Atos Medicals - Questions, Answers and Support

[BCBlues]

thanks again all

my meeting is tomorrow and i know they're going to declare me fit for work - i did the ESA50 form online and I score 0 points and need 15. Hardly worth bothering to go to it really.

It certainly feels like that OU but that's probably part of their devious ways.

It's better to attend if you can, you will receive JSA a bit longer until the decision is made. In the long run it could certainly favour you at appeal stage to prove that you have tried to personally explain your illnesses to the DWP but they simply didn't listen.

On the other hand OU, reading your posts your problems are stress and anxiety related. If you are really not up to it tomorrow make sure you let them know that you are too ill to attend. Again it will look better at appeal stage if you have attempted to explain how things are.

Personally I'd try and go, let them really know how your worst days are. Ask your sister to jot down what is said as you will no doubt be misinterpreted by the assessor.

Don't let them grind you down OU.
Let us know how you get on and good luck.

 

[friendofdorothy]

Yes, don't let the bastards grind you down. I think they would much prefer it if we would die quietly without making a fuss. It's almost as if if you have any fight in you you can't possible be ill. its a catch 22 situation. Don't give then the satifation!

chin up.

 

[equationgirl]

Hope it went OK Orang Utan

 

[Orang Utan]

Hope it went OK Orang Utan

It wasn't too bad, thanks. The interviewer behaved like a human. I wasn't asked anything that I felt overstepped anything and there was nothing combatorial about it as I had feared. Probs trying to lull me into a false sense of security. They told me someone else makes the decision, which is sneaky of them. They tell people with terminal illnesses and terrible physical limitations that they are capable of seeking work, so I doubt my case will score highly enough to continue with ESA but I have a few weeks' grace before I get told yay or nay

 

[WouldBe]

I'm about to submit some more info before my PIP tribunal, not that I've got a date yet. DWP keep banging on about I don't meet the criteria. Is that the same as the descriptors or have the slimy bastards got an extra set of conditions hidden away?

 

[passenger]

well done for going Orang Utan you might be surprised at the outcome,what ever happens
you tried, its hard work all round even taking in the advice on this stuff.

 

[Jackobi]

Is that the same as the descriptors or have the slimy bastards got an extra set of conditions hidden away?

There is no extra set of conditions, the assessment is based on descriptors alone. The DWP are making sure that X% claimants are denied PIP to hit targets, it's more of a lottery system than anything else. The slightly good news is that by the appeal stage, the assessment is out of the hands of the DWP and the final decision made by an independent tribunal panel, hence why the majority of appeals are successful.

 

[BCBlues]

Well done Orang Utan, I know you had doubts about attending.
The interview/assessment is probably the biggest hurdle in the process and you have got through it so seriously well done.

 

[friendofdorothy]

fingers crossed for you Orang Utan x

 

[Orang Utan]

They called me and they're cutting me off.
I'm supposed to apply for Universal Credit or summat but if that involves having to go to a meeting every fortnight with loads of applications for jobs I don't want, can't do, or don't pay, then fuck that, I'm not playing.
I'd rather do without than go through that again
And just after finishing their call with me, they've just texted me saying that they've tried to call me but couldn't get through.

 

[Jackobi]

They called me and they're cutting me off.

The next step is a Mandatory Reconsideration which you should send to the DWP within one month of the date on the decision letter. That will probably fail, at which point you can appeal.

Challenging an ESA decision - Citizens Advice

 

[Orang Utan]

The next step is a Mandatory Reconsideration which you should send to the DWP within one month of the date on the decision letter. That will probably fail, at which point you can appeal.

Challenging an ESA decision - Citizens Advice

Ta, I wil appeal, whilst looking for work. I do want to get back to work. I just don't want to do that dance with the job centre. It's not worth the stress, humiliation and hoopjumping

 

[Jackobi]

I just don't want to do that dance with the job centre.

You won't have any income if you don't claim either JSA or UC. The mandatory reconsideration has no time limit but usually take 4-6 weeks. And it isn't until the Tribunal Service confirms your appeal is going ahead that your ESA starts again. You could be left without any income for the next three months plus.

You should claim JSA or UC, get a fit note from your doctor if you don't have one already, and then go on an extended period of sickness for 13 weeks. That will give you some time to get the MR in and then appeal. If you are lucky, the appeal will be confirmed within those 13 weeks. Meantime, you will not have to sign on or attend the jobcentre.

The following is for JSA but the same applies to UC.

"You can still claim JSA if you’re sick for longer than 2 weeks but less than 13 weeks in a 12-month period. This is called an ‘Extended Period of Sickness’. If you’re sick for longer than 2 weeks you’ll need a doctor’s note. You can only have one Extended Period of Sickness in any 12-month period."

Benefits for people looking for work - Citizens Advice

Get your claim in OU, otherwise you'll be fucked.

 

[Orang Utan]

I'm lucky enough to be staying at my dad's at the mo and would rather have no income than claim JSA/UC

 

[Jackobi]

Orang Utan You are missing out on £1000.

 

[StoneRoad]

Orang Utan
If you claim jsa/uc but go sick as per Jackobi's advice, you'll not have to "do the dance" whilst waiting for the result of the Mandatory Reconsideration, and then getting the appeal into the tribunal. And a lot of rejected ESA claims are overturned in the claimants' favour by the Appeal Tribunals.
All this process is intended to do is to put people off claiming the benefits to which they are entitled.
If you duck out, you are letting them win (and make it even harder for other people to get past the "scroungers and skivers" labels).
There is plenty of support available on Urban to help people, like you, overcome this appallingly unfair system.

 

[Orang Utan]

Orang Utan You are missing out on £1000.

That I have to get for applying for six jobs or whatever a week, going to the job centre, being pressured into doing things I don't want. All that gets in the way of finding a decent suitable job. It's not worth it. I would only do it if I was in danger of starving or being made destitute.

 

[Jackobi]

You are missing the point Orang Utan, if you are on an extended period of sickness for 13 weeks and claiming JSA/UC (unemployed), you will not have to attend the jobcentre.

 

[passenger]

You are missing the point Orang Utan, if you are on an extended period of sickness for 13 weeks and claiming JSA/UC (unemployed), you will not have to attend the jobcentre.

this

 

[equationgirl]

That I have to get for applying for six jobs or whatever a week, going to the job centre, being pressured into doing things I don't want. All that gets in the way of finding a decent suitable job. It's not worth it. I would only do it if I was in danger of starving or being made destitute.

You won't have to do anything for the 13 weeks as explained by Jackobi. don't let the dwp force you out of the system, this is what you pay national insurance for.

 

[chainsawjob]

It's all gone to shit with my benefits, my ESA has been stopped and I'm about to lose my DLA and have to apply for PIP. It's not directly an ATOS issue so I won't go into detail here, but I could do with some support/advice if anyone's able to help (thread is here ESA stopped because partner has claimed JSA ), I feel like giving up on the whole business tbh.

 

[friendofdorothy]

It's all gone to shit with my benefits, my ESA has been stopped and I'm about to lose my DLA and have to apply for PIP. It's not directly an ATOS issue so I won't go into detail here, but I could do with some support/advice if anyone's able to help (thread is here ESA stopped because partner has claimed JSA ), I feel like giving up on the whole business tbh.

I'm so sorry to hear this - they really don't make it easy. The whole sytem is so complex you have to be an expert or a cheat to understand it, and just when you think you know the score they change it all, so I've no idea how it all works now. Just been reading your other thread, what a palaver for you.

Hope all the stress doesn't affect your health too badly. Best wishes.

 

[Mr.Bishie]

The PIP offices had their first floor windows stoved in on Upper North St, Brighton last night.

 

[Orang Utan]

Orang Utan
If you claim jsa/uc but go sick as per Jackobi's advice, you'll not have to "do the dance" whilst waiting for the result of the Mandatory Reconsideration, and then getting the appeal into the tribunal. And a lot of rejected ESA claims are overturned in the claimants' favour by the Appeal Tribunals.
All this process is intended to do is to put people off claiming the benefits to which they are entitled.
If you duck out, you are letting them win (and make it even harder for other people to get past the "scroungers and skivers" labels).
There is plenty of support available on Urban to help people, like you, overcome this appallingly unfair system.

You are missing the point Orang Utan, if you are on an extended period of sickness for 13 weeks and claiming JSA/UC (unemployed), you will not have to attend the jobcentre.

You won't have to do anything for the 13 weeks as explained by Jackobi. don't let the dwp force you out of the system, this is what you pay national insurance for.

thanks, I got their letter confirming their assessment yesterday and called the DWP to claim JSA today.
I am appealing, though I don't really have any new evidence, unless my doctor is willing to write something. I scored 0 points, but think their assessment system is wrong and shouldn't be used. They should take a sick note from a GP as good enough for a claim IMO.
I still have to go in to the Job Centre on Monday though, which worries me.

 

[StoneRoad]

Orang Utan - Keep on with the appeal process and get that sick / fit note into the dwp.
There have been a remarkable number of people whose initial assessment was zero points, but who went through the process and were awarded their entitlement, several of whom post on here !

 

[chainsawjob]

I'm so sorry to hear this - they really don't make it easy. The whole sytem is so complex you have to be an expert or a cheat to understand it, and just when you think you know the score they change it all, so I've no idea how it all works now. Just been reading your other thread, what a palaver for you.

Hope all the stress doesn't affect your health too badly. Best wishes.

Thanks friendofdorothy, appreciate your reply. You're right, the system is so impenetrable even the people running it don't understand it, what chance does anyone else have? I'm going to seek out more advice, and see where we go from here. My husband being out of work has been stressful, so at least that stress is removed currently. Thanks for the good wishes.

 

[Jackobi]

I still have to go in to the Job Centre on Monday though, which worries me.

It is probably best not to mention that you are going to go on an extended period of sickness when you first attend the Jobcentre as you will need to declare yourself fit for work to claim JSA. Maybe leave it a couple of weeks, as you will not get any money for the first 7 days anyway. Perhaps present a fit note at your first signing on day. Sign on first for the previous fortnight, then tell them you are taking an extended period of sickness. A couple of visits to the JC might be stressful but it's definitely worth a £1000. Just think of the money, although it's still fuck all really spread over 13 weeks.

 

[WouldBe]

Still waiting to hear about a tribunal date.

A TOSser claimed I could read N8 alright even though I said I would struggle at that small a size. Finally got round to getting my eyesight tested the other day and it turns out I definitely need reading glasses.

 

[Ergo Proxy]

Well call my timbers well and truly shivered!

I've just received a letter from the TS stating that my appeal has been lapsed due to a more favourable decision taken by the Appeals Officer.

Just have to wait on the official DWP letter stating which group and how long before next reassessment?

If it's WRAG and 18 months or less then I'll be requesting a Statement of Reasons - the score sheet and lodging an appeal. Quite frankly WFI's - the Work Program - Health n Work (or whatever the next big buzzy thing is) can all go fuck themselves!

 

[passenger]

Just received a letter asking me to call the DWP asap re the outcome of my assessment
they said they have been trying to contact me but have some very old contact details so I have
to wait till Monday morning to see my fate it's nearly 8 weeks since my medical so hopefully WRAG /Support group or back to fucking JSA