ATOS Interview, what a joke!

[norby500]

hello, well i went to my atos interview two days ago now and i must say i was nervous from the beginning. i got there and was treated fine, everything was well until i got into the room where the person i was met by told me they wasn't a doctor, but an assessor. I was asked questions in a way that it was almost yes or no, and i felt that alot of the stuff i answered yes to wasn't accurate. I answered yes to some questions but wasn't even given space to say why i could do those things so according to the assesor i was capable. She asked me about leaving the house and going to the shop, i can do this which i said yes but only in short periods and not very often due to my mental illness, so she written down i was fully capable. She also said my dose of sleeping tablets and anxiety and depression tablets was a very low dose...but if she isn't a doctor, then how will she know this? so now my plan is to see my REAL doctor on monday and ask her to write me some kind of report/letter to help my side out because i know mine will already be a fail the way she was with me....and if i do get my doctor to do this for me, how far will it get me? as i'm sure her word is better then mine as i couldn't explain myself that well. Will my doctor have to send it off to the dwp or atos or the job centre?

 

thanks

[dragonkeeper]

Hi norby500

 

at this you might be jumping the gun.

I have not had dealing with this.

 

an ATOS cag guru will not be far away.

 

 

dk

[honeybee13]

Hello, nice to see you on the forum. Don't panic over this, a quick read of the forum if you haven't already will show you that many people here are in the same boat, sadly. You could be looking at an appeal, but your benefit will continue at the assessment rate while all that happens.

 

You never know, you might have a nice surprise when you get the decision letter. Someone else will comment I'm sure, but I'm wondering if the time for this information is when you send in the GL24 form, if you do have to appeal.

 

HB

[speedfreek]

Exactly the same thing happened to me! Very little scope to expand on questions as they were delivered in a yes/no format. Although I tried to expand as much as possible.

 

My nurse actually said that they didn't believe me when I answered one question!

 

You should be notified of the decision within 2 weeks of the medical.

 

If you haven't heard by the end of 14 days call the DWP number on your ESA letters and ask them what the score is.

 

There's no point fretting about it now as it's just a waiting game. What you should do is have a plan for what to do if you get a failed letter.

 

So have a look at the GL24 (appeal form) guidance, how to appeal (plenty of stuff on this board) and who you want to approach locally for help (CAB, DIAL, Welfare Rights, etc).

 

You never know you may pass but if not you'll be prepared for what to do next.

[honeybee13]

If you do want to research, I have a sticky on this forum that may help you. To add to what Speedfreek says, you can download a GL24 online from the DWP.

 

HB

[pedross]

From what you say I think you may probably fail, but don't take that personal as most people fail the assessment. What I am about to write is experience from helping someone in a similar situation and not proffessional knowledge.

 

The next step is to wait for them to send the result and then write to them explaining that you are going to appeal and would like a copy of the medical assessment report.

 

You should recieve that within say 10 - 14 days and you will be able to see exactly what they have reported from the interview.

 

You will then need to appeal and if that is also turned down you can appeal again and it will go in front of a tribunal who will make a final decision. You will need help in constructing the appeal and you should get that from this site. You can also get help from the citizens advice who can refer you to a social worker or whatever they are and they will help you get the documents and send in the appeal.

 

The whole problem is that too many people are claiming the additional money and claiming that they are not capable of work when they actually are and just don't want to work. So this really complicated system is in place which basically turns down everybody who is not terminally ill or similar.

 

I would encourage anybody who is capable of working to accept the lower level of benefit and go into the work programme as there are plenty of helpful people who will assist in finding suitable work. To have a little enjoyable job is quite a rewarding thing and I honestly believe that it would benefit a lot of people who have not been working.

 

On the other hand for people like yourself who cannot work due to your illness, you now have to prove that you are not capable of work in defence of their claim that you are. You should be able to get enough evidence to prove your point.

 

You will win in the end and they will pay you all of the money they underpay you during the appeal but you need to make sure they have up to date doctors notes or the payments will stop until you send a new one. Do not be afraid to phone the number on the letter they can be very helpful.

 

So wait until you get the result and take it step at a time as the whole process will probably take 4 - 6 months during which you will still get the basic payment.

 

To finish a bit more positive you will hopefully be acceoted straight away without all this messing about but at least you know that there is no urgency to do something in the next couple of days.

 

I hope this helps you or someone else.

 

Good Luck.

 

Pedross

ps don't forget to tip my scales if it helps, it makes me feel appreciated.