This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'PIP appointment letter from Atos does not justify sanction for non-attendance'.


 
Red Zone, 
www.gov.uk/dwp   
2nd Floor Phase 2 
Peel Park, Brunel 
Way, Blackpool,  
FY4 5ES 
 
 
Email: 
 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx 
J Roberts  
 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx 
Our Ref: FOI2020/01618 
 
Date 31 January 2020 
 
 
 
Dear J Roberts, 
 
Thank you for your Freedom of Information (FOI) request received on 15 January.  
 
You asked: 
 
In IR v SSWP (PIP) [2019] UKUT 374 (AAC) it was decided that the stock letter sent to a 
claimant notifying him of an appointment with an HCP in respect of PIP was insufficient to 
warrant a benefit sanction because he failed to attend: 
 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5e1f081e40f0b610fcf6374e/CPIP_2941_2018-
00.pdf 
 
'38. For the reasons already given I do not consider that this is “the language of clear and 
unambiguous mandatory requirement” (as required by Hooper v Secretary of State for Work 
and Pensions). It needed to be clear and unambiguous about the mandatory nature of the 
requirement, e.g.: “YOU MUST ATTEND THIS APPOINTMENT. IF YOU FAIL TO ATTEND 
WITHOUT GOOD REASON THE DECISION MAKER AT THE DEPARTMENT FOR WORK 
AND PENSIONS WILL DISALLOW YOUR CLAIM."'  
 
On the key passage from the letter: 
 
'29. "...It is important that you attend this appointment. If you fail to attend without good 
reason the decision maker at the Department for Work and Pensionsis likely to disallow your 
claim.If you can’t attend please contact our Customer Service Centre straightaway on [phone 
number to be inserted].”' 
 
Judge Wikeley wrote:  
 
'34. I am not persuaded that the letter imposes a mandatory legal requirement as such. The 
key passage is that in bold (see paragraph 29 above). The first sentence is that “It is 
important that you attend this appointment”. This by itself plainly fails the test as laid down in 
the case law.' 
 
Please provide the current letters used by ATOS and Capita to notify claimants of 
appointments with HCPs for PIP assessments.
” 
 
DWP Response: 
 

 
As requested, please find attached the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) appointment 
letters that are used by the PIP assessment providers, Independent Assessment Services 
(IAS) and Capita. 
 
If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me quoting the reference number 
above. 
 
Yours sincerely, 
 
Contracted Health and Employment Services FOI Team 
Department for Work and Pensions 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
Your right to complain under the Freedom of Information Act 
 
If you are not happy with this response you may request an internal review by e-mailing freedom-of-information-
xxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx 
or by writing to DWP, Central FOI Team, Caxton House, Tothill Street, London, SW1H 
9NA. Any review request should be submitted within two months of the date of this letter.  
 
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review you may apply directly to the Information 
Commissioner’s Office for a decision. General y, the Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have 
exhausted our own complaints procedure. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information 
Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF 
Web: https://ico.org.uk/Global/contact_us  or telephone 0303 123 1113 or 01625 545745