Atos Medicals - Questions, Answers and Support

[Frances Lengel]

Some DM comments

Those comments - Aw c'mon, is this how the cut of the jib of these people looks? How can one even attempt to engage with people such as those? The stupid bastards don't even realise once civilisation in the form of social security is dismantled it'll be them and their kids who'll suffer. The gig is fucked, we're all sunk - And whatever dickhead civilisation ends up evolving from the ashes will probably end up in a thousand years resenting whatever social security system they ever end up having in place as well.

Somebody somewhere have mercy please.

Get me out of this shit - Otherwise "Drink til you're dead, Dr Dick said" seems like the only sensible advice - I resent having to do that if that ends up being the case, but a long drawn out death from cirrhosis seems an infinitely better option than watching the frog being boiled.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Comments like that really piss me off. They are clearly from people who've never had a serious illness themselves, who've never felt betrayed by their lack of physical ability.

Where do they think all these jobs come from, what 'internet work' should this woman do?

And I bet Stephen Hawking doesn't work full time either.

and even if Stephen Hawking does work, I bet he's got a carer there with him. He's also probably got plenty of money to pay for a carer

 

[equationgirl]

and even if Stephen Hawking does work, I bet he's got a carer there with him. He's also probably got plenty of money to pay for a carer

I wouldn't be surprised if there are a team of nurses and carers. I don't see the DWP/Atos paying for a team for each person that needs them - leaving aside the whole issue of suitable employment opportunities.

Lots of people want to work, does every employer really employ people with disabilities?

 

[Greebo]

AFAIK in the last documentary I remember which showed Stephen Hawking at Oxford, he had a team of 8 or so assorted nurses and personal assistants - that sounds a lot until you bear in mind that he's a dead weight to lift, you can't employ people to do 12 hour shifts longterm, and a nurse shouldn't really be asked to fetch and carry as well as all the nursing-related tasks.

<snip>Lots of people want to work, does every employer really employ people with disabilities?

Given that I was sent away from one interview for having the gall to take migraine-specific painkillers with the water which was offered (no I couldn't have waited - another half hour and they'd have come straight back up), I doubt it.

 

[Greebo]

Somebody mentioned a mental health thread last page. Can anybody throw us a link please?

Did a search but couldn't see owt. Need some advice on a few things tbf.<snip>

The reason you can't find the mental health thread is that it's in a section for more established members. You don't have to have been here for years, it's to prevent the more sensitive matters from showing up on google.

For the same reason, neither I nor anyone else can give you a link as you wouldn't be able to read or post anything there yet; I think the minimum is 20 days and 50 posts?

 

[Greebo]

Fair enough you'll be seeing me soon

I'll be back

Might I suggest that you get your post count up on the word association thread in the general forum?

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Fair enough you'll be seeing me soon

I'll be back

See you soon Arnie

 

[Greebo]

Fair enough you'll be seeing me soon

I'll be back

You do that.

 

[wtfftw]

It's the way at the medical, as well as coming to fetch you from the waiting area to 'build rapport' and watch if you struggle to move, they also walk too fast which it's really difficult to hurry but also the fire doors are really heavy so try and catch up for that as well.

Tldr: entrapment really.



Ugh. Had mine today.

 

[kittyP]

How long roughly til people hear back from ATOS after sending off the work assessment?

I am not really holding out any hope any more for being found unfit for work
I guess I will just have to keep leaning on mum and dad and fill holes in my NI at another time in the future when I am/if I am better. And it really feels like fucking "if" rather than "when" atm

 

[Frances Lengel]

How long roughly til people hear back from ATOS after sending off the work assessment?

I am not really holding out any hope any more for being found unfit for work
I guess I will just have to keep leaning on mum and dad and fill holes in my NI at another time in the future when I am/if I am better. And it really feels like fucking "if" rather than "when" atm

I can't remember exactly how long mine took, but it wasn't long - I'm sure it was two weeks. I've heard on here of some peoples taking up to six months, but that wasn't the case with me.

Here's hoping you get a result anyway. A result in your favour, obv.

 

[kittyP]

I can't remember exactly how long mine took, but it wasn't long - I'm sure it was two weeks. I've heard on here of some peoples taking up to six months, but that wasn't the case with me.

Here's hoping you get a result anyway. A result in your favour, obv.

Cheers

 

[equationgirl]

Aye, best of luck KittyP

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

How long roughly til people hear back from ATOS after sending off the work assessment?

Just under three month wait for the one I sent off

 

[laptop]

How long roughly til people hear back from ATOS after sending off the work assessment?

I am not really holding out any hope any more for being found unfit for work

Prepare for the worst, but also for the proper result.

When the face-to-face thing actually happens, do what people say here. Take someone with you to take copious notes - or have someone come round if you manage to get a home assessment.

Look at the Rethink factsheet: http://www.rethink.org/document.rm?id=10911

It gives the points awarded for specific disabilities/challenges. You may be surprised how quickly they add up.

The note-taker doesn't have to say anything. In fact I've heard tell that a grimly silent, focussed note-taker frightens the assessor

 

[wtfftw]

I sent my ESA50 back at the end of November and only got my medical appointment letter several weeks ago. 3 months?

 

[Frances Lengel]

Got a letter from the tribunal (first tier) this morning

My appeal is allowed
The decision made on */*/2012 is set aside
I am entitled to ESA with the work related activity component

Then some stuff about descriptors and how long the tribunal reckon it should be before the department reassess me.

Great news obviously, but reading the rest of the letter, it seems the department are entitled to appeal against the tribunals decision - Are they likely to do this? I've been claiming JSA between failing the medical and now, could the department say well he must be fit for work, he's been signing on as fit for work all this time? I'm worried I could somehow end up entitled to neither ESA nor JSA and be left with no income at all.

Also, what happens next? Do I have to do anything or contact anybody or will it all just happen?

If anyone who's been through this or knows the system could tell me what's likely to happen next I'd be everso grateful.

Anyway thanks to all those who urged me to go ahead and appeal when I said I couldn't be arsed and didn't see the point ViolentPanda equationgirl Greebo Frumious B. Minnie the Minx to name but five.

Ha ha, under the auspices of thanking you, I've tagged you hoping you'll see my post and answer some of my concerns. Sly little twat aren't I?

 

[ViolentPanda]

Got a letter from the tribunal (first tier) this morning

My appeal is allowed
The decision made on */*/2012 is set aside
I am entitled to ESA with the work related activity component

Then some stuff about descriptors and how long the tribunal reckon it should be before the department reassess me.

Great news obviously, but reading the rest of the letter, it seems the department are entitled to appeal against the tribunals decision - Are they likely to do this? I've been claiming JSA between failing the medical and now, could the department say well he must be fit for work, he's been signing on as fit for work all this time? I'm worried I could somehow end up entitled to neither ESA nor JSA and be left with no income at all.

The DWP's right to appeal is formula. They include it in every decision, but it probably only gets invoked if your appeal is "novel", i.e. the adjudicator has used an unfamiliar factor in their decision-making.

Also, what happens next? Do I have to do anything or contact anybody or will it all just happen?

As you gave them your details, they should just start paying you, and then send you the WRAG stuff as and when.

If anyone who's been through this or knows the system could tell me what's likely to happen next I'd be everso grateful.

Anyway thanks to all those who urged me to go ahead and appeal when I said I couldn't be arsed and didn't see the point ViolentPanda equationgirl Greebo Frumious B. Minnie the Minx to name but five.

Ha ha, under the auspices of thanking you, I've tagged you hoping you'll see my post and answer some of my concerns. Sly little twat aren't I?

You wish!

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Ha ha, under the auspices of thanking you, I've tagged you hoping you'll see my post and answer some of my concerns. Sly little twat aren't I?

Unfortunately, not sure how that stage works

 

[Frances Lengel]

Cheers mate - So you're saying I should just wait and the DWP will get in touch about paying my ESA in due course?

E2a that's ViolentPanda btw

 

[ViolentPanda]

Cheers mate - So you're saying I should just wait and the DWP will get in touch about paying my ESA in due course?

E2a that's ViolentPanda btw

They should do. You should get one of those formula letters that you get when your JSA goes up, saying that from X date you'll be paid X sum, and the money should just go straight into your bank account/post office card account/whatever.

 

[Frances Lengel]

They should do. You should get one of those formula letters that you get when your JSA goes up, saying that from X date you'll be paid X sum, and the money should just go straight into your bank account/post office card account/whatever.

Great stuff, thank you - The tribunal letter was first class, obviously anything from the DWP is gonna be second class.

 

[Greebo]

Great stuff, thank you - The tribunal letter was first class, obviously anything from the DWP is gonna be second class.

At least now you'll be able to afford another pair of trainers.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

This is rather worrying

Definitely looks like people oN DLA indefinite awards are being pulled in for reassessment before 2015

http://disabilitynewsservice.com/2013/03/governments-secret-plan-to-strip-claimants-of-dla/

 

[Bakunin]

Definitely looks like people oN DLA indefinite awards are being pulled in for reassessment before 2015

http://disabilitynewsservice.com/2013/03/governments-secret-plan-to-strip-claimants-of-dla/

Just put this on my Facebook page with the following comment:

So, our beloved Government (seemingly composed largely of expenses fraudsters, crooks and professional liars) have promised they won't be assessing people currently on Disability Living Allowance for the new Personal Independence Payments until 2015.

They aren't. They're just going to try and steal our money by re-assessing us under the current DLA rules instead

The new dictionary definition of Parliament: 'A den of thieves, thieves kitchen, residence of more professional crooks than Dartmoor Prison. See also: The most pervasively corrupt institution in British history.'

Where's Guy Fawkes when you need him?

 

[toggle]

thing is hun, i'm not sure if this lot have the right end of the stick.

You were on an indefinate award when you got assessed 2 years ago and still on an indefinate award when you got paperwork (but no date) for reassessment last year.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

thing is hun, i'm not sure if this lot have the right end of the stick.

You were on an indefinate award when you got assessed 2 years ago and still on an indefinate award when you got paperwork (but no date) for reassessment last year.

Who?

 

[toggle]

Who?

bakunin

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

bakunin

Oh right, sorry

 

[equationgirl]

Great stuff, thank you - The tribunal letter was first class, obviously anything from the DWP is gonna be second class.

Nice one on the appeal (even if we made you do it!)

I doubt the DWP has the time, money or people to appeal except in the most unusual of circumstances as ViolentPanda has said, so I reckon this is a win for you.

The DWP does appear to be taking the huff so to speak if it loses at Tribunal, so if you haven't heard anything from them over the next 2-4 weeks and your money hasn't changed, give them a call or take a copy of your tribunal letter to your next sign-on date and ask when you move onto ESA. It will be on the system somewhere, they just won't have told you about it.

I'm dead pleased for you