Contacting government departments

[eighthobstruction]

....Yes the experience of 10 calls to different DWP deptments over 2 days (and about 5 hours of staccato Vivaldi) every answer was slightly different and unhelpful is fresh in my mind - no matter how helpful they sounded, and no matter how emphatic their answers. Again it was CAB who were the stars.

[Dave2002]

....Yes the experience of 10 calls to different DWP deptments over 2 days (and about 5 hours of staccato Vivaldi) every answer was slightly different and unhelpful is fresh in my mind - no matter how helpful they sounded, and no matter how emphatic their answers. Again it was CAB who were the stars.

But in the end surely it's the departments which have the power to actually "do" things, or does the CAB facilitate that?

[eighthobstruction]

But in the end surely it's the departments which have the power to actually "do" things, or does the CAB facilitate that?

....no, I'm saying that the info CAB gives is usually correct and definitive, and if you use it with references to which legislation is relevant it will sway the DWP thinking, hence decision....they are voluntary so always leave a donation....once you could phone for advise, but that is now not available at our CAB, you have to have face to face on a turn up and wait basis....someone with the right type of mind would find it a very interesting voluntary project i would think....

[MrGongGong]

Even without the paranoia aspect, recording every exchange is essential. .

If you need to record a PIP assessment (and trust me, if you asked to go to one you really need to as the "report" is likely to be as credible as anything by Beatrix Potter) you need to ask for permission BEFORE (they don't tell you this).... Oh and you need to make 2 recordings, one on cassette (they tell you to get a "double cassette recorder" ... you know, like the police used in the 1970's , but they won't let you plug it in... so 2 x machines powered by batteries) for them (which they will lose and pretend never existed).

and so on and so on and so on

[Serial_Apologist]

....no, I'm saying that the info CAB gives is usually correct and definitive, and if you use it with references to which legislation is relevant it will sway the DWP thinking, hence decision....they are voluntary so always leave a donation....once you could phone for advise, but that is now not available at our CAB, you have to have face to face on a turn up and wait basis....someone with the right type of mind would find it a very interesting voluntary project i would think....

Incidentally, I don't know if it's the same in all areas, but, having been advised to visit my nearest CAB over a matter too boring to go into here, I was told that this was incorrect and I could only use the office in my own borough (Southwark). Subsequent information revealed that it had to be the branch over in Peckham, 5 miles away, not the S Norwood one, 3 miles. That's one single CAB branch expected to cater for one of the most poverty-stricken areas of the UK, with a population of over 300,000.

[oddoneout]

If you need to record a PIP assessment (and trust me, if you asked to go to one you really need to as the "report" is likely to be as credible as anything by Beatrix Potter) you need to ask for permission BEFORE (they don't tell you this).... Oh and you need to make 2 recordings, one on cassette (they tell you to get a "double cassette recorder" ... you know, like the police used in the 1970's , but they won't let you plug it in... so 2 x machines powered by batteries) for them (which they will lose and pretend never existed).

and so on and so on and so on

I was using recording as in 'make note of' rather than using a device to make an audio recording. I'm aware from another forum I belong to of the multiple deterrent factors associated with PIP applications and altercations, and sincerely hope I'm never in the position of needing to get involved.