Atos Medicals - Questions, Answers and Support

[equationgirl]

I've been on IB since 2004, eqg, so it's not really a recent award. Thanks for offering to help , I may take you up on that, though ATM I'm 3/4 of the way down a 3 bot of frosty jack's, so we'll leave that for now til I'm in a better state. I'm actually alright at filling in forms, I've got a few mates who have, in the past, asked me to do their PCA forms for incapacity & I always got a result - This ESA is uncharted waters though. I'm on the sick for mental health plus substance issues & I'm not under a psychiatrist (ooer), so I am in the target group for being latered off the sick. Which is why I'm not exactly resigned to, but prepared for being given the golden boot from the sick. I didn't end up subscribing to benefits & work but what I did do was pay a tenner to just get the ESA guides, though being a bit shit with computers, I can't print them off , and I do find paper a lot easier to deal with than screens - Me sister's going to sort that for me though.

One thing to watch out for is that the ESA isn't geared up for mental health incapacity, only physical incapacity. Don't forget to make a list of all the meds you're on - if you would like me look up the side effects, just let me know.

 

[Libertad]

It's a real pain in the arse Frances but having filled in two of these ESA's I found it helped to fill them out once in rough and then do the job for real. When you fill it out though change the pen you're using after one or two of the sections. This will help reinforce the idea that you didn't sit down and fill it in all in one go. (The logic being that you could not sit down for three hours in one place, concentrate for the duration of the form filling etc.)
Not good to feel that you're 'playing the system' but they're such sneaky bastards that you have to use anything you can to try and sway things back in your favour.

Good luck with it though, try and get it sent off in good time and get proof of postage.

 

[Frances Lengel]

Cheers Libertad, yeah I always do a rough copy first. That's a decent tip with the changing of pens. I've got no scruples about feeling like I'm playing the system though - Way I see it is the system assumes everyone's out for what they can get, so it's not really about what's actually wrong with you, it's about making yourself appear to fit eligibility criteria. Which is a bit fucked up coz genuine claimants think well, I've paid my stamp all my life, now I'm in a time of need I'll claim what is my due - Which is completely the wrong approach, you do have to approach the whole gig like you're grafting them.

 

[Libertad]

True dat.

 

[equationgirl]

It's a real pain in the arse Frances but having filled in two of these ESA's I found it helped to fill them out once in rough and then do the job for real. When you fill it out though change the pen you're using after one or two of the sections. This will help reinforce the idea that you didn't sit down and fill it in all in one go. (The logic being that you could not sit down for three hours in one place, concentrate for the duration of the form filling etc.)
Not good to feel that you're 'playing the system' but they're such sneaky bastards that you have to use anything you can to try and sway things back in your favour.

Good luck with it though, try and get it sent off in good time and get proof of postage.

Not just proof of postage, proof of receipt at their end. The last thing you want after spending days filling out the wretched thing is for them to lose or deny all receipt of it. It's using their system against them again to give yourself a fighting chance.

I really like that tip about the pens, good one

 

[Frances Lengel]

Saying that about the pens though, it's all just ticking boxes, so it's unlikely any actual human being will be on hand to clock the change of pen.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Well, I got home last night to find a limited capability for work form keeping the doormat company. I'm mildly disgruntled about that because my Incapacity was awarded til October, so I'm being migrated early - That's if I even pass the medical. Which I'm quite resigned to not doing - I'll still have a bash, make a decent fist of it but I can't help feeling this is going to be bathtime for Benjy.

Well if you've been awarded 'til October, and they give you a month to fill form in, it's not really that early is it?

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Saying that about the pens though, it's all just ticking boxes, so it's unlikely any actual human being will be on hand to clock the change of pen.

You could always say though that you're too skint to buy a new pen

 

[Frances Lengel]

Well if you've been awarded 'til October, and they give you a month to fill form in, it's not really that early is it?

I thought this thread was supposed to be about solidarity - *Takes the fuckin huff*

Nah jesus Minnie, have I ever been sly on you?

 

[Frances Lengel]

You could always say though that you're too skint to buy a new pen

That's not funny either.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I thought this thread was supposed to be about solidarity - *Takes the fuckin huff*

Nah jesus Minnie, have I ever been sly on you?

If it's any consolation, at least you knew it was going to be October. Friend's last award was indefinite, so I'm pissed about the "indefinite" came so fast

 

[treelover]

'Well if you've been awarded 'til October, and they give you a month to fill form in, it's not really that early is it? '


If people have say, cognitive issues, then a month is not long enough, they have removed any option for requests for extensions, only after the fact decisions...

 

[Greebo]

<snip>If people have say, cognitive issues, then a month is not long enough, they have removed any option for requests for extensions, only after the fact decisions...

Particularly when what you can or can't do doesn't quite fit any of the available tickbox options.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

'Well if you've been awarded 'til October, and they give you a month to fill form in, it's not really that early is it? '

That's what I said. Frances wasn't happy

 

[Frankie Jack]

'Well if you've been awarded 'til October, and they give you a month to fill form in, it's not really that early is it? '


If people have say, cognitive issues, then a month is not long enough, they have removed any option for requests for extensions, only after the fact decisions...

Really! No extensions now?

ETA.. I have been advising people who don't yet have their call up to WCA to gather info and specialist reports from YESTERDAY anyway.

 

[Frances Lengel]

That's what I said. Frances wasn't happy

Soz, I was a bit over sensitive there.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Soz, I was a bit over sensitive there.

Not to worry

 

[Frances Lengel]

'Well if you've been awarded 'til October, and they give you a month to fill form in, it's not really that early is it? '


If people have say, cognitive issues, then a month is not long enough, they have removed any option for requests for extensions, only after the fact decisions...

Yes, it is early - When I got my last award letter it said something along the lines of Dear Mr Wankerchops, due to the nature of your illness, you do not have to attend a medical and your benefits will next be reviewed in October 2012 - It's not even September yet, and the form's got to be in by the 18th of Sep, so that, by any definition, is early. The dirty gets are sniding me out of a months worth of IB. I know ATOS have done a lot worse to a lot of other people, but this is me we're talking about - I'm sure when viewed in that light you'll understand why I feel so aggrieved.

 

[treelover]

Really! No extensions now?

ETA.. I have been advising people who don't yet have their call up to WCA to gather info and specialist reports from YESTERDAY anyway.

I can see that, but some people won't be called for another year, any medical support, etc could be out of date by then, but overall yes..

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Yes, it is early - When I got my last award letter it said something along the lines of Dear Mr Wankerchops, due to the nature of your illness, you do not have to attend a medical and your benefits will next be reviewed in October 2012 - It's not even September yet, and the form's got to be in by the 18th of Sep, so that, by any definition, is early. The dirty gets are sniding me out of a months worth of IB. I know ATOS have done a lot worse to a lot of other people, but this is me we're talking about - I'm sure when viewed in that light you'll understand why I feel so aggrieved.

I understand that perfectly, and it's disgusting that they now only give you a month to fill it in.

I did last DLA form in November 2010, and it was first time indefinite award was made. I hoped it meant no forms to fill in for at least a couple of years, but noooooooooooooo

 

[Libertad]

If you want a laugh then here's the ATOS Customer Charter:

http://www.atoshealthcare.com/claimants/our_customer_charter

 

[Libertad]

If you want something to make you scream with anger then here's a Health Professional with Bipolar Disorder attending their WCA:

http://purplepersuasion.wordpress.c...periences-of-atos-work-capability-assessment/

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

If you want something to make you scream with anger then here's a Health Professional with Bipolar Disorder attending their WCA:

http://purplepersuasion.wordpress.c...periences-of-atos-work-capability-assessment/

Jesus Christ

“OK, so I am Marjorie.” This felt like a better start; at least she’d volunteered her first name.

“Marjorie…?” enquired M, pen poised.

Marjorie fixed him with a steely glance. “And who are you?”

He replied, “I’m M________ W________,” with heavy emphasis on his family name. “I’m her partner and carer.”

Margaret ignored the hint and offered no further information about herself. She looked at the notebook, and announced, “You have to ask me whether you can take notes.” She sat back in her chair.

“Wait a minute,” I said. “I’m confused. We’ve just come out of another room, because that assessor wouldn’t let us take notes. So I’d assumed that we would be put with someone who would allow us to take notes, but now you’re saying we can’t do that…?”

She shook her head. “I’m not saying you can’t take notes. I’m saying you have to ask me before you can take notes.”

Maxwell had been adamant we couldn’t take notes at all. Now we could take notes if Marjorie said so? “We have to ask you?” I repeated, checking I understand this move of the goalposts.
“Yes.”

There was a pause. M asked whether, if we asked to take notes, Marjorie would be like to say yes. “You have to ask me first.”

M asked, “Marjorie. Please can I take notes?” I couldn’t look at him. Hearing my partner, someone with line management responsibility for senior NHS clinical staff, asking to take notes like a child asking the teacher to use the toilet, was too surreal.

“Yes, you can.”

 

[Greebo]

If you want a laugh then here's the ATOS Customer Charter:
http://www.atoshealthcare.com/claimants/our_customer_charter

I trust that less than a fox in a henhouse.

If you want something to make you scream with anger then here's a Health Professional with Bipolar Disorder attending their WCA<snip>

FFS! I no longer get angry about things like that because if I did, I'd be angry every waking moment.

 

[WouldBe]

I can see that, but some people won't be called for another year, any medical support, etc could be out of date by then, but overall yes..

Yet ATOS are quite happy to take an 8 year old MRI scan into account.

 

[yardbird]

I can see that, but some people won't be called for another year, any medical support, etc could be out of date by then, but overall yes..

Those medical pros providing reports, like my physio nurse, my Outreach nurse etc are not happy with ATOS - someone is going to have to pay for this service?

 

[Libertad]

My practice manager wants £70 a letter.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

My practice manager wants £70 a letter.

You what?!!

 

[treelover]

I am thinking of going to the NHS Ombudsman about all this, clearly medical evidence is now a prequisite for a successful outcome, if you are denied that or have to pay exhortionate fees than something is wrong..

 

[yardbird]

I am thinking of going to the NHS Ombudsman about all this, clearly medical evidence is now a prequisite for a successful outcome, if you are denied that or have to pay exhortionate fees than something is wrong..

If you have to pay any fees then something is wrong!