-
DPAC Research Six Months and Still Waiting - Testimonies of PIP
Assessment Delays
Disabled People Against Cuts
Six Months and Still Waiting: Testimonies of PIP Assessment
Delays
Summary
This document contains anonymised emails and posts to the
Disabled PeopleAgainst Cuts website from 2013 relating to disabled
people who have applied for
PIP Assessment and have been subject to unacceptable delays.
Prepared by the DPAC Research Team, May 2014Disabled People
Against Cuts:DPAC is a grass roots campaign body. It was formed by
a group of disabled people after the first mass protest against the
austerity cuts and their impact on disabled people held on the 3rd
October in Birmingham 2010, England. It was led by disabledpeople
under the name of The Disabled Peoples Protest. DPAC has over
20,000 members & supporters and an outreach of over 45,000
disabled people. DPAC works with many anti-cuts groups,
Universities, Disabled Peoples Organizations, and
[email protected] www.dpac.uk.net twitter: @
Dis_PPL_Protest
1
-
Table of Contents 1
Introduction........................................................................................................................2
2 Personal
Testimonies.........................................................................................................2
3 Further
Reading...............................................................................................................34
Abbreviations Used
DLA Disability Living Allowance, a UK Disability Benefit which
being replaced by Personal Independ-ence Payments (PIP)
PIP Personal Independence Payment, a UK Disability Benefit which
is replacing Disability Living Allow-ance (DLA)
Capita a private company which has been contracted by the DWP to
perform PIP Assessments
ATOS - a private company which has been contracted by the DWP to
perform PIP Assessments
ESA Employment and Support Allowance UK Government Sickness
Benefit
BMA British Medical Association
DWP Department for Work and Pensions - UK Government
Department
GP General Practitiioner (Medical Doctor)
HMCTS Her Majestys Courts and Tribuneral Service
NAO National Audit Office
JSA Job Seekers Allowance
MP Member of Parliament
WCA Work Capability Assessment test for claimants right to claim
the ESA Benefit
WRAG Work Related Activity Group
1 IntroductionThis document contains anonymised emails and posts
to the Disabled People Against Cuts website from 2013 relating to
disabled people who have applied for PIP Assessment and have been
subject to unacceptable delays.
For further reading on this subject, see section 3.
2 Personal TestimoniesNote: The testimonies included in this
document are presented completely un-edited, except to remove
personally identifiable information. Many of these testimonies are
extremely distressing, and where people have expressed anger and
frustration at their situation by use of extreme language, this has
been left in the testimony, un-modified.
Page 2
-
Waited from July till end of August for assessment
Applied for pip end of august had a face to face assessmenton
the 15th November. Dwp have still not received the reportfrom
capita.I have a movement disorder dystonia which effects my
wholebody,I sometimes can not speak,walk, or see due to spasms. My
life is on hold can not go out due to parking getting in to a
wheelchair or using my walking aid in a normal parking space is a
joke! I have called capita on several occasions to be told that
there is a back log. My report is in the process of seniors waiting
to be checked. I feel sorry for all the people waiting for
assessments and decisions atos, capita to get there act
together.
Still waiting I rang DWP to be told ATOS have 6 weeks to return
the hard copy of the assessment. Ye when I rang ATOS they told me
They had no right to tell me that !!!Lies lies n more lies while
people suffer
The link at the bottom of this post provides details of what my
son expereinced on the day of his assessment, which we only took
because they could not provide a home assessment in our area. A
formal compliant was made with them on the day of the assessment
(17/01). They claim to have written what they refer to as an
aknowledgement and apology letter which they say is dated 31/01 yet
it has still not arrived. I have written to my local MP and he has
written toPaul Pindar the Chief Exec of Capita.
I have spoken with one of the Capita Health Professionals today
and they have confirmed that they do have sufficient evidence to
confirm my sons diagnosis (letter from Neurologist and outcome of
most recent MRI) but according to them they do not have sufficient
information to establish the functional impact the disease has on
my sons day to day living. I responded with the fact that they do
have this as this is what is described in the questionnaire, but
irrespective of diagnosis, they are unable to take the claimants
word for it, even though the PIP literature says that face to face
assessments may not be necessary if they have been sent sufficient
information. What they are telling me on the phone appears to be in
conflict with the literature.
My arguement is that there are certain medical diagnosis such as
chronic, incurable diseases and those that are terminal, where the
medical diagnosis itself and the words of the person battling to
deal with the disease should be sufficient for Capita to complete a
paper based assessment without the trauma of putting someone
through the ordeal of having to prove what they can no longer do
when what they should be doing is putting aside what theyve lost to
startfocusing on what they can do.
I have got Capita to agree that what they want is reassurance
that the claimant (my son) is notlying. It is their policy to have
this validated (through interviews) and they have an approach where
one size fits all. This is what I have a problem with. The approach
they take to weed out the benefits cheats is not the approach they
shoudl be applying to people that are clearly vulnerable and facing
life challenges that most healthy people would not understand.
A serious medical diagnosis should be sufficient to reassure the
Capita Heath Professionals that the claimant is likely to be
telling the truth. However, I am going to get my sons MS Nurse and
GP to sign a letter stating that the functional impacts my son
describes in his questionnaire
Page 3
-
are line line with his medical diagnosis. This should be
sufficient and if it is, should be adopted as the standard approach
for a specific list of conditions.
This approach would be in line with the existing government
approach to Medical Exemption Certificates, whereby the claimant
describes how his / her condition affects him / her in an official
form and the GP signs it. This is what I did for my son and he now
holds a Medical Exemption Certificate which I got for him without
the need for a stressful assessment.
I feel really strongly about protecting vulnerable people from
being put through the stress of these assessments. I have seen
first hand how much harm they can do and want to do everything
possible to prevent people who do not have Mums, Partners, Siblings
or Good Friends to fight their corner for them as I have for my
son. It breaks my heart when I witness thestress this is causing my
son and makes me weant to cry when I continually read similar
storiesfrom people in desperate need of support.
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&srcid=0B6ibkdzG17YyUXQ0WE1kOEQ1Y0k
Its worth mentioning that my son was registered as disabled
without the need for an assessment and was approved for a blue
badge without the need for an assessment.
In both cases, I described how James is functionally impacted by
his disease and provided copies of the Medical Diagnosis from his
Neurologist, his latest scan results and a timeline of events back
to the date when he was first referred to a Neurologist (in July
2013) and they accepted this as being sufficient evidence of his
need for help being a genuine one.
PIP should be the same!
I dread to think how much of our taxes are being wasted putting
peoplethrough these assessments unecessarily.
I applied at the start of august 2013 had my assesment 2nd of
January 2014 and they still as of todays date 6th of February 2014
have NOT sent the report back to the DWP !The place for the
assesment had no parking so had to pay and display so also ended up
with a parking ticket also still as yet have not had the travel
expenses repaid.
After the assessment I was left in severe pain due to the woman
not listening to a word i said about my walking or the use of my
hands and arms. Because i said i can put a microwave meal in a
microwave that means i can cook for myself i did try to explain
there is no way i could take it out again safely and take it to
atale to actually eat the food but that didnt count. Because i
canget a taxi from my house to a destination that also means i am
able to use public transport again wouldnt listen when i said thats
all well and good what do i do at the destination sit on the
pavement and hope a random stranger will push my wheelchair for me
. but hey they know best i guess !!!I have no blue badge ( as i
cant get one without having pips)I have no help besides ESA which
atos also did the assessment forand i had to appeal and won my
appeal. My health is deterioratingby the day due to not been able
to leave the house as i can no
Page 4
-
longer drive the manual car i have, depression is setting in I
wait daily for the post man with the news from DWP.
I applied 29 th Aug 2013 still waiting for home visit [Posted
Feb 7th 2014]
Applied start of August 2013, had letter from DWP requesting
details, all sent and received by DWP before end August 2013 and
have heard nothing since. Phoned Atos who said they received the
deails from DWP in August 2013 but still no appointment or letter
of acknowledgement from Atos.Have phoned Atos twice (last
conversation was Feb 7th) was told not tophone as it was a waste of
time, I was in a queue, not near the top for an appointment and
would have to wait my turn.The lady I spoke to also was very abrupt
and not inthe slightest helpful. I have also seen report that after
the assesment it could take atleast a 2 months for Atos to complete
/ audit there report, then DWP has to decideSo it seems like to
whole process could take over 1 year to get a decision. seems like
the whole thing is not fit for purposeOr maybe its another way of
not paying anybody new
I applied for PIP first week of July 2013. I received an
appointment for an assessment for 2nd December. Atos then cancelled
it and sent meanother appointment for 14th January 2014. Their
completed assessment has still to be sent to the DWP.
I applied for pip in august 2013, had my face to face in
February 6th 2014 rang pip severals times, they told me was with a
case manager after another 10 days was told thehard copy of report
hadnt been received there waiting for another . Discuiting .
I applied in June 2013 had assessment on 30th august and still
have had NO decision I am at my wits ends.. I ring every week to be
told the same thing.. Your report is still with our senior advisor
(its been there for 5mths) we are understaffed.. I have made
several official complaints a manager will ring me back and say the
same thing.. All I want is decision
applied 1st sep 2013. today been for medical assesment 17/2/14.
after it was cancelled on the 23/01/14 was told the day i got there
it was cancelled. funny thing is im amazed how many cancellations
people get when looking through help forums on line
I applied in over 7 months ago. Still on stage 2 awaiting a
assesment, no date yet.
Hello. I applied for PIP on september24th. I started to call in
January to check
Page 5
-
status.I called again on monday24th February and DWP gave me the
number for atos. I called them and they told me they were in
process of getting an appointment for an assessment but there is a
shortage of assessors for my area!!!! Am so very distressed and
anxious. I spent seven weeks in a psychiatric bospital last year.
Am still under psychiatrist and CPN. I know my CPN sent supporting
evidence on 2nd january. This is just terrible and am so worried.
Surely our doctors and health workers can assess us. They can make
an honest decision because they have been treating us for so long.
I am so worried and just dont know what to do. I feel like i am
going backwards with my illness instead of moving forward.
Sorry.
I had a accident on sept 6th and my heel horizontally snapped in
half and the hercules ten dent came through the bck of my heel
causing a opened wound fracture which went septic and lead to my
calf being usedas my heel tissue n 5cm screw 2 hold the heel down.
Thankfully I should make a recovery in a year or so and I can not
wear shoes the same size as ive now got a heel with a heel above it
and all the skin is new skin thats developed. l applied for pip
because it affects my walkin bathing ect n constant pain relief.
Now reading all these I wonder if I will ever hear from atos
again,i did phone them and they say its with the health care
assessment team and theres a back log so to wait for a appointment.
What gd is that I need help now ive paid tax n ni and am entitled
to help to aid me through this horrific time.Ive sent pics all docs
names physio names surgeons names what more do they need for it to
viewed and a decision made
Applied 19/9 still waiting for an assessment, you ring to chase
and get told something different each time you ring! I wanted to
make a complaint they couldnteven get my name right.its disgusting
the way they are treating people and evenworse how you have to
justify why you deserve this help when there are many others
getting something for nothing!
Ive been receiving DLA since 2010 but then got told I have to
apply for PIP now, Ive only been waiting over a month so not as
long as you guys who have commented but Im disgusted with them and
the waiting time, they clearly dont realise that some people live
of this money that they receive of them and it helps them a lot,if
they know that such a large amount of people is applying for this
they should have more people working and trying to help us, maybe
theyll understand when theyre in our shoes one day.
I applied for pip on 18/07/13 on my 8th month now still no
decision dwp said they sent my form to atos on 30/07/13 had my
assessment 3 months later in October almost 5 months later I still
dont have any news the waiting time is a joke
I applied for PIP in November 2013. In December 2013, a Nurse
Practitioner from the DWP, contacted my Mental Health Coordinator,
to ascertain about my capability to attend for an assessment
appointment. I contacted ATOS on 6th March 2014, to enquire as to
what was happening about my PIP application. I was informed by ATOS
that they were waiting for me to
Page 6
-
attend the assessment appointment. My obvious thoughts were that
they would be waiting until hell freezes over waiting for me to
attend an assessment appointment until they had the common sense /
professional working practice of actually sending me a letter
inviting me to attend for one. I have now got an appointment to
attend on the 26th March, a wait of some 4 months.
I waited eight months before my atos appointment. during this
eight months of help I found the assessment circumstances to be
discriminltory against mental heath patients.Im now dismayedto be
told after only a few weeks I have to go through the whole
procedure again for was ,docs note, social report and
assessment..talk about wasting tax payers money including the time
of my social worker and doctor
Hello, just thought I would give an update! I had my assessment
yesterday 7/3 which was ok but have no idea how it went, I just
told the truth on how I struggle on a daily basis with uncontrolled
RA munching away at my joints. I only got the assessment because I
rang up to chase yet again and asked if there were any
cancellations, which there were, I took the first oneeven though it
was on the other side of town because Im sick and fed up of waiting
to hear something!! I just hate the way us disabled people or
people with chronic health conditions have to justify why we
deserve help..does anyone else claiming a benefit have to do
thisNO!!! I do appreciate that there has to be evidence as anyone
could claim but really its just so stressful wondering if you have
been believed or scored enough points. Ive paid into the system for
years and not asked for anything and I didnt ask for this condition
but I do ask to be believed!! I was told I should hear back within
2-3 weeks..well see!!! Something seriously needs to be done though
how these PIP Applications are being handled as its just causing
further stress and angst to already sick and vulnerable people.
I have waited 5 months almost with no assessment date yet the
DWP have told me my forms and stuff used to apply for pip has been
dated at the 25th of October I phone atos and the replyI get is I
should have an appointment soon . It is so annoying as I lost my
car cant walk or use public transport and dont get out of the house
at all as taxis are too expensive the whole impact this is having
on me is horrible Im getting a lot more unwell due to stress
I called atos up about my pip face to face a few weeks ago had
put on my form would like hone vistit as due to health and ppl
thinking im being abusive and agressive got call back and told if
they could get a report from my social worker i may not need a face
to face called theface am on friday and told i dont need a face to
and a report is being made up applied back in nov so just have to
wait now to see what happens as not sure ifthats a good thing or
not not to have a face to face
i have waited up to now 5 months for pip assessment still no
appointment made loads of phonecalls same answer appointment soon
sick to death of it no one should be treated like this im so low i
feel i dont want to be here anymore at least i would not have the
worry and stress that hasmade my condition worse atos is disgusting
for the way they treat vunerable people and something needs to be
done to this company like put out of action for good never to
return
Page 7
-
Applied for PIP the first day it was rolled out in Wales on 1
July 2013, had a home visit assessment from Capita on 14 August. No
decision yet some 10 months on. Call centre are justtelling us its
now a priority, it will be done soon, apologies for delay, we are
doing everything wecan, etc. Manager has returned my call twice but
told me the same thing. Filled a complaint direct with Capita and
told to wait 20 days for a response. MP queried on my behalf this
month and was told they are waiting for the visiting officers
report which was completed 7 months ago.
I applied in Sept 2013 for ESA/PIPHeard nothing until I got my
MP involved 3 weeks ago, now have PIP assessment on 18th March ,40
min drive away so taxi paid for by Atosthen 3 days later ESA
medical assessment only 5 min drive awayI am grateful to finaly get
these assessment dates but my fear isA physiopherapist will not
give me physio until I am diagnosed, a Pain Management team will
not help me until I am diagnosedMy neuro-surgeonwho I get the
results from 2 recent mri scans from,thinks i may have further
spinal problemsHe also says it is not his position to diagnose
me,just operate,I am still recovering from ACDF 0n C6-C7 (spinal
surgery)I do after 2 years of suffering finaly see a neuroligist
who will start the diagnostic procedure on the 24th of marchSo how
the elll is Atos going to assess methey will cause me pain and
discomfort, as any activity doesI will be on maximum dose of
tramadol and codiene for itand if it turns out I still have
compression on my spine then they may cause me permanent nerve
damage,more than i already haveI dont believe any medicaly trained
person has looked at my file ,if they had then they would not ask
this of meIfi was not so desperate for the benfits i am entitled to
i would ask for a home visit.And as for BlueBadgelol I asked months
ago and have never heard anything back, just had to beg and borrow
the tax disc money yet again,otherwise i am housebound,well am
anyway as cannot afford diesel what with only 71 a week assessment
rate.
Applied for PIP 1st week in july 2013 and had a face to face
assessment in september 2013. I call once a week to hear its still
in the final stages as it has been since november. I was told by
one person that claims were being processed much quicker now than
when they started working there in december. I live in hope it wont
be much longer but i`m not optimistic.
Was on ESA IN 2012 DUE TO SUFFERING FROM SEVERE BACK PAIN AND
TRYING TO GET A MRI SCAN FROM DR TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG,HAD BEEN IN
PAIN FOOR SIX YEARS PREVIOUS AND KEPT BEING GIVEN MEDICATIONS TO
TRY AND SORT PAIN,MEANWHILE I HAD TO HAVE A MEDICAL WITH ATOS,HAD
MEDICAL AND RECEIVEDLETTER TO SAY THAT THEY FELT I WAS FIT ENOUGH
TO RETURN TO WORK,I CERTAINLY WASNT AS HAD WORKED 25 YEARS IN THE
NHS AND WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB WHICH I HAD TO GIVE UP DUE TO
DEBILITATING PAIN,MYV FRIEND SUGGESTED THAT I CHANGE MY DR WHICH I
DID BECAUSE HAD WORSENING SYMPTOMS,I DID THIS AND 6 WEEKS LATER HAD
AN MRI SCAN,WHICH SHOWED SEVERE SPONDLOSIS,ALL MY DISCS IN MY BACK
HAVE PROLAPSED,HAVE A FEMERAL ACCETABULAR INPINGEMENT IN MY RIGHT
HIP,AND OSTEOARTHRITIS IN ,MY HIPS
Page 8
-
AND BACK,ALSO A LARGE OVARIAN CYST WAS NOTED NO WONDER I WAS IN
PAIN,AND STILL AM,AM CURRENTLY AWAITING TO HEAR IF I WILL BE
GETTING PIP AS MY BEING ABLE TO WALK DISTANCES NOW IS NOT AT ALL
POSSIBLE,AT LEAST I HAVE A DIAGNOSIS AT LAST EVEN THOUGH IT HAS
TAKEN ME 7 YEARS TO GET ANYBODY TOLISTEN TO ME I FEEL VERY UPSET
THAT I WORKED SO HARD TO CARE FOR OTHERS THEN NOBODY CARED ABOUT
ME,I HOPE THAT THIS TIME I GET LISTENED TO,HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR 1
MONTH NOW TO HEAR FROM PIP PEOPLE.
I had a prolaped disk and had a spinal fusion at 20 years old
and claimed dla for around 8 months after having 4 children and
various problems including servere back pain my condition got to
the stage were I cannot walk and need to be hoist transfered capita
are aware ,my husband has been on ssp since November we get esa but
only a top up of 25 a week so we live on the money we get for the
kids I am in hospital at the moment I had an assessment for the end
of February but due to me been in they wont come my husband only
has 7 weeks left on sick pay hope things will get sorted soon he
cannot work now I cannot work it out how people seem to live a
comfortable life on benerfits but we just feel that its a brick
wall in front ofus
I applied for pip August 2013 , had my ftf January2014 . Have
had no decision as yet the dwp keepSaying its with the DM and in
its final stages , thats the way its beenFor the last 8 wks, had a
phone call Monday of last weekSaying I would have a decision in 7
to 10 days , s thats been and goneDont think Im going to phone
again as I get so upsetWhen I hear the same words no not done yetI
cant understand how ESA can get your claim done assessmentForm and
f t f done and dusted within 13 wks ( Im in the supportGroup) but
pip cant do the same , its the same companyThat are doing both
medicals . Oh well I will just have to tryAnd keep paying my bills
ect out of not much until its sorted
I have applied in November and have heard absolutely nothing
yet. Called DWP and was advised that my case has been handed to
ATOS for an assessment. I am very limited with regards to finance,
health and moving about and I feel that this Government picks on
the weakest links in order to save money they waste elsewhere. This
whole situation makes me feel very vulnerable. Is this Government
and their henchmen dragging their heels so badly, hoping that many
applicants die during the long assessment process?
was on dla but forgot to reapply, lost all help in August,
applied for pip in early September, had my face to face with atos
on 13 January, still not had anynews, I have had 2 hip rplacements
, which one has medicaly failed, I have a heart condition,
depression and severe anxiety problems , diabetes which needs a
daily injection, high blood pressure , and have just recently had
the results of an mri scan which reveals I have a thing called a
cerebbelar atrophy on the brain, this leaves me confused and in
some instances unable to form words and think when under stress, im
49 years old , worked hard as a farmer[tenant] for most of my
working life now
Page 9
-
am being supported by my wife , as my esa money has also been
stopped, if I or the health workers at the dwp and atos were aware
of my condition im sure I would still be getting my dla and esa
support group benefit, I am a proud man and sometimes say and think
I can do more than I can, which unfortunately has left me feeling
quite ill and worthless im confused at the best of times but ,
really dont know whats coming next , it wont be good news , anyway
rant over .
I made my claim early July 2013,I had my assessment by Capita on
September 13th 2013,I was told there was a bit of a backlog. I have
phoned and got the usual reply that Im in a queue that is in its
final stages,my claim looks as though its running smoothly with no
problemscall again in about 4 days,that was November and still I
havent heard a thing,subsequent phonecalls have had similar
replies. This is my first claim for any kind of disability benefits
in the past year my mobility has decreased due to rapid
degenerative osteoarthritis to both knees.Having had a full time
job understandably my financial situation has changed a lot plus
the stress of coming to terms with being disabled has been hard
enough as it is. I think it is the not knowing that gets to me the
most. My self esteem is very low,there is no respect for the
claimants of PIP.
I applied for PIP in August 2013, its now March 2014 and I still
have not had an assessment.I was offered an appointment in
Birmingham (I live in Worcestershire), I called to say I could
nottravel and was too poorly to attend and then asked for a home
appointment, at first I was told they would find out, but then they
came back to phone and said my appointment had been cancelled, they
could not offer me another appointment and that I would have to
call back.I called back every week, eventually they gave me another
appointment, I arranged a lift, just before I left home I had a
phone call from CAPITA saying my appointment had been given in
error and they cancelled it.That was last year, then this year they
offered me an appointment in Cardiff (because it was accessible by
train from Worcester. I called to say that I could not afford to
pay the train or taxi fares, that I am a divorced single Mother
struggling to make ends meet. They cancelled my appointment.I was
told by CAPITA that it the system runs on a first come first served
basis and that I should call every Monday morning, the first people
to get through are the ones who get appointments. They said they
know the system is flawed , but they can do nothing about it.I
have; Fibromyalgia, Hypothyroidism and Angina, I also have spinal
injuries and arthritis. My conditions have been worsened due to GPs
not carrying out correct tests or treating in time, forexample my
hypothyroidism was untreated for approx 15 years (minimum
apparently) due to this my body was unable to break down
cholesterol, which can be a contributory cause of Angina. GPs dont
even apologise, in fact wont even admit mistakes were made, they
say theycan only discuss one symptom at a time and that this is why
it can take so long to diagnose complex illnesses. This has led to
me being unable to live normally and has left me incapableof many
things, I have always worked, used to be very active (until health
worsened so much). My only hope of employment now is
self-employment, I cannot guarantee my health is going to be okay
day-to-day, so I am trying to build a small business working from
home making craft work and simple jewellery. I have no funding and
cannot obtain any, but although its a daily struggle and
heartbreakingly difficult I refuse to sit on the scrap heap that
Government departments appear to be trying to throw me onto. Is
this why our tourist offices removed the word Great so that it just
reads Britain now?
Page 10
-
My partner was diagnosed last August with Cancer, this came as a
massive shock, we were told to make a claim for PIP and waited for
a reply, Nothing!! we called ATOS who said they hadnt received our
application. We made it again and waited!! Nothing again so we
called and were told even with all the treatment and stress we were
going through that we would have to attend an interview. We arrived
to find an physiotherapist not a trained doctor that knows nothing
about my partners condition, who was in a really bad mood, because
she had damagedher car that morning and was waiting for the tow
truck,her phone constantly ringing and rushingus to get through the
applicaton. My partner was made to feel like a criminal, he has
worked for32 years without one day of sickness to be told he really
should have taken out private insurance then he wouldnt need to
make a claim. She wanted to know why I had given up work, I told
her because hes so sick from the chemo, we have to travel 40 miles
for treatment on a regular basis most days he struggles to get out
of bed but she said he should be capable of taking public
transport!! 7 hours of chemo is bad enough then to make a 40 mile
train journeyand make 2 changes is incredible, We have been treated
terribly and 7 months later and weekly phone calls we are told
everytime 7-10 days we are really downhearted that the system has
let us down.,
The DWP forwarded my application to ATOS on 22/08/13. Over 7
calendar months and still waiting for an assessment appointment.
Ive made 5 phone calls and they cant tell me anything.
Please. Does anyone know what is happening with our claims. Am
still waiting for an assesment. Has been seven months. Have tried
to speak to DWP and atos with no joy. So verystressful. Surely
someone can help us all. I would just like to know what is
happening. Please help.
been waiting for my face to face assessment since end of oct
still none offerd this is so unfair on people [Posted April 1st
2014]
I got an email address off atos to complain about the length of
time and that every time I rang they said no appointments had been
released. Hey presto an email came back the next day with an
appointment the very next week.I did mention that I believed their
target was 30 days and as mine had been 96 what theyproposed to do
about it.had face to face 10 days ago so not sure how long it will
be before I get a reply maybe a nice xmas present !!
Hi, Ive been waiting since July/Aug 2013 [Posted April 2nd
2014]. I have bipolar, have a long history of depression anxiety
and been hospitalised twice in 2013, my first being in 2008. To be
honest I am not relying on it as desperately as others (say with
cancer) or mobility problems myheart goes out to them. Surely they
must be priority. My mother has stage four arthritis in both knees
is working full time so shes not as desperate I suppose as others.
But she applied 1 month after myself and has not been assessed yet.
What this means to her is she cant have a blue disabled parking
badge. Walking is painful for her.
Anyway I dont want to complain as its a bit of a long shot that
I would qualify.
I just posted to impart I rang dwp this year who had passed it
to atos and gave me their number. I rang and was told the problem
is there are no appointments available, the helpful
Page 11
-
customer service assistant did check the diary for a fortnight
and there was nothing available.
Thankfully I receive my ESA currently but have no idea when I
will be granted a work capability assessment, seeing that atos are
now not processing these.
Applied for PIP, in July 2013, like most have been waiting ever
since, recieved a letter from ATOS in December 2013 saying, they
had contacted my Dr. etc for evidence. Still waiting for
assessment. Cant understand why they ask for you to send evidence,
if they still gonna requestit from your Dr. Is this a delaying
tactic?
I recieved a form to fill in in December, a new claim for ESA?,
had the assessment in March 2014, taken out the work related group
and put in Support Group.
Have contacted my MP, via e mail, but no reply as yet. Although
funny enough, got my ESA assessment, a week after contacting
him.
I wait with baited breath
, I applied for Personal Independance Payment in July 2013, I
suffer with post-traumatic stress disorder, and I have agoraphobia.
I need a full time carer as I am prone to suicide attempts. In
October 2013, I had to go for an assessment with Capita, by the
time I arrived with my carer, I was already in full panic mode, the
assessment began, and I found that I was being asked to repeat my
answers as the assessor couldnt hear me, so my carer spoke for me.
The assessor accidently set her panic button off, and I went into a
full hyperventilation, the assessor did not stop the interview,
despite the fact that I was shaking, hyperventilating, and so
desperate to leave, after what was about an hour, I collapsed in
the foyer of the building, a paramedic was called, and he said that
I had passed out because of extreme anxiety. In January, February,
andMarch 2014, I have contacted Capita to find out when the report
of my assessment will be sent to DWP, in every instance both mty
carer and myself has been told that the report is just about to be
sent off, and that they have prioritised it due to my mental
health. Now in April, there is no decision, and the report is still
with Capita.
waited from July 2013 for assessment had one in January was told
dont hold breath for answerand seen as i had waited since July
theres no rush and then she laughed .
I applied for PPI 7 Months ago On January24th I received a
letter telling me I will be having a home visit between 6th 11th
January. YES dates before the letter was typed.
I lost my hearing around 2 years ago and have not fully adjusted
I suffer with panic attacks and depression as I really am scared
going out as I can not hear what is going on around me and am
intimidated.
I got a friend to call up and was given an appointment today, He
asked if he could attend as he can sign and was told no, it has to
be one of their interpreters. I had to travel from Birmingham to
Walsall on my own and I was scared but I got there.
I had been sat down about 30 mins when the receptionist came up
talking to me I had no Idea what she was saying she pointed to the
door and waved bye bye.
I was scared to death I was in the middle of a strange city
alone. I text my friend and he came to me ( a 21 mile drive) he
signs so he went in to the assessment centre and was told they had
not booked an interpreter for some reason.
Page 12
-
My friend rand Capita and they did not care at all he explained
he has lost an afternoons work and cost me money and distress. He
was told that there are no appointments in Birmingham or Walsall
for around 5 months. In some situations I have to book an
Interpreter and I have to pay for it and I just dont have the money
so I am getting more and more isolated my depression is kicking in
and I am scaredand just dont want to be here anymore no one cares
!
Applied june/july 2013 had assessment end of november still
waiting for a decision. Ive got multiple sclerosis plus mental
health issues,Ive had to miss important hospital appointments
because i cant affordthe travel expenses & Im basically stuck
in the house 24/7. My sisteris the only family Ive got & she
helps me as much as she can but shes a single mum & works full
time. Im relying on this pip to reclaim some of my independence. Im
only 26. Almost a year Ive been waiting for a decision its
completely unacceptable.
My Partner filled out and sent the claim form in in July 2013
heard nothing for weeks so wrote to D W P at the end of September
2013 got no reply so she rang them in the Middle of December 2013
and was told that she was on the waiting list for an assessment but
they had no idea when this will happen they are absolutely hopeless
this has now been going on for 8 months and she hasnt even had the
assessment yet
I was diagnosed in november with a brain tumour and had
emergency surgery to remove it also in november , i also had a
shunt fitted in the left side of my head as well as contracting
blood clots during surgery after 2 .5 years of being misdiagnosed
by a gp i was hoping that my pips assement would bd a speedy one ,
god how wrong am i its nos nesrly easter and i still have not got a
assessment from atos let alone a date .this whole process is
disgusting i have teo kids and i am unsble to work and feelmtotally
let down
I applied for PIP in NovemberIve waited over 4 and a half
months. Me and my husband are living mainly off whats left of our
life savings with his jobseekers and housing benefit to top it up
(because of a preexisting loan we have no money to live on). He was
made redundant after 12 years in October; then we were evicted 3
weeks later after we notified the management company about leaking
windows. I am housebound and unable to do much at all. The job
market seems dead and my husband is still out of work. Atos told me
that there is no timeframe for assessments and that home visits
take even longer.
Sent my form off on the 2nd September. Phoned DWP just before
Christmas and was told my form was sent to ATOS on the 4th of
September and I needed to call them. I did and was told there were
no appointments available in my area at that time and it can take
up to six weeks to get one. Id already waited 13 weeks!I called
again on 8th April and was given a cancellation for the following
week 17th April for medical assessment. Eight months so far, I wont
be holding my breath for the outcome. Its all a
Page 13
-
sham, absolutely disgusting.
I have problems walking and bending down, which has been caused
by an old armyinjury in the mid 1990s and has been getting worse
since around September 2013 and is at the stage wear I am now in
pain 24/7, and I have cartilage and knee cap damage in both knees
and a bone in my right hip that is growing the wrong shape.
Iapplied for PIP in October last year, the DWL informed me they
sent the documentation to ATOS on 3rd December and it should be
assessed within 16 weeks, however following numerous phone calls
and finally getting the number for ATOS I contacted ATOS and they
informed me that the waiting list is currently at approximately 22
weeks, and I am still waiting.
My wife applied for PIP having epilepsy and back problems going
back many years after a bike accident. This was 13th September, her
forms were passed to ATOS within 2 weeks and they put her on the
waiting list for a face to face, today 16th April she is still
awaiting an appointment. Despite many phone calls to ATOS we get
the usual sorry theres no cancellations, but you are moving up the
waiting list. It seems this is the norm for many people yet nothing
can be done and there is nobody you can turn to to air your
complaint, DWP just say its all on ATOS and they have no say in the
matter!!
I suffer with anxiety , depression, high blood pressure ,
asthma. I m in receipt of esawas told to apply for pip by my local
jobcentre so I did in november 2013 January 2014 I had a letter
from capita for a face to face assessment which the lady turned up
very worried about the questions she would be asking me eventually
got through it after 2hrs , I waited and wauted for a letter to
arrive about the decision no letter so I rang pip several times was
told to ring back in 2 weeks so I did then was told to ring capita
so I did was fobed off your paperwork is with the case workerring
back in two weeks so I did guess what still with case worker god
knows how many times I rang them both I was determined to get an
answer from them and notto give up .I then rang capita 17 march
2014 and hooray after so many calls back and forth your paperwork
has gone over to pip they have it now, so I rang them after a
number of attempts they have awarded me with pip .any body out
there who are still waiting jyst keep naging them I rang my wife
rang on my behalf ask to speak to a manager put your point over im
really sorry to hear that people still hav heard after several
months . Tbey told me they back date your payment from the day they
re your form I know its alot off stress guys not knowing I was in
your position but it will be worth it at the end. So keep naging
and sta d your ground everyone after all ifyour entitled to it you
should have it all the best everone and good luck
My partner had a very bad fall back in January leaving his arms
with all his bones out he contracted compartment syndrome almost
losing his arm. He has lost most feeling in his hand and arm
leaving him mostly disabled in his left arm and had 4 operations
metal plates and reconstruction on his arm. Also traumatic
stress
Page 14
-
disorder after his fall and very high anxiety. I am my partners
full carer he cant do much for himself with the pain. We applied
for pip and carers allowance in January and have got nowhere they
said it would take 12 weeks to prossess. I was refused carers
allowance and my partner is still waiting. We called them this week
to find out what was happening and they toldUs it wouldTake another
16 weeks to prossess and theyre was lists or people waiting he is
no different we are struggling he has his own flat it costs me 60
per week to tend to him he has hospital visits it costs 30 a time
travling and waiting. I called them today to ask if theres any help
I canRecive and was asked if I was on income support and tax
creditsWhich I am for my daughter is 2 years old myPartner cant
work and the adviser saidWhat more help do you want yourGetting
free benefit which upset me and when I asked her why she said that
she saidShe never ment it that way aExplained what way did you mean
it you said it that way that is clearly howYou ment it we are
stillWaiting for any word everytime we call they said that they
cant help this is shocking we need this help and we areGetting
nowhere!! But people with drug habits will be helped right way!
My son age ow aged 16 originally in receipt of DLA for his
medical condition and learning difficulty was receiving the low
rate for both but as he delayed in re applyimg after one year in
recipe of DLA he was then regarded as a new case and reaching 16
meant applying for PIP.
October 2013 he applied, then it took months to get a reply and
when he did was then reffered to ATOS. It took months feb2014 to
get an appointment !! Now we are April 2014 and still no decision
even the the medical assor who is a paramedic assured me the
longest it would take is 8weeks! I called them yesterday and they
were vague with their answer when asked whats happening. Apparently
they have now had to write to another doctor for more info! They
have already had the hospital specialist letter what more do they
need!
I would like to know legally how long they can keep a person
waiting on a decision?My son needs help getting around with this
money as he is deaf with a learning difficulty. Its disgusting to
think he wasceligablevfor it once and his condition has not changed
so if they do decide not to award it how can they justify this when
once he was receiving it.
26 weeks? What a joke. Ive been waiting for about 40 weeks now
Have been calling Capita to find out why my assessment which I
waited 6 months to get still hasnt been processed and passed on to
DWP. Ive been talked to like what Im asking about is ridiculous!
Like I should just wait endlessly and keep quiet.
My original claim form was requested on the 18th September last
year, it tookuntil the middle of December before I received the
claim form. This was completed and received back with DWP on the
18th December 2013. It then
Page 15
-
took until the 26th March before I had the assessment.After
calling them to see how long this will now take I was informed that
it was passed to the decision maker on the 31st March, but I am
still waiting for a decision to be made.I have now raised a
complaint with DWP over the length of time the claim is taking.
Been waiting for a decision from PIP for six months. Contacted
them yesterday and listened to a short voice recording stating that
PIP claims are taking up to 26 weeks. Anyone know why this is
taking so long?
i applied Sept 26 2013 for PIP and after hearing nothing for 3
months called DSS they said it had been passed to PIP on 16 of
October 2013 i have spent now 7.5 months waiting for an appointment
for a home visit as i suffer fibromyalgia ,spondilosis and sciatica
along with bad migraines and panic attacks and need someone with me
if i go out which is virtually never i have now been trying for 23
years to get disability benefits and they keep moving the goal
posts to suit themselves i have to walk with crutches sometimes for
support because i am in so much pain but to look at me i look like
any normal person in the street and that is exactly what they see
they have had specialist reports from professors not the junior drs
explaining my problems and i am now in limbo awaiting yet another
NO answer from them should i cut both arms and legs off and my head
before i get anything from them
Hi
I completed the form and sent it off in August last year, after
3 months of not hearing anything I contacted the DWP who confirmed
that my form had been received and sent to ATOS, I called them and
was told that they had my application and it was just a case of
waiting as there where no cancellation appointments available.
After still not hearing, a month ago I emailed my local MP
explaining the situation, and that I have never had to claim for
anything before in my life, but for the last two years have been
off work and not received a penny, and was advised to claim for
PIP, but seemed to be getting no where. Within two weeks of sending
the email I had a letter from ATOS and email from MP to say that I
had an appointment for the 22nd April, which I attended yesterday.
In the letter I was told to take any paperwork relating to my
medicalcondition with me, this I did it wasnt even looked at , I
was told that I should photocopy itall and send it off to Atos to
support my claim. I had a medical and was asked to do things which
really aggravated my back.
I was told that they dont know how long it will take to hear
back?
So please if you are still waiting please try contacting your
local MP it does seem to help.
I made a claim the beginning of august last year was told that
letters for medical assessments would b e sent out and people would
have them at the beginning of october at a medical centre as I have
anxiety problems Imy cpn requested a home visit which I had on the
14 november and havent had anything yet no decision
Page 16
-
keep ringing them and get told ring back in a couple of weeks
and we should have some news for you but still nothing
I applied in October, Was supposed to be assessed by Capita on
New Years Eve, butno one turned up! Came out to me on 17th January
and done home assessment, Capita sent report 17th February 2014 but
this was not received by DWP. Despite my phoning both parties
informing them both that a report was sent and not received, this
was ignored (another delaying tactic). On 28th March a letter was
sent to me to say they received my report. I have phoned every week
since up untiltoday .. each time I was told they hadnt received my
report from Capita even though I had a letter stating they had
received them . today I am told its still with the decision
maker!!!!!! ARGGHH!! How long does it take these people to make a
decision? I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus SLE Does this
decision maker know of a cure for these conditions? Is he waiting
on it to miraculously disappear? Where is the support for disabled
people in Britain?
I applied for pip in november. I have been waiting for
assesment. Phoned them yesterday, they said it was a 26 week wait
and I would hear soon. First time I have ever claimed anything in
my life. Have suffered with depression and anxiety throughout. Has
anyone had assesment for any of these conditions ?
I applied for PIP at the beginning of july 2013 and had a face
to face assessment in october 2013. I have phoned capita once a
week religiously since before christmas and yesterday (22nd april)
they informed me that my report has finally been sent tothe DWP. I
was told by the lady on the phone that it may take upto 10 days for
DWPto receive the report even though it is sent electronically. Its
taken 42 weeks to get to this point so it may be almost a year by
the time i get a decision.
Just a quick updateI phoned the DWP this morning to see if they
had received my report and they havent as yet, but they do have the
electronic copy so thats somethingThe DWP`s automated call routing
system appears to have new options, I dont remember hearing these
the last time i phoned.If you have waited less than 26 weeks press
this key, if you have waited more than 26 weeks press this key
I applied for PIP back in September 2013. Yesterday I tried to
ring to find out what ishappening with my claim and I ended up
sitting at the end of a phone beeping at me! Its not the first time
I have tried, there are not enough people to answer the queries and
I am not going into the job centre every month to make a call!
Thats the helpline I was told to phone at the job Centre. About the
same time I asked for areconsideration for ESA to be placed in the
support group instead of the work related activity group. I had to
phone the tribunal service in London for thatno answer. I guess
that support is out of the question these days. i have had MS for
12 years and have difficulty walking crippling fatigue and am so
tired of all this waiting!! June 2014 they take away my
contribution based benefit and then want to ask intrusive questions
about my partner as well as me. So come June I could have
absolutely no independence and my partner will ahve to work harder
to keep
Page 17
-
both of us. Really looking forward to the quality of life that
will provide
ditto, had my esa stopped after 365 days + lost dla payments in
the same month . December was devastating had a total of 625 taken
away , my wife who is a school cleaner has to do extra hours to try
to earn more , I was in thesupport group but somehow ended in the
work group , I have what the doctors say is major health issues ,
one of which is a brain atrophy which leaves me confused and
depressed, am waiting surgery
I applied for PIP in October 2013 i have not heard anything to
date. I did phone the pip line back in January and was informed my
application had been received and was with ATOS and if i called
them i would get an estimate of when i would go for my assessment.
Contacted Atos and they informed me they could not give me any idea
of when i would be seen and could only confirm they had my
application. this is ongoing five months now.
Applied for PIP back in August 2013, had my assessment in
Birmingham with Capitain October 2013, now still waiting an answer
April 2014. Had a letter December 2013 apologising for the delay.
Phoned DWP in January was told they had received the electronic
copy of the report, still waiting the hard copy and I could ring
Capita direct, if I wanted. I rang Capita and was told there was
delays and basically it would be sent when it was ready, the person
wasnt very helpful at all. Its like bagging your head against the
brick wall. I dont know what to say, its absolutely disgusting to
be treated this way.
Since 2010 Ive been suffering wiith ancer , it has gave me lots
of side effects that cant be treated and I suffer with on a daily
basis. Im now 17 and was told to apply for PIP I did in end of
January and last week I had my assesment, I am very surprised that
I have got my assesment so fast it didnt get cancelled but then the
second appointment was fine. Im just wondering how long have people
waited from thaving heir assesment to actually receiving a
decision?
Hi all ,
I have a cronic pain disorder that I have been suffering with
for two years now the pain is disabling takeing very high levels of
pain relief and morphine its taken. Over my life Im now using two
sticks to get around I have just been issued with a blue badge
witch is helpful . Going to the pain clinic next week and to see a
rumatoligist they think I have fibromyalgia also I do suffer with
bit of depression and anxiety because of the situation Im in Im 26
and have to relie on some one else to wash and dress me as Im in of
much pain and very stiff In a morning to move I applied for pip in
April after loosening my job due to health reasons said they cant
no longer fisilatate my long term illness I called capita today who
said itsin the process of seeing if I need a home visit a clinic
visit or non atall has any one been awarded pip and what is capata
assisment like
I applied for PIP October 2013, I havent heard anything at all.
Ive called a few times to be told
Page 18
-
that my claim was with ATOS. The last call I made 2months ago
told me that I need to attend a face to face as yet no appointment
has been given. Im not sure how I will cope with that, I
havebipolar II disorder and suffer anxiety meeting new people and
when in unknown/strange environments.
I have had to cut my hours to remain in work, my employer has
made me attend a few case conferences with regard to my attendance
at work and how my condition affects me at work. This in itself is
stressful as I feel that I am always at risk of losing my job
completely because of my condition.
I applied 17th july 13 had my assessment in Birmingham due to no
appts in Coventry, my son took me for my assessment, (nice
gentleman did interview), good job I took my consultants letters
with me as he didnt have copies of the ones I sent to DWP.He told
me he would submit my claim and to ring DWP at end of January,
still no answer, keep ringing Capita to be told its waiting for a
Senior Professional to look at it, also told its there fault for
delay and the longer it takes might be a better result for
me!!!!!!!!!Keep ringing to be told the same answer.In so much pain
and because I cant get out getting more depressed
We have been waitng now 10 months and are in the same boat as
everyone here, cant stand the stress of it all its just not fair to
put us all through all this waitng weall need closure
I applied for PIP on the 09th September 2013. The DWP sent my
paperwork to ATOS on the 23October 2014, I finally had my
assessment on 11th March 2014. I was told at the assessment that my
paperwork would be sent back to the DWP in a couple of weeks. I
rang in a couple of weeks to be told the paperwork is sent back to
ATOS and not DWp. I then rang ATOS to be toldthat it had to be
checked before being sent back to the DWP, I asked how long this
would take and was told a maximum of 6 weeks. I rang up on Tuesday
to check that my paperwork was back with the DWP as that was 6
weeks and was told it wasnt. ATOS, said it was due to the bank
holidays.
I sent a complaints e mail to Atos 20.02.2014 their complaints
leaflets state you will get a reply in 20 working days so I should
have had a reply by March 20th rang Atos today 16.04.2014 and asked
why I had not had a reply I was told that there was a computer
issue, I rang several days later re my assessment and asked about
the e mail complaint, I was told that they had a new team dealing
with complaints and that if I emailed again that I would probably
get a reply, as they were dealt with in strict date order. When I
said I hadnt had a reply from my first e mail they said I probably
would if I emailed again.
The DWP PIP helpline now states that claims are taking up to 26
weeks to process, as of the 22.04.14 it was 32 weeks. I have also
been told that when the DWP get the paperwork back they try to get
a decision made in 3 weeks. At this moment I can not see me getting
a decision anytime soon. Even my local MP has been unable to
help.
I had to move out of my 3 storey house and move into a bungalow
due to my mobility/health problems, I can only claim ESA. I claimed
ESA in Oct 2013 and it went into payment within the week, my
paperwork was assessed by ATOS (different dept) by the beginning of
Dec 2013 that
Page 19
-
I was put into the support group.
I own a 3 storey house which I rent out to cover my mortgage,
because of this we can not claimany other benefits. My husband is
my main carer, he can not claim carers allowance until I havea
decision on my PIP claim. He will also only be allowed a 3 month
back date. Therefore, despite having always worked and never
claimed benefits we have to live on a very small amount of money
each week because of the failings of the new benefit system. As PIP
is a newbenefit, they have no timescales to keep to, so. in theory,
we could all still be in the same situation 6 months on.
On the whole I find the whole process stressful, inadequate and
also makes me realise why people do not claim benefits. I was
advised by my GP to apply for thesebenefits, I dont understand why
the word of a GP or a consultant, on the abilities ofsomeone they
see on a regular basis are not enough, as opposed to a
physiotherapist who you have never met before and see for an hour
is the basis for this benefit.
my partner had to wait 9 months before he got to see atos and
they arepeople with out any medical experience we had to travel
from Southampton to Portsmouth to be seen and had to get a taxie as
I dontdrive been told he has now been awarded it after 10 months
but still no letter or backpay
I put in a claim for pip in September 2013 and keep being told
by ATOS is it awaiting an assessment appointment in my area. I
really think that they hopeyou either get better or die before they
have to deal with you. I was told the last time I phoned and chased
it up that they cant cope because the system wasnt ready before the
Gov made the switch over! I am not really expecting to be
successful with the claim as the more I read about PIP i.e. people
with cancer and no limbs etc being turned away I ask myself are
there any successful applicants anymore plus the people who asseess
you arent even medically trained so how would they know what each
individual person is going through on a day to day basis. The whole
thing is a joke but it is an easy target benefit!
my partner applied for pip in oct 2013 and hes still waiting for
an essesment now nearly 7 month later, its a joke, when he rings he
gets told hes still in the queue for an essesment.
hi I put a claim in for my partner in june 2013 only got seen in
feb 2014 only because I got a solicitor to chase them up phone 2-3
times a week to pester them I phoned last Friday and was told he
had been awarded pip and to wait for a letter and was going to get
back pay havent received letter yet or back pay will be contacting
them in morning if still nothing so far been waiting 10 months
I had an accident going back to December 2012, lost vision in
both eyes. I reluctantly decided to claim PIP i i had at this point
no income.
Page 20
-
This is what i experienced, Claimed PIP around August 2013, i
got a form to complete, which i did and returned to ATOS in
September2013.Waited and waited and waited, in April 2014 i was
told i would require surgery now i needed help urgently as i would
lose my vision for quite sometime before it got better.ATOS fobbed
my off over the 5 months.I decided to write to my MP and the
department of Health, Emailed letters outlining my wait on 10th
April 2014 and surprise surprise i got a call from ATOS on 11th
April 2014. Medical arranged for the next day.
Please if you are waiting longer than 3 months you should email
the Department of Health & your local MP.You have every right
to fair treatment, i have worked all my life and did not want to
claim.When i was injured i tried to continue with my job and this
was stopped due to my vision.
When i did attend the ATOS appointment the waiting room was
empty, that,s odd hmm mm NO Comment.
I am very concerned for all disabled people who require help,
they cannot possibly wait months on end, I was lucky my family
helped me otherwise if i had no one to turn to i would have
probably suffered in silence.
Its shocking the amount of time we are having to wait, keep
ringing until you get a cancellation otherwise you will be waiting
weeks maybe months. Its interesting to note that no other benefit
make the applicants wait this long or go through assessments etc.
its bad enough being disabled or having a long term health
condition without having to prove we are telling the truth?! I can
understand the need for it though to cut down on fraudbut honestly
why the delays and why are we not even getting an update letter as
a matter of curtesy if you ring to chase it up, you just get the
same old jargon told to you, its as if you are an
inconvenienceperhaps they are trying to frustrate us into giving up
the claim??!! Enough is enough something really has to be done
about the delays Please please someone in power hear her pleas and
frustrationsHELP US PLEASE!
I sent my claim form in on 27th October 2013, after waiting 3
months I rang the DWP who advised that they sent ATOS my form on
2nd November, I then rang ATOSand was advised that there is a delay
and that they need to assess me and would send me a cancellation in
due course. I rang them again last week and they have now sent me
out a complaints procedure. I feel that I shouldnt have to fill
this in, they should be doing their job and have seen me by now. I
do appreciate that they have a lot of work on their plate, but if I
used that excuse at work, well I probably wouldnt have a job now.
This payment is supposed to make life easier, all I can seeis that
it is causing people more stress and when you are ill, stress is
the last thing you need!
Im in Dundee and been waiting since 2nd dec 2013 so Scotland not
as good as some people are saying,
Page 21
-
Maybe for others good luck, Im losing the will to live now .
I must say I was lucky looking at your comments I sent out
filled form for PIP on the 10th of January 2014. My ATOS face to
face consultation was on the 31st of March. I gotthe letter from
DWP dated 18th April saying that there is a delay and apologising.
they said they have all the stuff from ATOS and will contact me as
soon as the have made thedecision.
The people at ATOS in Glasgow were really nice.
I hear a lot of problems about atos not much about capita they
received my paper work 7th April and said they would be sorting a
assessment out soon how soon we will see and I will keep you all up
dated but defo agree its a joke of a system good luck guys
don t know lovely but i have been waitin for a decision about my
son s brain tumour for nearly a year it s crazy capita keep
cancellin appointments an makin stupid excuses
I suffer from walking difficulties where I can only walk so far
before I start getting really bad pains in my hips and legs, &
need help getting in and out of the bath, I am only 23 and really
cant hack the pain, which some days the pain is dreadful, and Im
taking pain killers every 4 hours and constantly having backache
because how I walk, I also suffer from IBS, depression and anxity (
dont no how to spell it) because of people taking the mik because
how I walk,, I made my PIP claim in June 2013 and after having my
appointments cancelled 4/5 times because of having needing a home
visit, finally had my assessment the 12th march 2014, the assessor
could tell from how I walk I have a condition, and was told that
her opinionshe could see why I wouldnt be able to claim PIP, 7
weeks on I still havent heard anything, Ive been told to phone up
about the decision of my claim, does anyone know how long it takes
for a dicision to come back?
my son had a brain tumour removed in december 2013 he had been
on dla for epilepsy until may 2013 where i had to fill forms in to
renew it , he was turned down then he had this tumour which i in
formed the dwpso far capita have cancelled 3 appointments at my
home since january this year 2014 , the next appointment is
supposed to be on the 6th of may 2014 my son has been diagnosed
with a rare brAIn disease called pituitary xonthagranuloma which i
am told is very rare for his age
I am suffering from Breast Cancer, it is my third time of having
this. The Assessment Centre has had my form since 10 October 2013.
I also got the doctor towrite a letter which I sent with the form.
I have been ringing them for weeks with no joy. My local MP wrote
to some Director to find out why it is taking so long, but wedidnt
get a reply. I now keep going into the red in my bank account when
the rent is due, because I have had to cut my hours down due to the
medication tiring me
Page 22
-
out. I am still paying rent & Council Tax & although I
will get my money back dated, I will not get back all the Council
Tax & rent I have had to pay! This is doing my head in now
& the stress does not help my situation! Thank you for
listening.
I have adhd, ocd, tourettes syndrome, social anxiety, depression
and a high resting pulse and take beta blockers. I find it nearly
impossible to go out I have been waiting since june 10th 2014 its
now may 2nd 2014 !! they told me they have the report back and will
make a decision within 3 weeks it is now 3 weeks 2 days and now
there telling me 4 weeks
I suffer from PTSD and went for an assessment around 5 weeks
ago! To be honest itwas a difficult and degrading place to go to
and to deal with! I could prepare myselffor the interview as my
head was all over the place and I was extremely nervous, anxious
and stressed before! During the interview, I became extremely
emotional due to the nature of the questions asked and found it
difficult to communicate. When the interview was over it set me
back months as I slipped back and to this day still struggle to
keep a level head!I contacted DWP last week regarding my claim and
decision and been told that it is with the decision makers and
could take another 3-6 weeks! Again this stresses me as I just want
to know whether I am getting this or not! If I dont get this I know
I have the right to an appeal, but I am not sure I can cope with
the added stress and more lengthy wait to be awarded. I think that
the way the system is set out doesnt work and I feel that they
should assess people on an individual basis and in certain
categories where very like the ESA system if there is a valid
reason why you are notemployable you go onto support rate, like I
am on. I came off ESA several times over past 2 years to try and
work, but the PTSD took hold and I couldnt sustain employment.I can
only hope the government gets their act together and stops
penalising those who genuinely need this extra help. Support wise
from DWP is Nada too. Thanks and good luck with your
documentary!
Hello everyone. Ive read some of these comments and appalled by
the long delays.I have been waiting since December 2013. I have
several conditions but my most notable (and the ignorance of this
condition is so frustrating) dissociative Identity Disorder A.K.A
d.i.d. and formerly known as Multiple personality disorder M.P.D I
have poor kidneys, asthma and several other conditions that always
pop up in interviews and i see the discrimination disguised in
things like fear, false understanding or jokes. I have ha the book
past so many times. I have switched inthe Job centre and cant
receive benefit (still dont recall what truly happened,
afterblackout which is a clear indication I switched into another
alter). I am qualified as achef but qualifications are scribbled
that dont help you. I have been on JSA then ESA then JSA then back
to ESA to apply for PIP and wait 5 months with no peace of mind. I
have found disgraceful articles relating to death counts due to or
after goingfor assessment. I had looked after a girl whos mind was
more balanced but she couldnt do any psychical things like lifting
etc as she had a fused spine and severalother serious conditions. I
hope everyone gets the needed and help your entitled for. This is
disgusting to everyone and elitist behaviour against the disabled
and
Page 23
-
poor needs to stop. Sorry for the long winded message I can
understand but never fully know all if your pain.
I applied for PIP on August 26th 2013 and am STILL awaiting
assessment. ATOS have had my paperwork since 19th September 2013
and to date still havent contacted my consultant. I have lumbar
degenerative disc disease and my situationhas deteriorated since I
had two spinal procedures last year. I call ATOS every two weeks
and am told that I am on a waiting list. I have now waited 37 weeks
and have not even received an acknowledgement. This is totally and
utterly unacceptable. I have contacted the DLA on numerous
occasions to update them on how my situation is worsening, but am
told there is nothing they can do. ATOS are contracted by the
government so it is within the governments power to deal with ATOS.
I have also heard horrendous things about the assessment itself and
have been told that they are conducted by people who arent
medically qualified. Its no wonder ATOS staff are being abused!
People are sick to death of hearing their excuses and dealing with
their unprofessionalism.
Surely these waits must be against some European law? Everything
else is. I have breast cancer as well as fibromyalgia and anxiety,
I have been waiting since Jan and have been told it will be 6
months before I even hear about my pip claim, couldbe doing with
the financial help now to buy in some care services. Total disgrace
and an issue which requires immediate action. First time I have
ever made a claim, appauled by this governments treatment of the
sick, they aught to hang their heads in shame. I am not destitute
so not in financial hardship, however as previously stated could do
with the help now.
I have been waiting for an ATOS medical since August 2013.I have
2 arthritic discs,2 bulging discs and a lateral tear. I am on all
sorts of pain killers including powerful patches. Manchester Social
Services have been very helpful and made adaptations to my home and
given me a bluebadge.
Unfortunately such is my condition I can not even get up the
stairs any more. I have moved my bed in to the living room.
After waiting 8 months for an ATOS medical I wrote to my MP John
Leech and the Disabled people minister Mike Penning for their
support.
On the 23rd April 2014 I received a reply from my MP John Leech.
The next day I received a telephone call from ATOS to inform me
they would be in touch within 7 days to arrange a medical. They
arranged for me to receive a home visit on the 7th May between 1030
am and 1200pm.
I sat waiting with my husband for ATOS to arrive to conduct the
medical on me. At 1210pm it was obvious that nobody was going to
call.
I telephoned ATOS on 03003300120 to inform them nobody had
attended my home address. I was informed that somebody from ATOS
had called and knocked for 20 minutes and had rang my home
telephone number. This was a blatant lie I informed the operator.
My bed is in the living room next to the front door and I was sat
with my husband. Nobody had called at my home address. I had only
waited a further 10 minutes after the allotted appointment time to
telephone them. Why would I do this ?,I am housebound. I burst out
crying on the telephone, I
Page 24
-
couldnt believe someone would blatantly tell lies. This person
lying is the one who was going togive me my medical assessment.
I was informed by ATOS that a note would now be put on the
computer screen to say I was not at home and could not be
contacted. Obviously. I was so upset I was absolutely
devastated.
I immediately telephoned my helpful MP John Leech within the
hour. And someone called Chrisis going to endeavour to contact
ATOS.I also immediately contacted the DWP to inform them that I had
not missed any medical, that I was at home. The lady I spoke to at
the DWP was called Nicola and she agreed it made no sense
considering i was telephoning everyone within minutes off
1200pm.She said there is a PIP complaints procedure she will be
activating a complaint on my behalf that will take up to 5
days.
I will be accessing my online BT Telephone record and printing
off the incoming calls for today as evidence and sending them to
the relevant people.
I am still terribly upset and in a state of shock that an ATOS
employee could completely fabricate a failed home appointment they
way this person has done. The stress of it all is becoming too
much, I am struggling to get by and need more financial help. I am
genuinely disabled. I have the full support off my GP/Hospital. I
am at my wits end with it all. I really am in a state of shock.
I made my initial claim for pip at the end of June 2013. I have
Crohns disease and had a large part of my bowel removed five years
ago which has resulted in a huge impact to my day to day living. I
am now being treated for stress and anxiety, I believe as a direct
result of this appalling system. Three weeks ago I was told by the
DWP that I would be hearing within three weeks. This morning I
phoned and was told my claim was awaiting a decision and it would
take another week to process. This appallingly chaotic system needs
to be thoroughly investigated as myexperience has been an utter
shambles from the beginningand I havent even began to mention my
treatment at the hands of ATOS !
My wife applied for PIP having epilepsy and back problems going
back many years after a bike accident. This was 13th September, her
forms were passed to ATOS within 2 weeks and they put her on the
waiting list for a face to face, today 16th April she is still
awaiting an appointment.Despite many phone calls to ATOS we get the
usual sorry theres no cancellations, but you aremoving up the
waiting list. It seems this is the norm for many people yet nothing
can be done and there is nobody you can turn to to air your
complaint, DWP just say its all on ATOS and they have no say in the
matter!!
Update 07/05/14 Contacted my local MP Charlie Elphicke who
replied by letter to simply state he applauded the work i done as a
carer for my wife and that he was aware of the long waiting times
and was monitoring it. So much for getting your local MPs
help!!!!
my daughter was recieveing DLA for depression, mental health
issues and aspurgusuntil she turned 16 when it suddenly stopped
with no warning. I phoned DLA who told me she would now have to
claim PIP. I filled out forms and sent them back in dec 2013 and
she is still waiting today. I dont get any money for her and im on
benefits myself. PIP is supposed to help my daughter in her life
yet all this has done
Page 25
-
is cause a lot of stress for all of us. I have had to turn to
the foodbank and had to sell things I own to survive day to day and
my daughter once again stays in her room every day all dayI think
its a disgrace that people who need help are having to wait so long
for it.
I was wondering if perhaps you should approach your local social
services for support with your daughter.Asperges doesnt just go
away at 16.Maybe they can put you in touch with a support group.I
can sympathise with you as I havean 18 year old daughter who has
Lupus and inflammatory athritis.She hasnt heard anything with
regards to her PIP claim after months either.Take care anyway
Caroline x
Capita are no better every time you call its a different story I
have put a complaint in not sure that will even be sorted out Im
really confused they all seem as if there trained to lie. Ive only
been waiting two months but got no where it seems very stupid do
they back date the money when if they finally sort things out Im
struggling to work only part time now its a struggle
i had the same problem, it took 3 times to get capita to come
out, finally dec last yr some lady did.. the first 2 appointments
no body turned up. i felt like nobody cares about the disabled,
unless you got no limbs theyll make you work. i didnt expect me to
be ill im 47, but it has..i suffer with anxiety and this has made
me so ill on top of having other phyisical illness.wheres our human
rights, they need to stop this and go back to how it was. i cant
sleep i have had housing benifit etc stopped, now i finally am
going on tosupport allowance. but all this change over makes me so
ill.i struggle with making calls im so anxious, i talk my self out
of ringing .. i have nobody to help me.
I suffer from M.E or post viral fatigue syndrome.I applied after
FINALLY admitting that I needed helpI was immediately given ESA
(support group) for ATOS (I nearly fainted that I did not have to
appeal!)I applied for PIP on Dec 6th 2013I got an appointment for
an interview with CAPITA for the 28th of Jan 2014No one turned up.
no Call, no E-mail no nothing to say why, or to re-arrangeDue to my
situation I then forgot about the interview, sleeping a lot tends
to do that, and when awake you just need to do things that are
REALLY important like getting food., or paying the rent etcI
eventually found the appointment letter again, E-mailed Capita and
got a new date for the 6th of May, thankfully they actually arrived
this time so now it is just a case of waiting for the DWP.I have
received no apology from Capita for the lack of attendance on the
28th of Jan, I did not even ghet an acknowledgement of my E-mail,
just the new appointment
Page 26
-
My son has Aspergers and Neurological Nystagmus and was in
receipt of DLA. When he reached 16 his money was stopped and he was
told to apply for PIP. That was 1st July, 2013. After many phone
calls an appointment was made for December for Atos but they failed
to attend blaming DWP for giving them an incorrect contact number
(DWP dispute this). A further appointment was made and cancelled
and we finally saw them at the end if January.
This was a 24 min assessment as my son became distressed so they
finished it early. It was carried out by a nurse who didnt examine
or ask any questions about my sons eyes or ask about his ASD. It
took her four weeks to provide her report even though she was
typing it when we were there and decided that he was a normal
teenager with no visual impairments. He was given 0 points. I have
asked for a review.
MY ADVICE to anyone starting the process is to send all
paperwork, medical reportsetc with your application as Atos dont
often even contact your medical team. My sons decision and many
others have been purely based on the short assessment with, quite
often, a health professional with no experience if their condition.
Also print off a copy of the PIP points system and be guided by
that.
My husband has pulmonary fibrosis and is deteriorating more
rapidly than his respiratory team envisaged. C.A.B. worker
completed a PIP claim for him in December 2013 and we had phone
confirmation that the claim had been received.We have now been
given an end of life care plan to complete and still no word re his
claim. We dont meet the criteria for Carers Allowance or any other
support as Ihave a pension. We used savings to buy a bed and fit a
walk in shower downstairs as he can no longer get upstairs. What
happens to his claim if he dies before they actually get around to
dealing with it? I cant afford to pay for personal care and
ourvisiting medical team only provide medical care.People struggle
enough when facing ill health and disability without the additional
stress of trying to actually get what they have paid for throughout
almost 40 years (each!) of full employment.
I also applied last july (17th) rang again this morning to be
told its with the assessor who did my interview in January still,
told the man on other end I was told 2 weeks ago it was now in a
pile for the file to be looked out because they have got more
staff, he replied you shouldnt have been told that.
Over the weekend my 11 year old son was having to get me up off
the floor because I was having to crawl due to the pain in my back
& hips.
Have had enough now, operation on discs not worked &
consultant said he wont operate again, fluid on my hip which they
wont drain, tried drugs which dont work, already had depression
which is now worse, hardly leave the house.
Have told them this morning I want to make a complaint.
I applied for pip as I had been advised to by numerous people
inc someone from the DWP.I have had agoraphobia,anxiety issues re
abuse since childhood inc rape,broken bones,burgled 3 times.Frozen
shoulder in both arms.Arthritis,osteoporitis.Severe blinding
sickening
Page 27
-
migraines.Depression.Incontinence.Ocd.GORD.I applied last yr and
received an interview recently.Embarrassing to say the least.I
cannot bathe as Im unable to get in and out of the bath.Im unable
to reach to wash parts which now smell,sore,chafe.No one to help me
dress.Have been braless for over a year,and 42gg.Awful sight.Cant
cook or hold a brush to make myself presentable.Gained 4 stone by
no exercise and eating quick non cooked food like
buns,fruit,cereal,carbs based rubbish.Have a person who takes me on
a quiet day to bank,shop,chemist for medson prescription inc pain
killers.All this once a month only .Ive eaten nothing for days
sometimes.Seen no one for 4 weeks.Non one works to care for someone
for nothing unless its family,friends.As a recluse Ive no one.Still
waiting to see if Im worthy of pip.
I rang the DWP to see how long my claim would take and was told
at least 26 weeks before I even get to hear about getting an
assessment with ATOS health.Something is very wrong with this
system and people who desperately need the money for help are
missing out and suffering as a result. Unless you are long term
sick you have no idea how much your lifestyle changes, how quickly
you become isolated and dependant on others for help and charity
and as a result how depressed and low you eventually become to the
point you just feel like not bothering to claim, or alternativly
you condition gets so bad you die. Possibly this isthe intention of
the new system, it certainly is not person focused, kind or caring
:-))
hi ,my husband Robert became very ill at xmas he had got to give
up work,he is 64 this june. they told him it was bile duct cancer
and had to have an op in leeds to remove most of his internal
organs, we put in for pip in jan this year ,we still have not had a
letter and when we rang up they told us it can take 24 weeks for a
letter then an assessment could be 18 months, we waited another
month NO letter so I rang again and they said they would send one
out I told them I wanted to speak to a supervisor but they told me
somebody would ring me in 5 days .yep you guessed it its now 5 days
no call .I am starting a video diary about this pip it sucks.my
hubby underwent a 7 hour op on Monday to try remove the cancer he
worked everyday as have I ,and this is how we get treated am sick
to death with the system and sick of pip.as soon as my hubby gets
well am going to be kicking off big time ,hang your heads in shame
pip.
Been on sick since 6/5/12 ( only 40 percent of lung capacity )
still awaiting atos assessmenthow long do you have to be on sick
lines before they do any action?
Hi the PIP process is a complete joke. My father has been
waiting on a decision nowsince last year. My mother looks after him
and is unable to work due this and they are only getting ESA. They
waited 26weeks then called then were told they had to wait another
3 weeks (that time was up last week) called them last Monday and
was told to give them yet another week as everything is there but
no decision has
Page 28
-
been made yet. Called today and yet again no decision made and
we were simply told to wait another 2-3 weeks. Please does anyone
no why this is taking so long and if there is anyone else we can
speak to as I feel this is completely ridiculous.
For anyone reading I have an update about my fathers pips
claim.We have contacted to office of our local MP who have been
really helpful. They have taken all of the details and are
contacting DWP on our behalf to push for an answer. Hopefully this
will give us an answer quicker. I will post again to give an
update
just thought i wauld share my experience with pip i put a claim
in october of 2013had my assesment on the 29th of april this year
pip got my assement back on the 2nd of may i have runf them to day
but still no still no decione as yet .x
I have severe irlen syndrome, asthma and social anxiety.I
struggle with everyday life. Im 16yrs old and even getting on a
10min bus rode to college everyday is a huge task for me. Im
constantly stuck in my room and id love to go out and spendtime
with my friends. I cant go out when its summer, because i get
constant migraines and high levels of stress due to brightness of
outside.My diagnostics has concern for me, and she has put me down
for and irlen glasses test. But unfortunately i can not afford
these glasses (289.50).I have sent out my pip form along with a
report, a docotrs report on my anxiety and my inhalor box.This was
2months ago (March 22nd).
Ive still not heard off them.
Anyone one know how long i will hear from them?
I put in a claim for pip in August 2013. I had not heard
anything by march thisyear so rang and they said I am on the list
for an assessment and should hear soon.still no letter or anything.
I had vulva cancer. suffering from lymphodema and side effects of
radiotherapy.can hardly walk sometimes. I am in pain every day due
to ulcerations and genital lymphodema.
I have been waiting since last October for my PIPS assessment;
they know I need one but they just cant give me an appointment this
has a knock on effect of preventing me and my family from claiming
other benefits (eg attendance allowance) which unfortunately is
leaving us vulnerable to financial poverty [PostedMay 20th
2014]
3 Further Reading Disability benefits contractor runs into
trouble - video National Audit Office - Personal
IndependencePayment: early progress - Summary National Audit Office
- Personal Independence Payment: early progress - Full Report
Shocking PIP figure raises new Motability concerns
Page 29
-
Personal Independence Payments: a failing system is trapping
disabled people without benefits Letter of Complaint to Capita over
PIP Assessment, publised on the Web Life in the PIP queue: Family
lose Motability vehicle due to PIP delays Civil servants deployed
to help Capita clear PIP assessments backlog Personal independence
payments are a punishment of the poor and ill Atos misled ministers
to win lucrative contract assessing disabled for benefits Sick and
disabled made to wait for more than six months to know if they will
get benefit Disability rights 'disgrace': Terminally ill facing
distress and financial difficulty for weeks because
of delays in benefits contract
Page 30
1 Introduction2 Personal Testimonies3 Further Reading