ATOS medical

lyndac40

hi cit_k,

Will ask them tomorow when I call them.

Thanks

Lynda x

lyndac40

Hi everyone,

I didn't get a chance to call ESA today I will do it tomorrow.

Got another question. I was at my brother inlaws today he was filling in a HC1 form. I had a look at this form but I cant decide if I need to fill in one of these forms or not. The thing I dont know is if my ESA is income related or not. At the moment I have a NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate that runs out on 30/06/2010. I get about 7 different medicines from the doc every month. So as you can imagine this would be a great help to me and my family.

Thank you in advance for any replies.#

Lynda x

daska

Re HC1: I would suggest ringing the ESA helpline and asking for a call-back to confirm. My support worker and I were told on more than one occasion that I was in receipt of income related ESA when in fact it turns out it's contribution based. If in any doubt fill in the form anyway and enclose a note stating that the ESA paperwork doesn't tell you.

lyndac40

Hi daska,

Thanks for that I will call them.

Got yet another question.

I got another letter this morning I have to go for yet another Atos medical Assessment. I was only there 4 1/2 weeks ago. When I called the freephone number I was told this was the second part of the medical assessment. Does anyone have any idea what this will entail.

Thank you

Lynda x

daska

Yes, this is the WFHRA or Work Focused Health Related Assessment. In theory it shouldn't affect your award, it's purpose is to talk to you about how you feel about going back to work and write a report for the JC+ so that they can help you appropriately. They talk with you about what you did, what you feel you can do, how you feel about returning to work etc.

lyndac40

Hi daska,

Thanks for the information. A bit of a waste of time atm I am waiting to go it to hospital for an operation so cant see me going back to work just now.

Lynda x

lyndac40

Hi everyone,

Just to let you all know I phoned ESA place seem's I am on contribution based ESA so should I go ahead and fill in the HC1 form. Waiting for one to be delivered but picked one up at JC+ on Wednesday.

cit_k.

I forgot to ask for a copy of the medical report. I will call them again on Monday not sure if they will be closed Bank holiday here on Monday. I will call on Tuesday if it is.

Also daska,

I forgot to mention to you about the second part of the ATOS medical. I am still technically in employment at the moment although I dont know if they are going to keep my job open for me. So at the moment I have no intention of looking for another job untill they pay me off. I have been of sick for nearly a year now I am only on ESA because my SSP ran out.

Another thing I was wondering about my daughter in laws mother was on IB and had an ATOS medical her IB has since stopped due to her having a lack of points. Not sure what the points thing is. Is this only to do with IB or does it include ESA she keeps asking me how may points I got at my medical.

Thank you as always for any advice.

Lynda x

daska

If you got put in the Work Related Support group then you got enough points to not be classed as fit to go on jobseekers but not enough for them to consider you unfit for any work. Sorry if that seems vague but I'm yet to see anyone write a post saying "I had an ATOS medical and I agree with every word they wrote"...

I understand that legally they are not allowed to waive the WFHRA or the 6 appts with the job centre (or whatever company they have subcontracted to).

lyndac40

Hi daska,

Thanks for your reply. I know legally I have to go for these WFHRA appointments but it just seem stupid to me as I have no intentions of looking for a job at this moment in time. Such a waste of time and money. They obviously hadn't thought about it when ESA came into force how they could better help people in my situation. I am sure I am not the only person who gets ESA that has got a job.

Thanks

Lynda x

Molly41

daska wrote: »

If you got put in the Work Related Support group then you got enough points to not be classed as fit to go on jobseekers but not enough for them to consider you unfit for any work. Sorry if that seems vague but I'm yet to see anyone write a post saying "I had an ATOS medical and I agree with every word they wrote"...

I understand that legally they are not allowed to waive the WFHRA or the 6 appts with the job centre (or whatever company they have subcontracted to).

I had my 6 appointments suspended as I was obviously so unwell - the woman couldn't wait to get me out the door! I think they have to see you for the first one and then can suspend for 6 months, see you again and suspend for another 6 months. I appealed and was placed in support group so now dont have to attend!