Atos Medicals - Questions, Answers and Support

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I'm not reading that, I'll cry

You should do, if only to uprate the comments section. The most uprated ones are the ones slating the article

 

[geminisnake]

I thought I posted earlier Phoned Doc and WR, someone should phone to come and see me to help fill in form in the next couple of days, it's not WR anymore it's financial something or other. Doc says there is a note of ABI on medical notes and I can go and see them(notes) or ask a few questions which they will look up for me.

A lady from the financial whatsit is coming to help me do the form 12th March Suppose I better try and look at it again and jot rough notes.
I take it scanning the form so I have a copy is a given and proof of posting or recorded delivery for sending it back folks??

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I thought I posted earlier Phoned Doc and WR, someone should phone to come and see me to help fill in form in the next couple of days, it's not WR anymore it's financial something or other. Doc says there is a note of ABI on medical notes and I can go and see them(notes) or ask a few questions which they will look up for me.

A lady from the financial whatsit is coming to help me do the form 12th March Suppose I better try and look at it again and jot rough notes.
I take it scanning the form so I have a copy is a given and proof of posting or recorded delivery for sending it back folks??

Definitely take copies of the form, and get proof of posting and if you don't want the Post Office to open it, mark it Private/Confidential (I forgot to do that)

 

[kittyP]

Still waiting for my second assessment questionnaire from atos (the first one got "accidentally" ripped up) but ESA have been informed we have not received one yet

I am wondering whether we/I would be entitled to DLA.
We just cannot live on the ESA in any way.

But both of us just feel so sick of and defeted by the whole situation already, my mental health issues aside, I don't know if I can face anymore.
.
I guess that's what they rely on huh?

 

[kittyP]

Definitely take copies of the form, and get proof of posting and if you don't want the Post Office to open it, mark it Private/Confidential (I forgot to do that)

Why would the post office open it?

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Why would the post office open it?

They have trusted PO employees who open them

 

[kittyP]

Ok, sorry if this is too much information but I thought it might be best posted in here too.
Should I get Badgers to write a supporting statement to go with the ESA50 form?
C&Ped from another thread.

I was reading in the guide about statements from people who know you personally and that they can help as long as that person does not contradict anything written on the form and is brutally honest.
I am thinking of him saying stuff like that I often drop to the floor crying and rocking with my fingers in my ears and that has happened in the kitchen where it is dangerous. Running and hiding in the bedroom unable to talk.
Self harm that he has seen the effects after the event.
The fact that I am unable to go anywhere with out him or my mum (who lives in Kent) when he is not available to come with me.
The fact that I am mostly a mix of listless and unresponsive or oppositely so tense that I can't coordinate or concentrate properly.
That I vary rarely get out of bed until the afternoon and even then don't get dressed most days.
He has to really push and constantly remind me to get me to do anything like wash myself, do washing, tidy up etc.
He has to do all the shopping and coordinating of finances, benefits claims, answering my phone if I do not recognise the number (which may be the CMHT) etc.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I would

 

[Libertad]

kittyP You should perhaps also consider making a claim for DLA.

 

[kittyP]

kittyP You should perhaps also consider making a claim for DLA.

1 thing at a time. This form needs to be with them by Tuesday so I don't want to get the benefit stopped by it not getting to them on time.
Do you apply for DLA separately?
I a =m still technically employed as well, dunno if that has a bearing on it?

 

[kittyP]

I have also just looked at the actual ESA50 form (printed from the DWP website) and it is different to the guidelines that I have but only slightly.
The sections are numbered differently and it says there should be a section 20 to say if you have filled it in on someone else's behalf and that isn't there on the form I have.
Now I am worried I have the wrong sodding form

 

[Libertad]

DLA is a separate claim. Your employment status(or your partner's) does not affect your eligibility to DLA.

 

[kittyP]

DLA is a separate claim. Your employment status(or your partner's) does not affect your eligibility to DLA.

I will get this done first.
Is it like with the ESA you give them a call and ask them about your eligibility?

 

[Libertad]

I have also just looked at the actual ESA50 form (printed from the DWP website) and it is different to the guidelines that I have but only slightly.
The sections are numbered differently and it says there should be a section 20 to say if you have filled it in on someone else's behalf and that isn't there on the form I have.
Now I am worried I have the wrong sodding form

Hold on kittyP You may need a little help from ViolentPanda Ask nicely cos it's his birthday.

 

[Libertad]

I will get this done first.
Is it like with the ESA you give them a call and ask them about your eligibility?

Ring the Benefits Enquiry Line on 0800 882 200. No need to ask them about your eligibility, get the form first. You then have six weeks to fill it in.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

friend's assessment seemed to go OK this morning - we had decided not to be too unco-operative (so I didn't take written notes)

slightly difficult, as he couldn't remember what he'd put on his form (some months ago) and hadn't taken a copy

the 'health professional' seemed fair and reasonable, so she's either new or good at pretending.

don't know quite how it will go - he is better on most fronts than he was 6 months ago, and did say so (which may have been a tactical error)

I think he's going to get a few 6 point hits on different categories, rather than one 15 point hit. Could well come down to interpretation.

And there's nothing in the assessment about anxiety / depression / fatigue.

Thanks to all for the advice so far. I may be back in a few weeks to discuss appeals...

An update following the 'medical' on 9 January - friend got a letter this morning to the effect he's in the "support group" which is somewhat more than I expected.

Thanks again for the advice and support.

I think this may add weight to the argument that it's worth taking someone with you who can nudge you into telling them more about things.

There is a tendency when asked about health related things either to adopt a 'mustn't grumble' approach and try to gloss things over, or to be reluctant to mention things. Both are not constructive when it comes to persuading someone that you're not well.

And some of the questions are quite subtle trick questions - one question was something like "what would you have done if we'd rung up this morning to postpone the medical?" - most people would be very British and polite about it and said it's not a problem, but since one of the criteria you can score points for is the ability to cope with things being changed, it is part of the assessment, and in some cases it's valid to say you'd not have been able to deal with it.

1 thing at a time. This form needs to be with them by Tuesday so I don't want to get the benefit stopped by it not getting to them on time.

Do you apply for DLA separately?

I a =m still technically employed as well, dunno if that has a bearing on it?

Yes, DLA is claimed separately. More about DLA here. It's not means tested, and it's not relevant whether you're working or not.

It does say you have to have had whatever condition it is for 3 months or more, and be likely to have it for another 6 months at least (i.e. it is intended for long term conditions.)

I agree one thing at a time, though.

Best of luck with the form.

 

[toggle]

1 thing at a time. This form needs to be with them by Tuesday so I don't want to get the benefit stopped by it not getting to them on time.
Do you apply for DLA separately?
I a =m still technically employed as well, dunno if that has a bearing on it?

not at all.

DLA is seperate and is not means tested or reliant on employment status.

and apply asap.

i think the deadline for getting dla rather than pip is soon

 

[ViolentPanda]

I have also just looked at the actual ESA50 form (printed from the DWP website) and it is different to the guidelines that I have but only slightly.
The sections are numbered differently and it says there should be a section 20 to say if you have filled it in on someone else's behalf and that isn't there on the form I have.
Now I am worried I have the wrong sodding form

Right. you need different, totally up-to-date guides to go with the ESA form you downloaded (the form is fine), which is the very latest update.

Just e-mailed them to you.

 

[ViolentPanda]

Ring the Benefits Enquiry Line on 0800 882 200. No need to ask them about your eligibility, get the form first. You then have six weeks to fill it in.

And you should beat the application deadline (before the PIP switch) because you'll have requested the form before the deadline.

 

[kittyP]

Right. you need different, totally up-to-date guides to go with the ESA form you downloaded (the form is fine), which is the very latest update.

Just e-mailed them to you.

Thank youx x x

 

[ViolentPanda]

Thank youx x x

No problem. Happy to be of help!

 

[wtfftw]

I'm having a medical. got the pissing letter today.


I don't even get any fucking money. What use are NI credits anyway?

 

[WouldBe]

Word of warning.

If you're on JSA and go back on ESA then as soon as you phone up to request an ESA form your JSA is closed automatically which will leave you with no money until you manage to fill the form in, get it back to them and they get of their useless arses and do something about it.

 

[Greebo]

I'm having a medical. got the pissing letter today.


I don't even get any fucking money. What use are NI credits anyway?

Not enough NI payments or credits, no pension (except for pensioner's credit).

 

[toggle]

Not enough NI payments or credits, no pension (except for pensioner's credit).

i got a letter a few months agoi sayinf i had 13 years worth of them,. Not entirely sure how i've managed that, but i'm guyessing it's the credits for being the one to claim child benefit thing.

 

[wtfftw]

I'm going to apply for DLA. I've been in tears since I got the fucking post so fuck it. I might as well apply for something that would actually give me money.

Where do I start? Any of you helpful people got guides, please? - specifically for fluctuations I guess.

 

[wtfftw]

Not enough NI payments or credits, no pension (except for pensioner's credit).

That's what I thought.

And I've used up my contributions year of ESA (obviously) and it doesn't look like maternity allowance or whatever is paid if you're ill to start with.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I'm going to apply for DLA. I've been in tears since I got the fucking post so fuck it. I might as well apply for something that would actually give me money.

Where do I start? Any of you helpful people got guides, please? - specifically for fluctuations I guess.

Are you subscribed to B&W website? If not, if you PM your email address, I can probably forward the guides (assuming I can get into B&W as I'm always forgetting password)

 

[wtfftw]

I'm not. Will pm thanks (and no rush, I've been meaning to do this for years).

 

[Ganji]

Ello again folks,
First i appologize for the time it's taken for me to reply. I got pretty down in the dumps and just couldn't get motivated.
Thanks for all the replies and nooo i'm not as much trouble as Firky, That would take some serious effort
I sent in my apeal not long after making my first post which they recieved on the 18th of Jan but i've not heard anything back from them as yet. I managed to get some copies of hospital letters to send with the form aswell as writting god knows how many page's to go with it. I'm waiting on all my notes from the hospital which cost a lot less than i thought it would but i shall forward that on when i recieve it. On the day i was due to post the apeal i recieved a letter from the hospital to tell me that my crohns had spread again and that they wanted to do more surgeries. So that was pretty good timing.
When i originally sent my claim form i forgot to photocopy all the stuff i sent. I stated that a home assessment would be needed as public transport is a no no. It seemed they just binned it all n chucked my claim on the get fkt pile. They didn't give any reasons for why i didn't qualify in the letter recieved or the phone call 2 or 3 days before christmas day. All it/ they said was your benefit is changing to ESA and you need to attend the work related support group.
This time i kept copies of everything sent. It's a joke enit and the amount of grief it's caused people all over the country is just sickening. Some of the things i've read about Atos are terrible and i would say go against human rights but thats just my thinking.
When and if they call me in for a medical or anything i'll take my mrs with me who has to do everything for me. I don't have anybody else to take. Over the past few years i've gradually just got myself deeper and deeper into a rut and stay in the house. I have absolutely no contact with people outside my home. Apart from when i go to the chemist/ doctors or speak with online friends.
2 Days before i was due for the first of the work related support group meeting they phoned to rearrange as the advisor i was meant to see was off sick lol. I told them there was no way i'd have got to it anyway and the same will happen with the next one too as they expect me to travel on public transport to another town. To which they replied "Ok but you'll have to take that up with the advisor when you meet and hung up. They're all a joke enit.
Again i appologize for the legnth of time it took for me to reply.
Thanks for your replies!