ATOS

[Angeldancea812]

Can anyone tell me how long you have to wait before you hear from these dreaded people. I had to fill in the form to arrive by the end of October, so I know it's early, but I would like some idea.

[kizzi]

think i waited a couple of months before i got a home visit...word of advice from someone who's just lost DLA tribunal..just because ATOS person is nice to your face dont mean there gonna be nice on there form, also make sure ur Doctor fills in your form properly and not just a list of meds ur on.

hope that helps x

[sue57 in reply to kizzi]

TOO RIGHT!!!

[Zeemo in reply to kizzi]

Hi Kizzi really sorry to hear you lost an appeal. I fortunately just won an ESA Tribunal. I used my local CAB to represent me and fill in forms for me. I can only describes them as Guardian Angels. They have been absolutely fantastic!

[feeling]

I have waited exactly 10 weeks from when i posted for,to examination,good luck

[hugosmum70]

IF I REMEMBER RIGHT,MY SON HAD HIS MEDICAL ABOUT 3 WEEKS AFTER GETTING THE FORM . THAT WAS ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO. SOMEONE ELSE I KNOW GOT HIS FORM SAME TIME AS MY SON. AND IS STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM/ HES IN LONDON ,MY SON IN YORKSHIRE .DONT KNOW IF THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

SORRY FOR CAPS. JUST ON MY WAY TO BED WHEN I SAW YOUR QUERY. NIGHT ALL.XX

[Benjamina]

Sent mine in beginning of October three weeks later..letter saying support group..it depends what area you live in..x

[Cappa]

Hi,new here.i post my ATOS questionnaire off in June,never heard anything,When I went to DWP,they told me ATOS don't want to see me until next November.Their correspondence is terrible-still never received any letters off them.Leave it a few weeks and phone them as it still early.

Cappa180

[fibro]

it can take quite a while as they have to go though everyone's forms and decide if an interview ,face to face assessment is required. hope you hear soon xx

[dragonfly45]

hi, my application form was due in by 15th oct, I had my assessment on 30th oct.I got my letter to say I was in the support group on 9th november. I think there is a bit of a back-log depending on where in the country you are though.My tips for the assessment are; try not to stress about it, make sure when answering questions you keep them short, dont waffle.If there are any steps in the building ask for a lift.Get someone to go with you.Tell them about how you really feel, think about your worst days. I hope this helps. Good Luck x

[sue57]

I had an interview in the job centre last week, as many of you will recall!! It was only there that I was told I don't have to have a medical for 12 months. Well at least I know I won't get better by then!!!

[colleenofminster]

After filling in my form and sending it I did not hear from them for over four months and then got a weeks notice suddenly that I had to go for a medical (which I rearranged because I had not been given enough notice to arrange my support to come with me). Had the medical in July, according to the form I was going to be all cured within three months and fit for work. I am still now waiting to hear the final decision from the DWP now in November. I think its all a bit of a lottery really. Just sit tight and hopefully you wont have to go for a medical. xx

[Hidden]

My home visit application was accepted in February.....I'm still waiting lol

[Ozzygirl64]

I went through a right rigmarole with this. I filled in the forms in the July last year. Then they sent me an appointment for September, it arrived the day AFTER I was supposed to go, it was only sent the day BEFORE I was supposed to go. But they mademe fill in forms to explain why I had missed the appointment. Then they arranged another one and as I was leaving they rang to say the doctor was NOT available. I finally got there in the October, they turned me down on 8th December, I got the letter 12th and I appealed 13th. I think it is when it suits them hun and they give you the run araound inbetween if they so wish. I wish you luck xxxxx

[pondminstrel]

hi,i agree they sometimes seem nice but then when you getbthe report its like hey! are they talking about the same person!,,also i did mention in one of my posts that ATOS medical persons" have drop down boxes so if you say something and they dont have a box thats exactly what you have said..hey presto they use the nearest answer in their drop down box !!! iwhen i complained to atos i reminded them that we dont have the luxuary of a drop down box to choose from!!! we have to be presise and accurate in every word we say,then they just say what they want anyway!! no win situation..and if we told such blatant lies on our forms we would be procecuted for fraud!! xxxx

[Angeldancea812]

Thanks all. I'll just have to wait and see. Sorry it took some of you so long to hear. Hope it doesn't take me that long and that I do actually hear at some point!

[Zeemo]

Someone mentioned in a blog about the HCP (Health Care Professional) acting like a friend, but them actually being far from that. Well from my experience I couldn't agree more. My advice to everyone is DO NOT go to the appointment alone. DO NOT go into the assessment alone. Take someone with you and insist that they accompany you into the assessment itself.

Next time I have any assessment I will record the interview. You must tell them you are recording the interview. Answer there questions with simple answers and do not deviate. I will give you an example. I was asked if I drive. I said yes, when I am well enough and that I had to drive an automatic as I could no longer handle a manual gearbox. The DWP's response to this was that as I drove a car I must be able to operate switches, steering column stalks and operate a handbrake with my left arm. Because of this they said I was fit for work. I made a fatal mistake of telling them that I have a dog. I told them that I used to be able to take my dog to the local park 2 to 3 times a day. I went on to say that now I am unable to do this and rely on other people to do it for me. I did say that I took my dog into the communal garden to toilet. The HCP recorded that I have a dog which I take for walks daily and I have informal carers that take him to the park when I am unable to. The DWP interpretation was that as I take my dog for walks daily in their opinion I was able to walk at least 200 metres without difficulty.

I will let you interpret that yourself. My advice is treat the interview as an interrogation and tell them as little as possible. As far as my HCP was concerned I was fit for work before we even started. Protest your innocence. Exaggerate your answers and keep them short aqnd sweet.

Just so you know and not to worry you I just one my Tribunal. The judge said there was not much that needed to be asked as the medical and other evidence submitted was in his own words, "very substantial"

[Aero]

It took 4 whole months to have a reply and they pass me as "Fit for work" but i have a broken back that is held together using many metal work so it causes constant pain,plus PTSD,Burstitis of hips and ribs and back,i have had zero points not sure how a doctor with no medical history of me says i am fit for work in just 20 minutes of meeting me!,

when i explained the constant pain he just rolled his eyes as if i was some sort of benefit cheat,but yes expect a long wait i think its down to the many appeals they are going through so it has caused a delay in everything.