Atos Medicals - Questions, Answers and Support

[equationgirl]

Thanks for the kind words, they do help. I'll try and deal with this next week, if I've calmed down enough.

Hope you are feeling a bit better fishfinger.

 

[fishfinger]

Hope you are feeling a bit better fishfinger.

A little bit, thanks

 

[equationgirl]

A little bit, thanks

The time of your posts suggests we're awake at similar times fishfinger - a fellow insomniac?

 

[fishfinger]

The time of your posts suggests we're awake at similar times fishfinger - a fellow insomniac?

Very much so. I hope to get a couple of hours sleep this afternoon

 

[equationgirl]

Very much so. I hope to get a couple of hours sleep this afternoon

SAme here, woke up at 1am, not back off until 5.30.

Can recognise the intrusive thoughts, some very unpleasant stuff appeared around 3am.

 

[fishfinger]

...some very unpleasant stuff appeared around 3am.

Sorry to hear that.

 

[equationgirl]

Sorry to hear that.

Thanks, I managed to eventually get past it. Horrible for a bit though.

 

[WouldBe]

Letter has arrived at the DWP

Just need to send some e-mails out now.

 

[iona]

Anyone able to answer a couple of questions about the ESA50 form quickly?

First thing, do the "physical functions" questions about communication include difficulties caused by something like autism? Or only something like being deaf or physically unable to write/type?

Also - communicating comes under two questions in the physical functions section of the form, "speaking, writing and typing" and "hearing and reading". The first, question 6, seems to be about how well OTHER PEOPLE can understand YOU but it's worded the same as question 7 - "Please tick this box if you understand other people without any difficulty" Should one of those questions say "Please tick this box if other people understand you without any difficulty" instead?

Ta.

 

[friendofdorothy]

Anyone able to answer a couple of questions about the ESA50 form quickly?

First thing, do the "physical functions" questions about communication include difficulties caused by something like autism? Or only something like being deaf or physically unable to write/type?

Also - communicating comes under two questions in the physical functions section of the form, "speaking, writing and typing" and "hearing and reading". The first, question 6, seems to be about how well OTHER PEOPLE can understand YOU but it's worded the same as question 7 - "Please tick this box if you understand other people without any difficulty" Should one of those questions say "Please tick this box if other people understand you without any difficulty" instead?

Ta.

Its a while since someone helped me fill in that form so it may have changed. Their advice was if in doubt include it anyway. And as the form is repetitious just repeat it when asked in answer to several questions.

 

[iona]

Its a while since someone helped me fill in that form so it may have changed. Their advice was if in doubt include it anyway. And as the form is repetitious just repeat it when asked in answer to several questions.

Thanks I probably would've given that advice to anyone else myself. Just get paralysed needing to do stuff *the right way*

 

[WouldBe]

Just sent an e-mail to C4 news.

Had a reply from local MP. Want's me to go and see 1 of his case workers. I will if I can find the time and energy to do so.

2 of the ministers say they can't accept e-mails about ministerial business to their MP e-mail account and to send the e-mail to an alternative e-mail address as they can't forward the e-mails and this is government policy. Yet the 3rd minister says any e-mails for the minister will be forwarded. So whether they get the e-mail or not I don't know. May have to re-send them.

 

[Celyn]

Oh well done, WouldBe! In your shoes, I'd be reduced to a gibbering heap hiding in a corner. That's all very efficient of you, NOT that you should have to go through all this.

Could you ask the MP to have either self or a caseworker visit you at home if that would be better for you?

The bit about the ministers is quite crazy. The whole thing really does a great impression of being designed to drive everyone crackers.

Fingers crossed for you.

 

[scifisam]

Well done wouldbe B)

I got given an appointment date for my PIP assessment and it was a date I couldn't do (because I need someone here with me). So I called them up and told them the dates I could do. Naturally this means they've sent a new appointment for a date I can't do.

 

[equationgirl]

Well done wouldbe B)

I got given an appointment date for my PIP assessment and it was a date I couldn't do (because I need someone here with me). So I called them up and told them the dates I could do. Naturally this means they've sent a new appointment for a date I can't do.

Kafka is impressed... Hope you get a suitable appointment soon.

 

[equationgirl]

Brilliant news, WouldBe, can the caseworker come to you?

 

[scifisam]

Kafka is impressed... Hope you get a suitable appointment soon.

I can't change it because they'd count it as a second change (even though they sent the first date without consulting me) and then if there were an emergency and I had to change the next one I'd lose all my benefits.

 

[equationgirl]

I can't change it because they'd count it as a second change (even though they sent the first date without consulting me) and then if there were an emergency and I had to change the next one I'd lose all my benefits.

That's a nightmare, they really are fuckers.

 

[WouldBe]

Brilliant news, WouldBe, can the caseworker come to you?

Possibly but I'm that knackered at the moment I'm struggling to stay awake at the best of times so I'm not sure I could cope with more 'stress' at the moment.

 

[BCBlues]

The last few posts on here are proof that the DWP push people into stressful, worrying, sleepless nights and anger. They really are a horrible bunch.

Fair play WouldBe for fighting back. It's all we can do when we're up for it.

 

[WouldBe]

Looks like they have ignored the letter and have fined me £50 so I owe them £2.4K

First option is to pay it all by debit card.

 

[equationgirl]

Looks like they have ignored the letter and have fined me £50 so I owe them £2.4K

First option is to pay it all by debit card.

Have you contacted your MP about this latest development? Or the local press?

How the fuck is anyone supposed to pay that much money in a lump sum???

 

[WouldBe]

Have you contacted your MP about this latest development? Or the local press?

How the fuck is anyone supposed to pay that much money in a lump sum???

It's fucking ridiculous isn't it.

Phoning MP this afternoon.

 

[equationgirl]

It's fucking ridiculous isn't it.

Phoning MP this afternoon.

Hope you got somewhere x

 

[WouldBe]

Hope you got somewhere x

Seeing a case worker on Monday afternoon.

 

[Celyn]

Good! Fingers crossed.

 

[equationgirl]

Keeping my fingers crossed for you @would be - best of luck x

 

[Pac man]

fishfinger, sorry to hear about your difficulties. I cant believe that a "practice manager" has written this letter, its disgusting. I would put in a complaint firstly stating that this is far from acceptable as you firstly are uncomfortable with anyone other than "your" doctor having access to and sharing your private and confidential information, secondly, its inpersonal and only your doctor knows your needs. Write another letter to your doctor, pleading for another letter from him/her. You do not need the doctor to list any of the daily living tasks that affect your ability to "work", thats too vauge for doctors to do and, ime isnt needed anyway from supporting evidence. The Dr will however say things like "hyper arousal", "anxiety" and "panic" make it extremely difficult for him/her to engage with the public, suffers with chronic depression or pain, has difficulty sleeping, they may even ask you to fill in a GAD form (if not ask for one) then hand it back in. The doctor can then say "scored x on GAD". Explain about the intrusive thoughts and your overwhelming fear of the DWP, the need for support and the fact you have previously engaged with mental health services but to no avail and consequently struggle to engage further due to avoidance with public/services. Finally, tell them its making you suicidal, god knows its enough to push anybody over the edge. Difficulties like these make it hard enough to look for work nevermind hold down a job. DEMAND this letter, get pushy and desperate. Write a letter to the doctor tell them you are coming back and this is the minimum you need from them, make and appointment and let rip. Also you could contact mental health where you had CBT and ask them to forward any/all information they have on file about you, to you and ask your doctor for any letters sent from mental health to him/her about you.

If you have sent in your esa50 form, just forward this evidence on to the decision maker and take it with you if you need to attend a face to face. Finally, dont let the bastards grind you down

 

[fishfinger]

fishfinger, sorry to hear about your difficulties. I cant believe that a "practice manager" has written this letter, its disgusting. I would put in a complaint firstly stating that this is far from acceptable as you firstly are uncomfortable with anyone other than "your" doctor having access to and sharing your private and confidential information, secondly, its inpersonal and only your doctor knows your needs. Write another letter to your doctor, pleading for another letter from him/her. You do not need the doctor to list any of the daily living tasks that affect your ability to "work", thats too vauge for doctors to do and, ime isnt needed anyway from supporting evidence. The Dr will however say things like "hyper arousal", "anxiety" and "panic" make it extremely difficult for him/her to engage with the public, suffers with chronic depression or pain, has difficulty sleeping, they may even ask you to fill in a GAD form (if not ask for one) then hand it back in. The doctor can then say "scored x on GAD". Explain about the intrusive thoughts and your overwhelming fear of the DWP, the need for support and the fact you have previously engaged with mental health services but to no avail and consequently struggle to engage further due to avoidance with public/services. Finally, tell them its making you suicidal, god knows its enough to push anybody over the edge. Difficulties like these make it hard enough to look for work nevermind hold down a job. DEMAND this letter, get pushy and desperate. Write a letter to the doctor tell them you are coming back and this is the minimum you need from them, make and appointment and let rip. Also you could contact mental health where you had CBT and ask them to forward any/all information they have on file about you, to you and ask your doctor for any letters sent from mental health to him/her about you.

If you have sent in your esa50 form, just forward this evidence on to the decision maker and take it with you if you need to attend a face to face. Finally, dont let the bastards grind you down

Thank you very much for your post, you make some very good points. I was going to post about this later today.

After I got the original letter, my wife wrote to the GP complaining about it and made some suggestions for changes to be made. GP called us in for an appointment and we discussed my mental health and the support letter. The appointment went on for about an hour, and I managed to get a lot off my chest. The result of the appointment was a new improved letter that hopefully will make a difference to my appeal. I'm going to the Post Office this morning to send it off to the tribunal.

 

[Pac man]

That sounds promising

Best of luck..