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Old 05-05-2012, 13:50
Throgmorton1
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I've just got my second ATOS letter. Not much looking forward to this whole charade again. I have chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia which did improve to the point that I managed to get back on JSA for a bit, then I went downhill again and now I have to do all the crawling-through-hoops thing again.

I am really dreading this because I will either be having bad days so be unable to attend and have to make new appointments and then I may have a "good" day which makes the ATOS gits think that I am perfectly well enough to work. I don't believe in telling them lies or behaving in a certain manner to make me look worse than I am and CFS doesn't make you look ill. Rock and a hard place is where I'm at. I am still seeking work but just a few hours a week, I'm not trying to sit on my backside and make the state take care of me but I haven't a lot of choice.

The ATOS letter has actually upset me a lot this morning because I simply don't know how to prove that I am not well enough to be in full time work.
I'd echo the need to describe your worst days - I have the same thing (I'm goodish at the moment) - but I am so determined to be well that I described my absolute best day to ATOS. I ended up with about 12 points and no financial help.

Be honest about how bad it gets - and I sincerely hope that you get a fair assessment - or are, at least, well enough to follow through an appeals process. I wasn't and it's beyond tough.
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Old 05-05-2012, 15:40
TelevisionUser
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Thank you ever so much for the advice TelevisionUser . I was originally a bit dubious on making the post on here about ATOS, due to some unpleasant anti-benefits posters on here, but am truly thankful of this support thread.

Thanks again .
At your service, darkjedimaster.

I've read some harrowing stuff such as this article here so I am only too happy to assist anyone and you can see what can happen below :

one young man, nervous and clearly not accustomed to addressing rallies, took the microphone to explain how his uncle, who had severe mental health problems, committed suicide after the test gave him zero points and found him fit to work. Dismayed to find his benefit claim rejected, he had appealed against the decision, and won at tribunal. But shortly after that decision, he was called in for another assessment, and for a second time scored zero points and was told he did not qualify for the benefit.

He began appealing against the decision again, but a few days before another tribunal date was set, he hanged himself. His family did not want his name in the paper, but sent through a copy of the serious incident review carried out by the local jobcentre, which concluded: "We need to review the WCA and appeal process to take the needs of our vulnerable customers into account."


That case is an appalling indictment of the current system and I hope that the government listens to Professor Malcolm Harrington who is trying to do his best to make the benefits system more responsive and humane but there is clearly still quite a lot to do.
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Old 15-05-2012, 18:22
estara
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http://issuu.com/atosvictims/docs/li...chnical-manual
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Old 08-07-2012, 19:54
TelevisionUser
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In case it helps anyone who wants to make a tribunal hearing appeal against a benefit decision, there is a video guide here that was produced by the Ministry of Justice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbWXG6Ho4i8

Some of the advice is quite helpful including that the appellant is more likely to be successful if they appear in person rather than having a paper hearing (especially since the DWP tends not to normally send a representative to the hearing) and if they present additional evidence to the tribunal such as new or updated letters of support/medical statements from medical professionals like GPs and specialists consultants.

It is also worth restating that getting additional experienced help with submitting an appeal from the likes of Citizens Advice Bureaus, community law centres, claimants' unions, etc. effectively doubles the appeal success rate.
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Old 08-07-2012, 23:56
Otherguy
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I was put into the Work Related Activity Group, and when I told them I was worried about losing my ESA after 12 months they told me this wasn't going to happen. But I read in this thread that after 12 months you do lose your ESA. Now I'm a bit worried
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Old 09-07-2012, 00:07
TelevisionUser
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I was put into the Work Related Activity Group, and when I told them I was worried about losing my ESA after 12 months they told me this wasn't going to happen. But I read in this thread that after 12 months you do lose your ESA. Now I'm a bit worried
Well, otherguy, there are actually two variants of Employment and Support Allowance - income related and contributions based - and the differences are explained here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTax...ured/DG_171891

If you have already been told that your benefit is safe then it sounds like you are already in receipt of income related ESA and so do not have anything to worry about.
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Old 09-07-2012, 00:35
Otherguy
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Cheers TelevisionUser, I think I'll ring them in the morning to make sure.
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Old 20-08-2012, 17:25
TelevisionUser
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I have a minor update that's worth posting.

The welfare advisors behind the Benefits and Work website are now selling their benefit application and appeal guides independently of subscriptions and the direct link is here: http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/buy-guides

Some free material is also available too: http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/free-stuff
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Old 03-01-2013, 19:48
Oops_Carole
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Hi

Can anyone hep with a question

After filling out the Atos form,my sister had her ATOS medical way back on the 22nd October and has heard noting about the results , today,whilst she was at an hospital appointment they attempted to call her ,My Mum advised them where she was and they said they will ring her back on Friday between 1 and 3,is this normal,she was expecting a letter but not a phone call with the results

Anyone help with what she should expect on Friday via the phone call and what the procedure is after a medical

Thanks
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Old 03-01-2013, 20:02
Sexbomb
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She will be told the outcome of the medical result whether she is fit for working not.
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Old 03-01-2013, 20:14
Oops_Carole
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She will be told the outcome of the medical result whether she is fit for working not.
So ALL medical results come via the phone and not via a letter ?

It seems a long time since she took the medical on the 22nd October
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Old 31-10-2013, 22:00
TelevisionUser
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In case it's of help to anyone, there are some updated suggestion about dealing with ESA appeals below:

1. Get help and advice from any one of the nearest Citizens Advice Bureau office (plug in the postcode here http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice.htm), local council benefits advice unit or community law centre as appropriate. Getting help from organisations like that can effectively double appeal success rates.
2. Request a copy of the decision maker's ruling and the ESA 85 medical report in writing so that you can rebut/correct any assertions as part of the appeal. When dealing with the DWP, I'd suggest sending any letters 1st class and signed for.
3. The GL 24 appeal form can be downloaded from here https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...,d.d2k&cad=rja and any full or interim appeal has to be submitted one month after the date on the original DWP decision letter and not one month after date of receipt of the letter.
4. In addition, getting an updated GP/consultant statement and providing a personal statement about how the condition restricts and adversely affects everyday life might help as well when submitted as part of the appeal.

More links are provided below:

https://www.gov.uk/appeal-benefit
http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/...ooklet_web.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbWXG6Ho4i8
http://www.actionforme.org.uk/Resour...-factsheet.pdf
http://www.lampdirect.org.uk/sites/d...%20ESA2012.pdf
http://blacktrianglecampaign.org/201...g-esa-appeals/
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Old 31-10-2013, 22:05
TardisSteve
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good idea posting those links TelevisionUser
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Old 01-11-2013, 08:44
kupo_nut
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Oh, I feel your pain! I'm in the same situation, although I do manage to work 4 hours a week, but I've been cut off. I explained everything, and apparantley I'm ok :mad

Just a well my meds have stopped working now, I have to reapply
Just realised that this was posted before I got my diagnosis of MS, which meant I was able to reapply Since then I've had two medicals, both of which got in me into WRAG and the third time I was put directly into WRAG without a medical.

I'm now waiting for news of what happens next as my ESA50 was sent in a month ago. I have a feeling this time I'm not going to be as lucky
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Old 01-11-2013, 09:16
lockes no 1 fan
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My daughter has just been placed in the support group for 3 years without a medical, I just filled in the form and sent it back
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Old 01-11-2013, 10:18
Richievilla
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This DWP document makes for interesting reading as it shows the large numbers being put into the Support Group and WRAG without a face to face assessment:

https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...r_evidence.pdf

I wonder if this is due to people being more aware of the need to send large amounts of supporting medical evidence with their claim form or due to the huge backlogs in the system.
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Old 01-11-2013, 10:21
Sunnier
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My daughter has just been placed in the support group for 3 years without a medical, I just filled in the form and sent it back
That is good news for you.

With a General Election just 18 months away could there be a softening of approach ordered from number 10?

The 'Help to Buy' housing scheme being another sweetener to,hopefully for them,accrue more votes?
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Old 01-11-2013, 10:23
lockes no 1 fan
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That is good news for you.

With a General Election just 18 months away could there be a softening of approach ordered from number 10?

The 'Help to Buy' housing scheme being another sweetener to,hopefully for them,accrue more votes?
believe me they wont be getting any votes from this house , she has cerebral palsy so I think that may have a lot to do with it
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Old 03-11-2014, 17:38
jazzydrury3
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Hi i have just been given this link after being depressed all day.

I got a letter on Saturday, saying that my benefits were changing, and that in the next 2 weeks I would get a phone call.

I have Cerbral Palsy, and havent really been out of the house for 5 years, bar going down to my doctors surgery, as I get ulcers quickly plus depression.

I have looked at the form inline, and where I can do mist of the stuff stated, mentally im fragile.

Been heavily depressed since Saturday no sleep, soent all day today, either in here or slagging myself of in chatrooms.

Am I worrying too quick, as I believe you get a month to send back questionnaire, then on the firm it says the assessment coukd take 3 months, am I worrying too early
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Old 03-11-2014, 18:38
phantom sneeze
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What determines weather you get put in the support group is if you have support staff or not or any input from social services.
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Old 03-11-2014, 18:48
Keyser_Soze1
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Hi i have just been given this link after being depressed all day.

I got a letter on Saturday, saying that my benefits were changing, and that in the next 2 weeks I would get a phone call.

I have Cerbral Palsy, and havent really been out of the house for 5 years, bar going down to my doctors surgery, as I get ulcers quickly plus depression.

I have looked at the form inline, and where I can do mist of the stuff stated, mentally im fragile.

Been heavily depressed since Saturday no sleep, soent all day today, either in here or slagging myself of in chatrooms.

Am I worrying too quick, as I believe you get a month to send back questionnaire, then on the firm it says the assessment coukd take 3 months, am I worrying too early
I wish you the best of luck and try not to worry too much although it will be very hard not to.
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Old 03-11-2014, 19:03
phepia
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What determines weather you get put in the support group is if you have support staff or not or any input from social services.
What do you mean by input from SS please?
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Old 03-11-2014, 19:03
jazzydrury3
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I wish you the best of luck and try not to worry too much although it will be very hard not to.
How long does it realstically take
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Old 03-11-2014, 19:09
Keyser_Soze1
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How long does it realstically take
I do not really know what the average timeframe is - but perhaps other DS members will have far more knowledge on the subject?
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Old 03-11-2014, 19:14
phantom sneeze
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What do you mean by input from SS please?
If you have a care package from social services, means they provide with direct payments or a package of care and you have a social worker from one of the social care teams, they fill in the forms for you and take responsibility for letters you receive from ATOS.
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