ATOS How black and white is it?

[DaleDiva]

My daughter is due an examination soon but like most of us has good and bad days. Do ATOS require a yes/no answer or can you explain the issues you face. If you admit to good days do they assume you can do things and don't need support? As she has social phobia will the fact she even gets there go against her?

[Silvergilt]

That's interesting, as the word on the ground is assessments are supposed to be on hold! The Atos assessments can be rather grim, but a bit of advice would be a) she shouldn't go alone. Someone should go with her to be able to keep track of what is being said. B) ask the specialty of the interviewer if needed to know in future. C) issues on good and bad days can be brought up, but again it's important to have someone there who can act as witness to this being said so detail of how she is affected doesn't turn into just a yes/no.

Good luck to her!

[bevjane74]

Describe the illness as it is on her worst days if asked about bad and good days simply say the bad out weigh the good also point out that this condition is highly unpredictable and is impossible to plan ahead as flares can happen anytime

All the best to her

[MrsMouseSJ]

Hi DaleDiva

I had an ATOS work capability assessment a few months back and was extremely nervous/wary. Yes, you can explain the issues you face however I would strongly recommend that your daughter does as much preparation as she is able to in the weeks leading up to it; I did - including writing down and then rehearsing my typical day; writing down and rehearsing talking about my symptoms and how they affect my capabilities - and I think this helped me. Assuming it is a WCA that your daughter will be undergoing, are you up to speed with the criteria the ATOS and then DWP assessors are working with and the points scoring system they use? If not, drop me a line and I'll send you a link to this information. Although be aware that the interview will not appear to refer to those criteria at all - if my own experience is anything to go by and those of some other people I have heard about - so think about how to work them into a description of a typical daily routine and other questions that might be asked about habits e.g. TV viewing, from which capability might be inferred. A few other tips which may be of help (excuse the length but I'd rather write too much than too little, given how stressful the lead-up to these assessments can be):

In preparing, and then in the interview, I had to think carefully about what a typical day looked like, not taking anything for granted e.g. instead of saying I could 'get up', I emphasised that that is often not a simple task. I have to go slowly, or else x, y, z happens; I often have pain causing x, y, z, etc. If it takes time, etc, to get downstairs and make/have breakfast, this all needs to be said. Think in terms of tasks/activities and the scoring criteria (although I was careful not to let on that I knew about these). Don't let them rush your daughter, if at all possible.

I got tired in the interview and said so. I also asked that I might be allowed to stretch as required. I also made a point of letting the interviewer now, as a seeming aside, that it would take me 3-5 days to recover from the travel, waiting and interview, and what symptoms I was likely to experience.

I had your worry, namely to what extent I should describe variability within my life due to my conditions. As my bad days outnumber the 'good', I mainly described them, and waiting for the interviewer to prompt re better days. Then carefully qualifying what a good day actually means. I also prepared by getting some numbers together - so I knew how many bad days a month I have on average; when these occur; etc (I keep a brief diary of such information).

Above all, remember that something has to be able to be done safely, reliably and repeatedly! Your daughter may well be able to walk a fair distance as a a one-off but if asked to repeatedly walk 100 metres each day she would find this impossible or it would lead to a substantial deterioration in her health.

Good luck!

[DaleDiva in reply to MrsMouseSJ]

Thank you so much for the excellent and thoughtful reply x

[MrsMouseSJ]

Should also have said, your daughter has the right to request that her interview is recorded. Mine was (caused all manner of kerfuffle, which I have to admit pleased me greatly!). So acts as a clear record of what was actually said - of course you might consider this a disadvantage. And as Silvergilt says, some like to take somone along, to witness and also possibly back up statements.

[princesstracie]

Hi I joined benefitsandwork.co.uk

They give advise and can tell you what you are likely to be asked.

Also they have lists of points you need to get benefits when filling out your forms. Good luck, Tracie