A really good site for anybody to join thats has experienced the ATOS system or any other benefit problems (EDITED) no i am not employed by them, neither do i believe Prime Minster Cameron when he states we are all in this together, if your disabled, sick, vunerable less well off or old, you are going to get hit !! Always always lodge an appeal when you score below 15 points at a ATOS medical you have a 90% chance of winning on appeal beleive me I see it everyday Colin

Hi As A Benefits Advisor and a person that does appeals on ESA / incapacity benefit and Disability Living Allowance, let me try to explain these ATOS medicals, most companys have an appeal percentage of around 5% ATOS HAVE A STAGGERING 20%, where ESA Medicals are concerned You have to acheive the minimum of 15 points from the medical to remain on ESA/incapacity benefit, the large majority of people from these medicals receive o points,(EDITED) People who fail these ATOS medicals should always appeal to the DWP for an oral appeal, which is held by a independant tribunal the large majority that appeal will find they will win there case I have seen hundreds of examples where the client has gone from o points to 15/26 points on appeal. I would suggest you appeal straight away you can get help from your local CAB office or benefits rights agency, you can even do the appeal yourself i have yet to see DWP or ATOS attend a tribunal one of the recent cases the ATOS medical failed to see that a client had a leg amputated and gave o points, of course on appeal he won easily Depression with medication and Anxiety should be at least worth 15/ 20 points, the medical has no concern of your health, it is designed to get you off the benefit, it is planned to try to remove 12000 people a week from ESA/ incapacity benefit, whether fit or not !! Disability Living Allowance will be also controlled by ATOS medicals from 2013 god forbid, the simple answer is always always appeal Regards Colin