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ICE: Complaint not upheld

Hi Folks, I had to take a break from posting a while ago as I was going through a very dark time with anxiety and panic attacks. I've just popped back to let you know that a full 2 years after my PIP assessment that went horribly wrong ICE have rejected any wrong doing by IAS then ATOS apart from the length of time it took for investigating my initial complaint. For this they have been asked to apologise to me and pay a consolitary £35. I consider this the final blow, a complete insult after what I went through. Most of ICE's final report just went over everything that happened as if my claim had been handled the way it should have been. By page 23 their reason for rejection was given as only being able to "consider complaints of maladministration (service failure) rather than any disputes about the benefit decision." This rules out completely any complaint about the quality of my report, whether there is information on there that is false even when I had supplied them with documentary proof that lies were written about me. What a waste of time !! I do not have the energy to take this any further especially as my first review is coming up next January which at the moment I can't face. So if anyone could let me know what to expect and how best to ensure the same thing doesn't happen again I'd really appreciate it.
I'm also involved with supporting MOH, carer to our adopted son who has a health assessment coming up. If I need help with this I'll start a new discussion. Thanks for reading.
WILDLIFE X
I'm also involved with supporting MOH, carer to our adopted son who has a health assessment coming up. If I need help with this I'll start a new discussion. Thanks for reading.
WILDLIFE X
Replies
The issue is that I'm now being reassessed and they're using that report as part of the evidence even though it's total rubbish. I'm waiting for the next one and if it's just as bad, this time I will appeal.
Now I'm facing a review next year. I'll go mad if they use the last report. I was watching TV about NHS fraud. Oh how I wish they'd investigate assessor's qualifications. Fake exam certificates or other documents can be obtained so easily and I bet a lot of the so called HCP's haven't ever worked in their supposed profession but I've got no where to go now except to keep telling my story.
Sorry to hear all this. Something has to change. My concern is now for the majority of good members like yourself.
Having myself felt the full abusive and harsh treatment of the whole debacle of assessments.
All my thoughts are on this forum every day seeing the brutal heart wrenching treatment of our members and community.
I will always continue to support the community who have experienced the assessments and all that the harm and hurt they cause.
Please keep in touch and good to hear from you.
@thespiceman
I'm now bracing myself for my son's ESA to be changed or turned down. We adopted him at 18 months old and he was very damaged even at such a young age, physically abused by his Birth Mother and during his teens was targeted by others and the police who wrongly arrested him aged 16 for a burglary he knew nothing about. He was at home at the time but no-one would believe him or me in a statement I gave. He went off the rails after that and, though he's settled down in the last 6 years or so he now hates authority and won't engage with Doctors or anyone he doesn't know. So we lack evidence and a proper diagnosis apart from LD's. He lives quietly by himself and my wonderful hubby goes over every morning to make sure he's OK and has everything he needs. If the same happens to him as happened to me I hate to think what effect it will have on him. I'm his appointee just for paperwork as I can't cope with more than that. His assessment is in 10 days time.
Sorry I'm waffling on but they have no idea what they're doing to people.......
Always a place here anytime you wish to.
You are not waffling you are making common sense. Since you left I have used my knowledge and expertise gained to become community champion on this forum.
I have travelled the road of assessments and the constant anxiety of everything around the whole system.
Had have intervention from a well meaning support worker who realised my situation was ridiculous and not really helping my mental state.
Why keep on reassessing claimants constantly for a period of every eighteen months. Every time changes imagine my attitude and disgust. One says these so called assessors add there lies to say am fit. Another eighteen months again say am unfit.
In between the time spending with employment services and as the signing on. Who do not wish to know.
Had one period had ten signing on officers in spate of six months. Plus various do not want to know training companies. This my own personal concern and worry for the community.
Why keep reassessing any one over fifty plus or a certain disabilities and mental health know never going to get better. Even after the evaluations mystifies me all the time every time I read a story.
All I can say . Understand your anxiety and distress.
Anything I can be supportive with please consider me a listening ear a friend.
I am always here.
Please take care.
@thespiceman
Well done you for becoming a community champion. I was invited to be one but didn't want to be restricted in what I could say. I have my own guidelines based on excellent moral standards which is why I get so upset about the way people are being treated. Take care and I'll be around for a while......
I say this because I do believe now with the current problems with the whole process of PIP. It is becoming evident to a lot of MP's what is happening to our community.
I see and read a lot of the politics on the media outlets. Have and do also read many of the MP's comments and references to the system.
Add to that many members of our community have got their MP involved some having positive results.
I know myself having problems all the time with any assessment I do. I know more now related to the assessment procedure and system. Than I ever did. Been a learning experience and an education being on this forum.
All of us whoever we are in this community have had bad experiences and emotions, feelings around there assessment. Made to feel insecure, belittled and bullied into sometimes difficult situations. With any assessor that does the assessment.
As a member of this community you need the strength and courage to go forward. I hope as a community we can assist and support you.
Hope you take care. Great to speak to you.
@thespiceman
Last year I decided to apply for DLA for DS for the first time ever. So I got a copy of the application form. One Friday night I sat on my bed filling out the form with a glass of tequila on my bedside table as a source of support. Then I had my son’s amazing social worker check the form carefully before I sent it off with the additional supporting information. I made photocopies of the letters and reports from the doctors and therapists.
I made full use of the extra boxes. I even used a guide to help me fill out the paperwork.
Only to learn several weeks later they didn’t believe me and rejected the form. I got the assessment report in the mail from them. It was full of inaccurate information. I felt my soul drop into my shoes as I was reading the assessment report. With a red pen I circled each wrong statement.
So I appealed the decision immediately. It is definitely demoralising. I typed up a short appeal letter on my computer and sent it off last week. Hopefully we’ll hear something soon.
Always here anytime to give you support.
Your friend.
@thespiceman
"I have noted your comments around the standard of English in the HCP's report, specifically that it was not clear and concise and that the information recorded was inaccurate; Whilst the HCP may not have drafted their report as you would have liked them to, that does not mean the report was incorrect or unfit for purpose". They go on to say if they identify recurring service failures on the part of IAS they will provide feedback to DWP.
Bearing in mind lies even with evidential proof are not part of their investigation they will not be reported to DWP by ICE.
The last paragraph states they are closing my case and if I contact them again they will not reply.
Permission to scream. This is the final "head banging against a brick wall" apart from the Parliamentary Ombudsman. Anyone got any experience of reporting a complaint to them.
Is it worth contacting you MP?
I am always here if you need any support..
Is worth for example contacting. These disability websites . One called Benefits and works.
You never know any advice they can help with .Even Disability news. Could tell them what is happening both websites see what they come up with.
Only some suggestions. Never give up.
Your friend.
@thespiceman