Request for assessment change

Hi Mary71

You can submit the request, but be aware that your chances of them changing it to a paper-based one are small. If you could get a letter from a health professional to back up your request, it may improve your chances. I'm not saying they will outright refuse—indeed, they have to consider it properly—but a much smaller number of paper-based assessments are carried out in comparison to telephone ones. Push the point that you will be at a disadvantage if you have to have a long telephone conversation. If it is appropriate you want to say that a telephone assessment would cause you "overwhelming psychological distress."

I would mention that if you're asking for a paper-based decision - I hope that you are confident that you have already provided them with sufficient information. Obviously, the disadvantage of the paper-based assessment when requested by the claimant - the assessor can't clarify anything.

BIS