/carer as witness.

Any views appreciated.

All the best, DandyBoy

Although many claims are taking a very long time to be decided, we have heard of people who have been dealt with in double quick time - with varying results, so I don't think you can draw any conclusions from this.

Many thanks for the comment Mrs H. Will post what occurred at medical appt., and eventual result in early course.

Merci Madam

Update -

Had a medical appointment letter which date was inconvenient due to bereavement - i rearranged with Capita for a specific date (after lengthy chat) which date would enable my professional assistant to attend within her commitments - i then received a letter confirming this (or so i thought) ... we attended on the 'agreed' appt date, only to find out that the date was made for a month later ... and there was no appt that day...i had misread/hadn't focused on the letter.

I arranged everything with my assistant to attend on the new appt day in the letter, she has dovetailed her commitments accordingly ... i also made arrangements to meet with my own GP to obtain further evidence, and obtain copy X-rays ...all in good time for the new appt. ... i have now received another letter bringing the appt forward by two weeks, and within 5 days of an invasive cardiac hospital appt of which they were made aware with my DLA>PIP application.

I am supposed to take it very easy for a few days after to avoid complications, especially as i am T2 diabetic and on warfarin. I have also been told this morning that my designated assistant will not be able to attend at such short notice.

I was told before by Capita it was set in stone that a 2nd change of appointment could not be made as i would be sanctioned and benefits stopped. 'They' have now done it twice in the space of a week ! I asked if i would now be penalised and got no answer.

I have had a terse conversation this morning, where i am now told that the reason for the change is that the former HP can no longer do the appt in the letter, and the only day available to the new HP is the one given (for a diff location)... even if it means you can't bring anyone with you, and/or it clashes with post-op care - you're just unlucky !

So much for 'encouraging' people to have witnesses to come along ... i asked to speak to someone more senior that the telephone operator and was told that there was no-one ...

especially since i also believed that they had also thus far failed to comply with DWP guidelines ...
viz. p.65 PIP 2015 - B&W
Atos and Capita have been told by the DWP that they:
“should strongly consider requesting further evidence before calling for a consultation a
claimant who is noted to have an appointee or in a case where there is evidence of a
previous suicide attempt, suicidal ideation or self harm – or in other cases where the
claimant is vulnerable. By gathering further evidence the HP may have sufficient information
to complete a paper-based review which may be preferable in these cases to avoid distress
to the claimant.” I won't elaborate here... but it is relevant.

Also because of the possible risks of me being post-op incapacitated and unable to attend the DWP medical and then being penalised for non-attendance, let alone any risk factor, i have had to cancel the cardiac investigation, which i had been waiting two months for, and which the stroke clinic urged me 'not to miss'.

This really is so stressful and adding unnecessary grief ... and seemingly no recourse !
All the best,
DandyBoy

DandyBoy wrote: Update -

Had a medical appointment letter which date was inconvenient due to bereavement - i rearranged with Capita for a specific date (after lengthy chat) which date would enable my professional assistant to attend within her commitments - i then received a letter confirming this (or so i thought) ... we attended on the 'agreed' appt date, only to find out that the date was made for a month later ... and there was no appt that day...i had misread/hadn't focused on the letter.

I arranged everything with my assistant to attend on the new appt day in the letter, she has dovetailed her commitments accordingly ... i also made arrangements to meet with my own GP to obtain further evidence, and obtain copy X-rays ...all in good time for the new appt. ... i have now received another letter bringing the appt forward by two weeks, and within 5 days of an invasive cardiac hospital appt of which they were made aware with my DLA>PIP application.

I am supposed to take it very easy for a few days after to avoid complications, especially as i am T2 diabetic and on warfarin. I have also been told this morning that my designated assistant will not be able to attend at such short notice.

I was told before by Capita it was set in stone that a 2nd change of appointment could not be made as i would be sanctioned and benefits stopped. 'They' have now done it twice in the space of a week ! I asked if i would now be penalised and got no answer.

I have had a terse conversation this morning, where i am now told that the reason for the change is that the former HP can no longer do the appt in the letter, and the only day available to the new HP is the one given (for a diff location)... even if it means you can't bring anyone with you, and/or it clashes with post-op care - you're just unlucky !

So much for 'encouraging' people to have witnesses to come along ... i asked to speak to someone more senior that the telephone operator and was told that there was no-one ...

especially since i also believed that they had also thus far failed to comply with DWP guidelines ...
viz. p.65 PIP 2015 - B&W
Atos and Capita have been told by the DWP that they:
“should strongly consider requesting further evidence before calling for a consultation a
claimant who is noted to have an appointee or in a case where there is evidence of a
previous suicide attempt, suicidal ideation or self harm – or in other cases where the
claimant is vulnerable. By gathering further evidence the HP may have sufficient information
to complete a paper-based review which may be preferable in these cases to avoid distress
to the claimant.” I won't elaborate here... but it is relevant.

Also because of the possible risks of me being post-op incapacitated and unable to attend the DWP medical and then being penalised for non-attendance, let alone any risk factor, i have had to cancel the cardiac investigation, which i had been waiting two months for, and which the stroke clinic urged me 'not to miss'.

This really is so stressful and adding unnecessary grief ... and seemingly no recourse !
All the best,
DandyBoy

Hi DB,

This is awful !!

It may be time to make an official complaint to Capita :

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

You could also complain to your M.P. : Contacting your MP

Please keep us updated.

bro58

I agree with bro, it is totally unacceptable that a claimant should be expected to postpone medical/surgical treatment in order to attend a face2face assessment for benefits I think your surgeon should be made aware of this.