DLA ATOS med-mental health grounds (now turned down)

Kazzea · 20 August 2009 at 2:11PM

Applied fro DLA over a month ago and today received a letter from ATOS saying a medical has been requested by the DWP to help them decide my entitlement. its says they willcontact me shortly QUOTE "to arrange a visit"

Does this mean they want to visit me at home? (I know I could just wait and find out) Also is this likely to be the same kind of medical as I had for my IB50 though didn't have one for renewal. (currently on Income support with disability premium)

I have severe depression and anxiety but am wondering if it is a home visit will they assess me correctly? I live with my parents btw. Admittedly I hated going for my IB50 medical a few years ago as it was in unfamiliar surroundings and I got severely panicky/anxious and upset. And that was WITH the fact that i could drive there and park practically at the front door. (I can;t really go anywhere myself and certainly not walking ir using public transport) Maybe a home visit is the best of the options? ALso will they use the same medical centre cos if its changed and its not VEY near a car park - I can see myself sitting in the car unable to leave and get there.

Anyway - any helpful replies appreciated thanks

P.S. Any troll/nasty posts will be ignored by me and I ask others do the same.

sp1987 · 20 August 2009 at 2:31PM

I do not know anything about DLA itself but I'm sure lots of people will be able to say more helpful things than me.

At least a visit to an outside centre would allow them to assess you correctly? If you were at home maybe you would be uncharacteristically comfortable/calmer and that would make your results seem less severe. If you have problems leaving your home alone etc that may make a difference to the result, as it would mean you needed help/company. At home you may just look a bit anxious as opposed to somebody who has real difficulties with doing things other people might find straightforward like walking around outside. Plus, could one of your parents go with you so you are not walking about alone?

Try not to worry until you know more

healy · 20 August 2009 at 3:01PM

Yes it does mean that they want to visit you at home. When people apply for DLA and a medical is required in the vast majority of cases people are assessed at home rather than a medical centre.

claire1234 · 20 August 2009 at 3:08PM

hiya,

yes my hubby had a home visit also,
nothing to worry about at all,
if you are concered about anything give them a ring (or get somebody else to)
when the doctor comes see if someone can sit with you,

keep ringing them if you have any concerns,

Kazzea · 22 August 2009 at 10:37AM

Quick update - gt the letter from ATOS on Thursday - got a phone call at 4:20pm on Friday to arrange a visit for 9:30 am the following day (Saturday) I agreed then realised due to a local event there was no access to anywhere near my home. Got a phone call back to rearrange the appointment which is now Monday 11am - the doctor was on the phone for a while though and to be honest it was almost like he was starting his assessment already (I never said I had any problems communicating on the phone). Very nervous about the visit and parents are away on holiday (though wouldn't want them sitting in anyway) Hate having to go through how crap my life is over and over again - on paper was bad enough - now I get to do it all over again to a complete stranger (a Dr admittedly but not all are open to mental health problems)

Anyway - thanks for the replies so far

Will just have to see how it goes I suppose.

cit_k · 23 August 2009 at 5:17AM

good luck...

let us know the outcome.....

System · 23 August 2009 at 12:56PM

Good luck, hopefully you will get a doctor who has a clue about mental health!

Kazzea · 24 August 2009 at 2:00PM

Okay - well the doctors been and gone - was here for about 1 hour 20 mins (which is I know better than the ones who are in and out in under 5 mins) Seemd quite nice but really don't have a clue how it went. He seemed to phrase some of the questions a bit oddly and well I just don;t know how it went at all really. Should have asked but does anyone know how long it will be before i hear anything (roughly)??

Obviously was really upset throughout the interview and felt really crap afterwards - THEN i found out that the flat i was REALLY hoping to rent had went to "the working couple"

so not a terrific start to my day so far.

cit_k · 24 August 2009 at 2:34PM

Kazzea wrote: »

Okay - well the doctors been and gone - was here for about 1 hour 20 mins (which is I know better than the ones who are in and out in under 5 mins) Seemd quite nice but really don't have a clue how it went. He seemed to phrase some of the questions a bit oddly and well I just don;t know how it went at all really. Should have asked but does anyone know how long it will be before i hear anything (roughly)??

Obviously was really upset throughout the interview and felt really crap afterwards - THEN i found out that the flat i was REALLY hoping to rent had went to "the working couple" so not a terrific start to my day so far.

Could be anywhere from a few days, to a few months - my last one took months for a result. Some people hear in week or two.

Hope its a decent result, you never can tell from how the examiner behaved.

Any examples of the how he phrased things oddly?

Kazzea · 31 August 2009 at 1:01PM

Got the decision letter today - I;ve been turned down for EVERYTHING !! I don;t understand. Says I don't need help or supervision outside in unfamiliar places - (If someone isn;t with me I wouldn;t go) I dont need motivation etc (rubbish) basically its all wrong. WHat do I do now? - I am really upset as its a painful (emotionally) process to go through to begin with and then for them to turn round and basically say I am talking rubbish?

Help please???

System · 31 August 2009 at 1:05PM

Kazzea wrote: »

Got the decision letter today - I;ve been turned down for EVERYTHING !! I don;t understand. Says I don't need help or supervision outside in unfamiliar places - (If someone isn;t with me I wouldn;t go) I dont need motivation etc (rubbish) basically its all wrong. WHat do I do now? - I am really upset as its a painful (emotionally) process to go through to begin with and then for them to turn round and basically say I am talking rubbish?

Help please???

I knoiw it must be upsetting for you but you have every right to appeal. If you can get in touch with CAB then they would be ablke to help you with the appeal?

*hugs*

this might help explain the process (pdf) http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/gl24dwp.pdf

DLA ATOS med-mental health grounds (now turned down)

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