Atos Medicals - Questions, Answers and Support

[hitmouse]

Oh, and what's the current guidance about being accompanied? I suppose it's a bit irrelevant with phone interviews, but if it's in-person is there still a right to be accompanied?

 

[LakieLady]

Being accompanied is fine from the DWP's point of view, and I recommend it.

Ime, the assessor's report is less likely to be a pack of lies when there's a 3rd party present, especially if that 3rd party is taking notes of the answers given. And they make very good supporting evidence in appeals - judges love a contemporaneous record!

Back in the day, frontline staff were allowed to attend assessments with clients and I always got them to take notes. There was definitely a higher rate of success when the client was accompanied.

 

[brogdale]

Being accompanied is fine from the DWP's point of view, and I recommend it.

Ime, the assessor's report is less likely to be a pack of lies when there's a 3rd party present, especially if that 3rd party is taking notes of the answers given. And they make very good supporting evidence in appeals - judges love a contemporaneous record!

Back in the day, frontline staff were allowed to attend assessments with clients and I always got them to take notes. There was definitely a higher rate of success when the client was accompanied.

This.

 

[Dystopiary]

If it's in-person, be mindful of being watched/listened to before and after the interview. Like, if you say you got a lift but got off at the bus-stop outside the place. The nice receptionist is likely taking notes too. Anyone accompanying needs to be aware of the need to be careful what they say. You get well-meaning relatives chatting about what their morning's been like (including the client's) to other people in the waiting room and it's a big no cause they'll twist that. Any little thing they will use against you. You probably know this hitmouse but worth putting here I think.

Some great links on the previous page, nice one. And yes, don't rush to give answers.

In a society that encourages people to play down disability/health issues and not make a fuss, it can be hard to lay it on with a trowel how bad it can be but it's necessary here.

 

[brogdale]

If it's in-person, be mindful of being watched/listened to before and after the interview. Like, if you say you got a lift but got off at the bus-stop outside the place. The nice receptionist is likely taking notes too. Anyone accompanying needs to be aware of the need to be careful what they say. You get well-meaning relatives chatting about what their morning's been like (including the client's) to other people in the waiting room and it's a big no cause they'll twist that. Any little thing they will use against you. You probably know this hitmouse but worth putting here I think.

Some great links on the previous page, nice one. And yes, don't rush to give answers.

In a society that encourages people to play down disability/health issues and not make a fuss, it can be hard to lay it on with a trowel how bad it can be but it's necessary here.

Yep, always focus on what a "bad day" is like.