I have finally been given my date for ATOS examination 29th Oct...I am worried about this never had to do this before

[mazzer2]

I also work parttime will this go against me...will a support letter from my colleague help ? Thanks

[Offcut]

You do not say what you are claiming for ESA ,DLA/PIP? If you are working for a council or disability approved agency and not earning above £99.00 a week you may be fine with ESA. Technically you can work with DLA/PIP claims.

If you have any medical letters that explains your conditions copy and give them to the ATOS person. Wear what is comfortable not what is made to impress. Try not to go with anything that needs lacing or buckling as this will be pulled up on as you having dexterity and go against the points scoring. Try and go with someone you know and do not do anything that will cause you pain even if pressured to do so.

[mazzer2 in reply to Offcut]

Thanks offcut it is PIP I am going for ..I wrk 18hrs now as too ill to work full time,I will do my best

[Kirby]

DLA was brought in to help people meet the extra costs of disability and that includes going to work. It shouldn't count against you, though who knows what rules they go by these days? If you have a representative who can go with you that would no doubt help. Best of luck. x

[Darren1976]

Hi mazer sorry if I worry you I had my examination yesterday I was in there 10 min and this is what happened to me this is the truth I promise you I went in my wheel chair with my partner who is my career as well he said to I read newspapers do I have a mobile can I use a PC he asked me to stand up then sit down and checked my meds then said that's all dla will contact me within 14 days then I left it was a joke not once did he ask about my illness and how it is in the morning or night I felt he just cheated me and there nothing I can do untill I get the results back so I think I'm in for a big fight at tribunal I'm on 24 pills a day injecting once weekly twice daily and I'm on morfin patches and I think he's going to try send me back to work lets see will keep u posted chin up

[mazzer2 in reply to Darren1976]

Ive got no chance then .....Its bloody disgraceful wil let you know what happens to me

[Hidden in reply to Darren1976]

Darren, was this for pip? As that is nothing like the assessment I have just had

[Hidden]

Mazzer, I have just had an ATOS assessment for PIP, it was nothing like what Darren describes. It will not stand against you that you work, in fact it is probably an advantage as long as the type of work you do is not incompatible with your stated disability. In my assessment, which took 45 mins, she went through all the questions I had completed on the forms asking for more detail. She recorded what I had said. I was then asked to do a basic mobility assessment ( nothing too taxing). The assessment process for other benefits is very different. Pip is supposed to keep you I dependant and if possible working! Hope it goes well for you

[mazzer2 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Marie That makes me feel better..will let you know what happens take care

[Aisha]

I have been sent an appt for 29th of October for My ESA Assessment with ATOS for ESA! I am worried and don't know what I should do? And should I take someone with me? Please Help. Thanks Aisha x

[Mazz64]

Hi Aisha..Yes take someone with you, I went on my own the first time and it was a big mistake!! I have had 2 of theses ESA assessments and in the first one I got 0 points on the second I got 6 points, I appealed both and won.. as I had my papers in a folder it appears I was fine as I could remove them, I took my coat off even tho I wasn't wearing one!! I hoover every day and clean and cook and have no problem with personal care ( i wish), not what I said at all, so don't worry if you get no points, I know its a pain but appeal straight away.. I sent off my 3th ESA form a few weeks ago so expecting an other assessment soon, but this time I'm going to ask to have it recorded as what they put on it is nothing like I have told them... they will want to know what meds ur on and any side affects and take any medical notes you have with you. but please don't go alone as straight away it goes against you.. good luck and let us know what happens..

[haribo36]

It makes me wonder that with all the problems peeps have with these medicals that it would be better to go there with your bed clothes on,not having brushed your teeth or hair and saying that your are unable to do anything as this is how (for me)you would be on a bad day!Plus,crawling along the floor as on a bad day would be in bed!I haven't had one of these medicals yet as I haven't heard from them yet with regards to changing my incapacity benefit,and I must say that iam not looking forward to it with all the things I've read.Just hope that I have to go (if I do) on a bad day x

[Mazz64 in reply to haribo36]

Hi Lol, your right. but that may not work..at my first medical I had slept in as I was awake most of the week with worry, when my sister turned up I was still in bed, she helped me dress in the cloths I had on for the 2 previous days and off we went, no hair or teeth brushed, hair all over the place, jumper had beans down the front, jeans had I think egg on them, my sister said you look like death warmed up! when I got 0 point and read their report I couldn't believe it when it said " she was smartly dressed and well groomed" along with all the other rubbish they put, I had to check it really was my report and not someone else's... anyway I won at tribunal and 3 months later I got another ESA form to fill in, off to another medical and got 6 point, so tribunal again and won...just sent off my latest ESA form..I expect I will be going to tribunal again ...but for my next medical I'm going to ask to have it recorded.

[haribo36]

Yes that sounds very wise to me.I just don't know how they can get away with blatantly lying like that! It's atrocious,they are all mean and downright uncaring and nasty people!