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Atos Medicals - Questions, Answers and Support

well so far the DWP say they are sticking to there decision, so im staying on JSA no
reply from my local tory MP in Crawley :hmm:... but as i am Disabled i get a
£37 a week top up on my JSA so, looking for work from home, must be at least 16 hours per week.
 
I have a question please.

There was lots of scandal surrounding ATOS finding people fit for work.
Since March 2015, all has gone quiet.
I know that Maximus now do the ESA WCA assessments, under the name "The Centre for Health and Disability Assessments Limited"

I don't think for one minute that CHDA ltd are any more lenient than Atos was, or that the rules have got less stricter, so how come there are much, much less media reports of people suffering after being found fit for work by this new company.
There was a steady stream of reports in the media, regarding ATOS, so how come they have dried up since March 2015.
 
Hello, everyone. This thread is an invaluable resource, though I've not had the time to read it all.

I'm new here and have a few questions.

I attended an assessment with my husband last week for the renewal of his ESA. He has been in the support group for a few years now, claiming for major depressive disorder/suicidal ideation and panic disorder mainly as well as for chronic migraines which has landed him in the hospital and can cause him to pass out. The assessment seemed to go ok, but there were a few odd things that happened which I'm not too sure about. When we first got there, after signing in, they placed us in a separate waiting room from all the other people. Maybe because my husband was visibly nervous and shaking? Secondly, we took a taxi to the assessment as he was feeling too anxious to go on public transport. The assessor, when she asked us how we came, was surprised we had not booked a taxi through them or asked them to pay for it. She then offered to call one to take us home and have them pay for it. I thought this a bit odd as they're usually very strict with and try to get out of paying for these things. I think she was just being nice and compassionate but my husband isn't sure. He is often very paranoid and was convinced they were monitoring him in the taxi back home and reporting back about this, too. Also, at the end of the assessment we handed in some more medical evidence. While we were waiting for the taxi, the assessor came out and asked a few more questions about my husband's medication - specifically why he's not taking the amount his evidence said he should take. We explained that his psychiatrists changed and that his new one isn't following the plan the old one set out and decided to do something different. This felt odd to us as the assessment (and recording) had finished. Hubby is also really nervous about the fact that he occasionally does some light jogging on the rare days he feels able to walk out the door (always the same route, just around the block and only for about 15 minutes) and that it would count against him, though his psychiatrists have basically instructed him to do this (the psychiatrists' letter says as much) as he is resistant to medication and is now on a waiting list for ECT. He's been suicidal off and on for the past few years, but he is so bad right now that I have to keep his meds away from him and dish out his doses every day. I felt they glossed over his suicidal feelings in the assessment. I did notice that the assessor let me answer most of the questions for him as he was so anxious he was speaking very quietly, kept his eyes closed and his legs were shaking throughout.

Maybe we're just being paranoid and paying too much attention to scare stories about the way the DWP tries to trip up genuine claimants and make them confused and/or paranoid. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything odd along these lines in their assessments.

Thank you in advance for any help. We anxiously await the letter from the DWP with his results.
 
MorningLightMtn said:
Hello, everyone. This thread is an invaluable resource, though I've not had the time to read it all.

I'm new here and have a few questions.

I attended an assessment with my husband last week for the renewal of his ESA. He has been in the support group for a few years now, claiming for major depressive disorder/suicidal ideation and panic disorder mainly as well as for chronic migraines which has landed him in the hospital and can cause him to pass out. The assessment seemed to go ok, but there were a few odd things that happened which I'm not too sure about. When we first got there, after signing in, they placed us in a separate waiting room from all the other people. Maybe because my husband was visibly nervous and shaking? Secondly, we took a taxi to the assessment as he was feeling too anxious to go on public transport. The assessor, when she asked us how we came, was surprised we had not booked a taxi through them or asked them to pay for it. She then offered to call one to take us home and have them pay for it. I thought this a bit odd as they're usually very strict with and try to get out of paying for these things. I think she was just being nice and compassionate but my husband isn't sure. He is often very paranoid and was convinced they were monitoring him in the taxi back home and reporting back about this, too. Also, at the end of the assessment we handed in some more medical evidence. While we were waiting for the taxi, the assessor came out and asked a few more questions about my husband's medication - specifically why he's not taking the amount his evidence said he should take. We explained that his psychiatrists changed and that his new one isn't following the plan the old one set out and decided to do something different. This felt odd to us as the assessment (and recording) had finished. Hubby is also really nervous about the fact that he occasionally does some light jogging on the rare days he feels able to walk out the door (always the same route, just around the block and only for about 15 minutes) and that it would count against him, though his psychiatrists have basically instructed him to do this (the psychiatrists' letter says as much) as he is resistant to medication and is now on a waiting list for ECT. He's been suicidal off and on for the past few years, but he is so bad right now that I have to keep his meds away from him and dish out his doses every day. I felt they glossed over his suicidal feelings in the assessment. I did notice that the assessor let me answer most of the questions for him as he was so anxious he was speaking very quietly, kept his eyes closed and his legs were shaking throughout.

Maybe we're just being paranoid and paying too much attention to scare stories about the way the DWP tries to trip up genuine claimants and make them confused and/or paranoid. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything odd along these lines in their assessments.

Thank you in advance for any help. We anxiously await the letter from the DWP with his results.
Click to expand...
Welcome. Not sure I can be of any help, but I just want to say I don't blame anyone for being paranoid throughout this process - when the whole purpose of these assessments seems to be to force people off their benefits.

Some of what you describe sounds like they are being considerate, the separate waiting room and the offer of taxis (I didn't know they did that either) - but not surprised you are suspicious. Is this the new Maximus procedure I wonder, after all the media flak about cruel treatment of ill people. I don't recall this sort of thing being commented on with Atos. I think we might have offered our bus fares after the assessment but here was no info beforehand, and I think they wanted receipts, which we didn't have - who gets receipts for oyster payments? certainly no mention of taxis, but that was over a year ago.

Your hubby shouldn't feel guilty about jogging - its widely accepted that exercise and daylight are good for depression and I hope he is able to continue to do this, and that the assessment hasn't put him off.

I'm glad you were able to be there to help him and I wish you both all the best. fingers crossed for you.
 
Thanks for the kind words and advice, friendofdorothy :)

Hopefully we won't have to wait too long to hear his result. I remember last time we went through this process, it was about a month of waiting until the Evil Brown Envelope came through the door.

The assessment has done a bit of a number on him. He's been sleeping a lot more and stopped exercising for now actually as well as stopped using the internet - he's convinced he's being watched 24/7 by the government. His depression and anxiety is as bad as it's ever been now and I'm kind of at a loss. Fortunately, the community mental health team are visiting him at home on Tuesday. He's usually a little better after these visits as they reassure him.

I just hate the way ill people are treated in this country. Fuck the Tories and their money-worshipping, sociopathic ideology :mad::facepalm:
 
Last edited:
passenger said:
well so far the DWP say they are sticking to there decision, so im staying on JSA no
reply from my local tory MP in Crawley :hmm:... but as i am Disabled i get a
£37 a week top up on my JSA so, looking for work from home, must be at least 16 hours per week.
Click to expand...

isn't that their statuatory reconsideration/

so you get to file an actual appeal now
 
Why is there no bad media reports on Maximus finding people fit for work.
I know they go under another name now, but the rules have not changed.
Atos got a lot of bad press, but maximus or CHDA (cheddar centre-as I have nicknamed them) are still assessing people, but there is a total lack of reports of their finding people fit for work, who arent, even the blogs from politicaly orientated people are not writing aobut them.
 
panpete said:
I have a question please.

There was lots of scandal surrounding ATOS finding people fit for work.
Since March 2015, all has gone quiet.
I know that Maximus now do the ESA WCA assessments, under the name "The Centre for Health and Disability Assessments Limited"

I don't think for one minute that CHDA ltd are any more lenient than Atos was, or that the rules have got less stricter, so how come there are much, much less media reports of people suffering after being found fit for work by this new company.
There was a steady stream of reports in the media, regarding ATOS, so how come they have dried up since March 2015.
Click to expand...

Pretty much because Maximus have only been doing it for less than a year, so haven't built up a head of negative publicity in the way that ATOS (who'd been doing ESA WCAs since 2008-09) did.
However, given that we've seen plenty of individual anecdote about Maximus being no better or worse than ATOS, it's highly likely that by this time next year, there will be plenty of press coverage about just how shittily they're doing.
 
panpete said:
Why is there no bad media reports on Maximus finding people fit for work.
I know they go under another name now, but the rules have not changed.
Atos got a lot of bad press, but maximus or CHDA (cheddar centre-as I have nicknamed them) are still assessing people, but there is a total lack of reports of their finding people fit for work, who arent, even the blogs from politicaly orientated people are not writing aobut them.
Click to expand...

ViolentPanda said:
Pretty much because Maximus have only been doing it for less than a year, so haven't built up a head of negative publicity in the way that ATOS (who'd been doing ESA WCAs since 2008-09) did.
However, given that we've seen plenty of individual anecdote about Maximus being no better or worse than ATOS, it's highly likely that by this time next year, there will be plenty of press coverage about just how shittily they're doing.
Click to expand...
and there was me being optimistic and hoping they might be better than Atos or at least not as bad.
 
MorningLightMtn said:
Thanks for the kind words and advice, friendofdorothy :)

Hopefully we won't have to wait too long to hear his result. I remember last time we went through this process, it was about a month of waiting until the Evil Brown Envelope came through the door.

The assessment has done a bit of a number on him. He's been sleeping a lot more and stopped exercising for now actually as well as stopped using the internet - he's convinced he's being watched 24/7 by the government. His depression and anxiety is as bad as it's ever been now and I'm kind of at a loss. Fortunately, the community mental health team are visiting him at home on Tuesday. He's usually a little better after these visits as they reassure him.

I just hate the way ill people are treated in this country. Fuck the Tories and their money-worshipping, sociopathic ideology :mad::facepalm:
Click to expand...
The damage these assessments do really angers me too. Hope hubby is feeling better soon.

I know how difficult it can be, it is bad enough seeing a partner suffer illness, but then to see senseless bureaucratic processes make them worse, is just heartbreaking. I hope you are bearing up ok too. Wishing you strength to support your hubby.
 
I am one of the unlucky 0.03% or something of people who has been computer random selected to have my pip claim performance measured (ie investigated) three years early :facepalm:

Told them they are not allowed in my home or to see me without an advocate so they will write to me with new arrangements. Getting welfare rights on the case when i get the new appointment letter. It is really not helpful to have this happen at the moment.
 
tufty79 said:
I am one of the unlucky 0.03% or something of people who has been computer random selected to have my pip claim performance measured (ie investigated) three years early :facepalm:

Told them they are not allowed in my home or to see me without an advocate so they will write to me with new arrangements. Getting welfare rights on the case when i get the new appointment letter. It is really not helpful to have this happen at the moment.
Click to expand...
sorry to hear that. Are you ok?
Have you got anyone to help you pull all the paperwork together and be an advocate?
best wishes x
 
I will be ok. My gp is being ace on other crises so will ask for their support in trying to just call the whole thing off.

Gonna rely on welfare rights for now. And take along a video of the state of me and my home. And my Emergency Bucket.

Thanks you for replying x
 
tufty79 said:
I will be ok. My gp is being ace on other crises so will ask for their support in trying to just call the whole thing off.

Gonna rely on welfare rights for now. And take along a video of the state of me and my home. And my Emergency Bucket.

Thanks you for replying x
Click to expand...
Glad your gp is being helpful.

I must ask what is an emergency bucket?
 
tufty79 said:
I am one of the unlucky 0.03% or something of people who has been computer random selected to have my pip claim performance measured (ie investigated) three years early :facepalm:

Told them they are not allowed in my home or to see me without an advocate so they will write to me with new arrangements. Getting welfare rights on the case when i get the new appointment letter. It is really not helpful to have this happen at the moment.
Click to expand...
In the past sending a copy of letter for your length of exemption/earliest assessment date has proved reasonably successful in the claimant being left alone. Would think it would increase your success if an advocate or someone wrote on your behalf.
 
equationgirl said:
In the past sending a copy of letter for your length of exemption/earliest assessment date has proved reasonably successful in the claimant being left alone. Would think it would increase your success if an advocate or someone wrote on your behalf.
Click to expand...
wonder if mentioning the safeguarding as mentioned in link above would helpful.

tufty79 said:
For pissing in my bedroom when diabetes goes wrong and means i can't get to the loo in time at night.and in the day.
Click to expand...
definitely take that then!

Good luck tufty79 - hope they leave you alone and that they don't add to your stress.
 
passenger said:
well to be honest, i would like a part time role from home
its what i can do tbo, maybe do a course should maybe
ask for advice on another thread ...i got my pip but will
go down the part time route first, i really do need something to do

thanks for your concern toggle
Click to expand...

nothing stopping you studying and doing some part time work on esa. you just get more money and less harassment while doing it
 
friendofdorothy said:
and there was me being optimistic and hoping they might be better than Atos or at least not as bad.
Click to expand...

From what I can make out, they're slightly better in terms of actually not falsifying the answers you give, but they picked up a lot of ATOS's staff when the TOSsers withdrew, and any REAL change also has to take place at the DWP decision-makers level too, before the tide of appeals at shoddy WCAs and shoddy decisions is dealt with.
 
Excellent. Recorded half if the phone call from the Dwp cunt who doesn't understand no.

Sue, my investigator from the dwp, has lost my advocates phone no, which is available on Google, and wanted me to give it her after i have said she is not allowed to contact me directly because crisis

Cue three minutes of (paraphrased)
'sue, please hang up. This is harassment'
'but'
'no, sue. I cannot help you to do your job if you are incompetent. I am in crisis right this second and unable to help '
' but i can't remember their phone no'
'hang up please '
' but'
'FUCK OFF SUE, YOU CUNT '
' but'
'LOTS OF SCREAMING '
*click *
 
... Aaaaand my wheels have fallen off. Trying to find friends in Leeds who can look after me for the aftermath afternoon.

Edit: sorted. Coming round for tea and backgammon and gentle in an hour x
 
Last edited:
Does anybody have a rough idea of how long they're taking to make their decisions on ESA these days? It's only been 8 days, so not really expecting word yet, just want this whole process to be over for my husband so we know whether we have to appeal, etc. Thanks :)
 
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