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PIP decisions
I am convinced that there is already a plan to change the descriptors, as if applied properly the current ones will not achieve the planned cull
Definitely agree with this.
I am convinced that there is already a plan to change the descriptors, as if applied properly the current ones will not achieve the planned cull
Definitely agree with this.
Me too; a plan first stumbled onto with ESA and demonstrated nicely so far.
Am wondering if this is the worst so far - client claimed PIP on 21 May. Had home visit for the assessment on 6 August. His wife phoned pretty much every week, I phoned several times, usual nonsense every time about chasing it up with Atos. She went to the local MP in November, got phone call from PIP apologising for the delay but - guess what - still no decision. More phone calls from her and me. Today PIP admitted they had lost the report and that Atos do not keep a hard copy once they have scanned it in to send to PIP. Has to have new assessment - 15 January. PIP keep telling us they have no system or means to chase up Atos either for assessment dates or reports so I have no confidence whatsoever that there won’t be further delays following the second assessment. Client had a devastating stroke a year ago, is about to lose his job at the age of 50 and has significant disability which is now unlikely to improve much. I have never known things as bad as they are now in the benefits system in 29 years as a WRO.
We are still awaiting outcomes of new applications submitted from June….
Despite direct contact with both Capita and PIP staff in DWP we are no further forward in identifying why such long delays. Requesting a call back from the PIP side is challenging…...five days wait and if not received a further five days…....no apparent route to escalate any concerns.
It would appear from some of the other posts that when awards are made they are potentially at a higher rate than perhaps may have been achieved under DLA??
So if the costs are going to rise instead of fall, PIP is not achieving the intended outcomes therefore not surprising the entire process appears to have been brought to a virtual standstill…......
We are still awaiting outcomes of new applications submitted from June….
Despite direct contact with both Capita and PIP staff in DWP we are no further forward in identifying why such long delays. Requesting a call back from the PIP side is challenging…...five days wait and if not received a further five days…....no apparent route to escalate any concerns.
Liz, I had the ‘5 day call back’ offered 3 times and finally after several weeks spoke to PIP officer at Bootle.
The discussion was on the inordinate length of time that claims were taking at every stage, especially when an assessment is passed to ATOS (our area). A brief summary of information given:
• Within the DLA process the D/Ms had some degree of control.
• Under the agreed PIP process they have none. They are totally separated from the assessment provider.
• No lines of communication (their exact words!)
• Delays were due to the ‘Robust’ quality assurance procedure which Parliament insisted upon?
My query to Bootle re the call back was for a client who had claimed 24/06/13, went to assessment/face to face on 02/08/13. As of 12/12/13 claim still held with ATOS quality assurance as they may need further information!! (You could not make this up)
When I enquired about their B/Fs system and how long a Case Manager would sit and wait for a claim which had been made and gone through assessment/ face to face to be passed to them?
Under DLA we all remember being told that Fact Reports were requested on such and such a date and they had a B/F to chase it up in 2 or 4 weeks.
The answer given was “ in reality, 6 months is not unexpected” I enquired if they would wait 12 months before chasing up my clients report (bearing in mind, the lost assessment in the post above) Apparently 12 month between claim and decision would be too long!
Tried to discuss what the Service level Agreements were between ATOS/PIP, that they could be forced to meet, apparently these have been suspended due to ‘operational issues’….Not much I could say after that.
Well that’s my rant for the end of 2013…Keep the faith WELFs
Mick did you get a direct line at all for your PIP contact in Bootle?
We have just called again for our client and have been informed a call back ‘should’ be made by 08/01/2014 but ‘if not, do call again’.
The helpline confirmed again that there is also no escalation procedure for PIP…....
Liz, e-mail me on .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Cheers
Am wondering if this is the worst so far - client claimed PIP on 21 May. Had home visit for the assessment on 6 August. His wife phoned pretty much every week, I phoned several times, usual nonsense every time about chasing it up with Atos. She went to the local MP in November, got phone call from PIP apologising for the delay but - guess what - still no decision. More phone calls from her and me. Today PIP admitted they had lost the report and that Atos do not keep a hard copy once they have scanned it in to send to PIP. Has to have new assessment - 15 January. PIP keep telling us they have no system or means to chase up Atos either for assessment dates or reports so I have no confidence whatsoever that there won’t be further delays following the second assessment. Client had a devastating stroke a year ago, is about to lose his job at the age of 50 and has significant disability which is now unlikely to improve much. I have never known things as bad as they are now in the benefits system in 29 years as a WRO.
Would local MP consider a referral direct to the Parliamentary Ombudsman I wonder? Admittedly it will have to go through the normal complaint mechanism which is a PITA however I’ve found the ombudsman’s reference number to be surprisingly effective oil for those wheels…