yes , I got the letter yesterday... I'm in the support group. No mention of when I next get assessed though. some say 12 month and othrs say 3 years.. says I get some back pay I guess that goes in when the next payment goes in.. Do I still need to send my sick notes in to them or is that it now.

Hi, I had my atos medical on the 11th June.. I was told the decision would be made in 2 to 3 weeks.. should I wait a bit longer or should I risk ringing and asking for the verdict. and if so who do I ring??

I totally agree with amianne, I was an alcoholic a few years back, I got drunk everyday down the pub because all my "friends" encouraged it.... but when I got home I couldn't see what it was doing to my family through the drunken haze, they begged and pleaded with me, they told me they loved me... all of which I ignored... Then one day the tough love started.... and it devastated me, my sons became hard towards me, quite often insulted me, and told me in no uncertain terms that from then on I was on my own if I wanted to continue downhill. Somewhere a light came on and I realised I wanted my family more than being drunk.... fortunately I can still have a drink but no longer see the need to get blind drunk... so yes, I agree with amianne, Jeremy Kyle, even though he is not my cup of tea, I think can get through to people and the good thing is his show goes on to help and support people for a long time after too.

damned if you do and damned if you don't eh ??

could we not just covertly record on our devices.. and then play back in court etc if needed

I had my assessment last week, although my doctor told them I could not use public transport due to pain they sent a taxi for me.. I arrived on my crutches and signed in, the lady asked me to sit and wait for the doctor, I told her I couldn't sit on their chairs as they are too low, The doc called me in and I had the entire interview standing as it was more comfortable, he chatted to me for about half an hour but it didn't seem like a grilling, he saw my prescription and my specialists notes. He never gave me any sort of medical, and he told me about his aunt who had the same condition as me.. (R.A) He also told me that the form I filled out was enough for me to pass on paper. Do you reckon then that I have passed the assessment or should I still be worried as I have heard some proper horror stories on this forum about people who were sure they had passed only to fail. He told me it would be two or three weeks before the decision would be made. oh and by the way, I never had to pay for the taxi, in fact no mention of payment was asked (or offered)....

I had my medical yesterday, and the doctor didn't ask me to do anything.... they sent a taxi for me and one to go home in, when I was filling the form in originally I put that I could not walk for 50 yards, then I crossed that out and put it varies... I attended the medical on crutches and the doctor told me that if I had left the question as "no" then I wouldn't have had to go for the medical at all. it was enough to pass on paper... now... the question is ?? he seemed happy that I had enough of a disability not to work, but he said it was down to the decision maker... he also said that it was quite obvious because of my deformed joints that I was in pain too. should I keep my hopes up that I get put in the support group and won't have to keep bein assessed, or am I just as likely to fail completely as I have read some terrible outcomes on here. Also... what's the difference in awards as reading an earlier post she had some back pay... I currently get £71 or near enough a week?

Hi there again, Just wondering, as I have been summoned for a medical with atos. I am technically still employed by my old firm as I was on a zero hours contract and they just don't give me any work now. I am still getting six monthly sick notes from my doctor which I send in to the DWP. So I don't understand why I need the medical. I am not saying I don't agree with the medicals as I know there are some fraudsters out there, but if my doctor thinks I am clearly not up to going to work (I have severe Rheumatoid Arthritis) why do I have to go. The doctor has also written to atos to tell them I need to have a taxi sent for me which they have agreed to do, as I can't tolerate the pain of public transport. I don't drive any more. any advice greatly appreciated

I have RA too and my doctor has advised that I should have my Atos assessment at home due to not being able to use public transport because of the pain it would cause. She has faxed their resource dept to advise them of this. Will they still do the medical examination at my home, as I will need help to get in and out of a laying down position. what else will I need to have with me, will I need to let them see my wrist supports etc. and my tablets... any help regarding what happens at a home visit would be greatfully received. Also will they help me with filling out the form as I can't write very well due to deformed fingers.

Just to keep you up to date, I have received a phone call from someone saying I need to have the assessment, I asked for a home visit as I can't drive and it's too painful to use public transport. They told me they needed a fax from my doctor to confirm this, and she is going to do this for me, I now await details of the home visit.

that sounds like a nightmare... I'm sure one of the regulars will help you on that one.... My buyer e-mailed me this morning saying he had fixed the glitches with some downloads and was now happy with the phone.... let's hope that'll be all from him. I'm happy now anyway. xx

here we go again, this mornings post has just brought a letter from B/card, this is after yesterdays from mercers ??? todays reads about Urgent information about penalties and charges on my account. They have charged me £12 late payment fee because 28 days have passed from the day they gave me notice. plus another £2.91 (don't know what that's for) These berks are really beginning to get on my wick now, they are just not listening to me.

I did think that too, but believe me I went through all the rules with a fine tooth comb.. and they say if he wants a refund then he must return the goods.

thanks Ford. much appreciated xx

will do Ford, now that I know Mercers are b/c in house muppets.

sorry transient, but according to ebay if he wants a refund then he must return it to me at his own cost and he must make sure it's trackable. as yet he hasn't returned it or contacted me again,

I'm having the same problem, BC said they would freeze the interest and then a few month later it started appearing again. I wrote and asked them to freeze it again and I would continue paying, no response from them but out of the blue this morning I get a letter from Mercers with a new bumped up total sum and some new threats. They can go swivel for all I care. I also contacted my other creditors, only heard back from one (Largo) who have told me that my token payment of £2 is not acceptable and I must phone them... I also told them all that any contact numbers they had for me are no longer valid, doesn't stop them ringing everyday though... what muppets

ha ha Andy, If I was scared of debt collectors I would have been gone long ago, As it happens the buyer hasn't opened a case against me yet, I keep checking my e mails bt nothing yet. I was reading their rules and from what I understand he should do it withing seven days of receiving the phone, which leaves him till Thursday. I did contact him telling him he must return the phone at his own expense and we'll take it from there abiding by ebay rules. not heard a dicky bird since.

thanks Libertas, I did manage to sell it, so I'm glad it's off my hands.

still no response from the buyer, unless he's at work maybe... if and when he get's in touch or raises a claim I will keep you all posted with the details. x

I responded to the buyer early this morning after leaving it all weekend, I told him he had to abide by ebay rules, etc. etc. I told him I had all the original documents and the IMEI number, and so far he hasn't raised a case or responded back to me. lets hope he was just trying to pull a fast one and realised I am no mug, Thanks to you caggers I am much wiser these days. ps, why don't the smilies work ???

Thanks Brigadier, I guessed you would be my knight in shining armour... duly noted and will take that advice..xx

Hi again helpers. I have taken your advice and contacted all my creditors, I owe largo £120 for services rendered when they got my PPI back from Virgin. Virgin refused to give me the refund and took it off their account which left me owing Largo, I was paying £5 with difficulty as I only get £67.50 per week to live on, I wrote to Largo last week explaining my situation and offered to pay them £2 per month along with all the other creditors. The have written back saying the offer is unacceptable, what should I do,? I'm tempted to just ignore them and continue paying £2. I know it's not idea but it's the best I can offer, I did try to sell my mobile on ebay but looks like that's turning into a nightmare too now, seems I may be left with no phone and a refund to give back.

Yes thanks, I see what you are getting at.... I have read hundreds of posts throughout the night (insomnia struck) and have decided to follow the guidelines set out by ebay and paypal, I have contacted the buyer and asked that he return the item at his own expense. I have also intimated that I have the original documents and the IMEI number (which i have). I have also consulted a solicitor. (personal friend) regarding the matter and the alleged damage. I am wondering if the phone comes back damaged and the box does not, I can't see how the phone got chipped as it was boxed in it's original box and each item was wrapped in tissue and bubble wrap. Ebay have said they will look into the case carefully if he should open a dispute. Thanks very much for all your help though caggers, It's been much appreciated, and I know I will be calling on you again, in fact I do have another problem but on a different matter. x

thanks mega xx