equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
I am in the process of checking this - I've now searched for two hours and I can't find anything referring to this.
Have you checked with the benefits and work website ?
Atos Medicals - Questions, Answers and Support
- Thread starter Zabo
- Start date
Have you checked with the benefits and work website ?
WouldBe
Dislicksick
That's just ATOS trying to pass the buck back to the government.
First ATOS assessment I had was secretly recorded. At one point I said "I occasionally hoover and dust". The ATOS report said "I hoover and dust" in several sections of the report making it sound like I've got OCD. This is blatantly ATOS' fault as they wrote the crappy software and charge the government several £million quid a year to use it
I was declared fit for work at this assessment.The second assessment I had I insisted it was recorded. When ATOS claimed they knew nothing about this request, even though it was on the first page of the ES50, I pulled a Dictaphone from my pocket and said I'd record it. Assessor went white and started panicking and refusing to do the assessment. So I pulled the batteries out of the Dictaphone but left the one in my sisters handbag running. Assessor kept glancing at my sister all the way through the assessment. This time I went straight into the support group, no need to appeal at all.
No doubt that's what ATOS are doing, and if either they or the DWP were honourable i'd be more critical.
They have blood on their hands and no amount of wiping, particularly on IDS' nice expensive suit, will change that.
They have blood on their hands and no amount of wiping, particularly on IDS' nice expensive suit, will change that.
That doesn't excuse them from the way they've been executing their instructions. Perhaps they should have employed competent people? Perhaps they should have employed people who bothered to be prepared? Perhaps they should have made sure they had sufficient recording equipment? There are so many tales in this thread of sheer basic incompetence, if not downright malice.
I agree entirely.
Yata
Well-Known Member
went to my assessment monday, wasnt really that prepared i guess but went with my dad and think it went ok although prepared for the worst now they said maybe about 2 weeks for a decision
should be ok though going to be seeing this kind of support place the JC put me onto think its a charity they seemed to be a good place that help people with any kind of illness/disability and said they would help me with appeals etc did all the paperwork last week its a european social fund thing so just waiting for that to go through but they have said if i get benefits suspended then to call them even if it hasnt gone through yet
not gonna let all this put me off making some progress with sorting life out kinda been the week from hell with this crap had a fire in my bathroom last night been a bit stressy and now they gonna up my rent to pay fora new bath and painting bath room but staying hopeful that things gonna be ok
should be ok though going to be seeing this kind of support place the JC put me onto think its a charity they seemed to be a good place that help people with any kind of illness/disability and said they would help me with appeals etc did all the paperwork last week its a european social fund thing so just waiting for that to go through but they have said if i get benefits suspended then to call them even if it hasnt gone through yet
not gonna let all this put me off making some progress with sorting life out kinda been the week from hell with this crap had a fire in my bathroom last night been a bit stressy and now they gonna up my rent to pay fora new bath and painting bath room but staying hopeful that things gonna be ok
chainsawjob
Kipping in the dunes
Thanks. Yes it's reassessment. I was put in the Support Group for six months after being transferred from IB, and this is the first ESA reassessment. I'm not stressing too much now, I've stopped expecting the phone call on a daily basis, sometimes I forget this is still ongoing, it's been so long it hardly seems real any more. I'm sure reality will arrive presently and abruptly though. I agree about having longer between assessments though (and glad you're managing not to stress), if there weren't such a backlog I'd probably be facing a further one about now. It really is hounding though isn't it when someone has had a condition for twenty plus years that a consultant has told them is lifelong and incurable (whether I totally agree or not is by the by), is repeatedly put through this stressful process? Counterproductive.
chainsawjob
Kipping in the dunes
From the article:
Nevermind vilification, intimidation and negative coverage of those poor old professionals, what about the vilification and intimidation of the ill and disabled, who are constantly made out to be liars and scroungers at every turn?
Yata
Well-Known Member
i had a letter saying due to recent changes money is now £xxx per week (same as it was before)
is this because of assessment? its been over a month now and this is all ive heard (got letter about 2-3 weeks after assessment)
theres no mention of assessment on it anywhere it just reads like one of those they send out whenevr theres a change in the system or end of tax year etc except this time amount hasnt changed and i dont think the others said change of circumstance on.
bit annoying cause really i have no idea if its over now or not and i really dont wanna pester the JC over it cause bad shit happens whenever i mention anything to them
is this because of assessment? its been over a month now and this is all ive heard (got letter about 2-3 weeks after assessment)
theres no mention of assessment on it anywhere it just reads like one of those they send out whenevr theres a change in the system or end of tax year etc except this time amount hasnt changed and i dont think the others said change of circumstance on.
bit annoying cause really i have no idea if its over now or not and i really dont wanna pester the JC over it cause bad shit happens whenever i mention anything to them
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
gut feeling (and someone who knows more may be along soon) is that there has been some changes that mean some peoples' benefit will change, and yours for whatever reason hasn't.
I'd be inclined not to pester anyone.
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
I'd be inclined to let it be at this stage. You may have reassessed and there's been no reason to change anything. Their standard letters are a bit crap and confusing at the best of times.
Well done on not losing any money
Another vote for leaving it. For the time being at least. If they've said you're getting the same money then why upset the applecart? And there's every chance it probably is some sort of standard letter which, like eqg has already said, are confusing even at the best of times.
ViolentPanda
Hardly getting over it.
Standard crap "update" letter that the DWP computer shits out at unspecified intervals in order to give you a dose of "Brown Envelope Fever".
One time I had three identical ones in two days!
ViolentPanda
Hardly getting over it.
Which generally gives us not only "Brown Envelope Fever", but "Brown Trouser Syndrome" too!
Which generally gives us not only "Brown Envelope Fever", but "Brown Trouser Syndrome" too!
Doesn't "Brown Trouser Syndrome" automatically rack up 30 points for "behaviour that is unacceptable in public"?
ViolentPanda
Hardly getting over it.
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
I call it karmic payback for the shite they dole outAnd on the ESA-ometer, so they're making a rod for their own backs.
'Cos I've got MS, my condition varies almost daily.
Some days I'm totally incapable of doing anything yet on others I can do stuff.
Now here's the thing.
If I was observed doing things then folk might think I was fine and cheating to get my payments.
This is worrying.
Some days I'm totally incapable of doing anything yet on others I can do stuff.
Now here's the thing.
If I was observed doing things then folk might think I was fine and cheating to get my payments.
This is worrying.
The same goes for M.E. and rheumatoid arthritis. Reach a certain point with these diseases and you will probably only ever be out and about at all on a few better days. Very few people see you when relapsed or recovering after the extra exertion and/or stress the week or so ago.
The same also goes for depression and anxiety. You could be completely unable to even get up on the worst days, but if somebody sees you out on a rare good day, laughing and joking with somebody down the park...
IMHO the fear of being accused of fraud is extremely harmful and scares people off even trying to do what they can by way of self care.
Last edited:
dynamicbaddog
run for your life
Does anyone know the criteria by which these ATOS people assess students? I am on IB for mental health reasons, I have been on this benefit for a long time. Last year I enrolled on a full time foundation course at uni . As I get DLA I kept my entitlement to my IB which they have still been paying me, but last October I had to fill in an ESA50. I didn't hear anything back from them until a few weeks ago when I received a letter saying I have to attend a medical in two weeks time. I am concerned that the decision maker might see my ability to attend a full time course as being capable of work. However I am only able to to attend uni because of the support I get for my disability. I am worried that if they remove my IB that might have a knock on effect and they will start looking into my entitlement to other things such as my DLA which would mess it all up at uni because a lot of the support I get (study skills mentoring,extra money for expenses etc) is given to me because I am a DLA claimant.
Furthermore even if they put me on ESA I would probably end up in the work group,and I'm not sure how that is going to be practical I have no intention of seeking work while I am at uni. There is no way I would be able to continue with my studies and hold down a job at the same time.I successfully finished my foundation year and have been allowed to progress to the first year in September, I know this is going to be really hard work, and I really don't need the additional stress of them mucking round with my benefits. I would normally talk to my mentor at uni about this but it's the holidays and she won't be able to see me until September. I have delayed things by ringing them up and saying I want the medical recorded. They have since sent me another letter saying the appointment on July 30th has now been postphoned and I will be hearing from them again soon. This buys me some more time to seek advice, but I know it's looming
Furthermore even if they put me on ESA I would probably end up in the work group,and I'm not sure how that is going to be practical I have no intention of seeking work while I am at uni. There is no way I would be able to continue with my studies and hold down a job at the same time.I successfully finished my foundation year and have been allowed to progress to the first year in September, I know this is going to be really hard work, and I really don't need the additional stress of them mucking round with my benefits. I would normally talk to my mentor at uni about this but it's the holidays and she won't be able to see me until September. I have delayed things by ringing them up and saying I want the medical recorded. They have since sent me another letter saying the appointment on July 30th has now been postphoned and I will be hearing from them again soon. This buys me some more time to seek advice, but I know it's looming
I think there are a lot of us who vary day to day and worry that good days will be used against us. It is what the appeal system is in place for. I did see a document last year detailing cases granted overturning negative outcomes.
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
As far as I know they don't look at whether you are a student or not, but this is an unusual situation and as anything ATOS does defies logic, I wouldn't put it past them to make some crazy decision based on this status.
I recommend that you speak to someone at your nearest CAB and it's worth joining the benefits and work website to ask the question on thier forums to see what they say - I think this might be the first time this question has been asked on this thread. Interesting that your appointment has been postponed - might be for an innocuous reason (even ill health, oh the irony). It is right to have the appointment recorded. If you can, take someone with you to take notes too and as a witness as it is not unheard of for people to arrive at their appointment to be told that the recording device is out of order.
Congratulations on your academic success so far, you've done really well
Wickerman1
New Member
I don't post on here very often but was always going to post after the news received today, although I see my good friend Yardbird got there before me.
After 11 months since first applying for PIP and two and a half months since being assessed, the DWP brown envelope arrived for Mrs W at lunchtime today. Mrs W was understandably apprehensive and gave it to me to open, convinced that the letter contained bad news. We were therefore happily surprised to find that she has been enhanced Daily Living and Mobility components.
After hugs and a few tears (mainly of relief), my first thought was to ring Yardbird to thank him for his advice and support offline. I would also like to thank the guys on these boards, Equation Girl and Greebo amongst others for their advice and posts that were extremely useful to myself and Mrs W who have never had to lock horns with the DWP/ ATOS before.
It has been tough (it shouldn't have to be that way) and all I can say is, still keep kicking and fighting.
After 11 months since first applying for PIP and two and a half months since being assessed, the DWP brown envelope arrived for Mrs W at lunchtime today. Mrs W was understandably apprehensive and gave it to me to open, convinced that the letter contained bad news. We were therefore happily surprised to find that she has been enhanced Daily Living and Mobility components.
After hugs and a few tears (mainly of relief), my first thought was to ring Yardbird to thank him for his advice and support offline. I would also like to thank the guys on these boards, Equation Girl and Greebo amongst others for their advice and posts that were extremely useful to myself and Mrs W who have never had to lock horns with the DWP/ ATOS before.
It has been tough (it shouldn't have to be that way) and all I can say is, still keep kicking and fighting.
toggle
wobbly
I can't answer ,ost of your query, but I can say that proving you are in reciept of DLA is only one of the possible criteria for the support you are getting from Uni, which will be given through DSA (at least it normally is). If you've been told to give that as the info on your forms, it's simply because that is the easiest way to provide proof you need extra help. You have likely gathered together a bunch of letters and stuff discussing your MH for the proof you needed to claim IB, and that would give you the same result, just requiring slightly longer to explain.
One thing you do want to have a careful look at is the planned changes to DSA eligibility. I know the planned changes would mean I'd loose mine (for dyslexia- which is the largest group of claimants). The gvt are under the impression that unis will make up the shortfall in available support, which is bollocks, but you should find out as much info about this as you can so nothing comes as a supprise.
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
I'm really pleased for you and your wife Wickerman1
Similar threads
- Poll
