ATOS medical booked.... what next???

hoggle_2

Hi all,

Looking for some advice please as now starting to worry after reading some of the horror stories on here

OH is in receipt of DLA, (higher mobility & middle care)
HB & CTB
Income based ESA, (I am included in his claim)
I am in receipt of carer's allowance for him.

Couple of weeks ago the ESA medical form dropped on the mat which was duly returned and today we received a telephone call from ATOS booking a medical.

Now a bit worried as to what will happen at the assessment.

1) Should I go in with him to take notes etc?

2) How long does it take for them to make a decision if you are entitled or not?

3) If he is turned down and we appeal how much is the reduced rate ESA?

Thanks for reading.

MrsManda

If he wants you to go into with him you can do, my husband came in with me.

The ATOS medical professional submits his report to the DWP the day you have the medical - it's all computerised so once he's finished he just need to press a button to submit. A decision maker at the DWP then looks at the report alongside the notes you've sent/any evidence they have from your doctors etc... and makes a decision.
Mine took a week but I don't know if that's standard, I presume it depends on how busy they are.

You get one month to appeal after a decision is made. Information on how to appeal will be sent to you alongside your decision letter.

I believe you receive the assessment rate of ESA whilst appealing.

Try not to worry too much, remember that in general people are much more prepared to tell horror stories than stories where it all works out fine.

hoggle_2

Thanks for your response. Do you know how much the assessment phase of ESA is?

MrsManda

hoggle wrote: »

Thanks for your response. Do you know how much the assessment phase of ESA is?

Upto £65.45 a week for over 25s
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/esa/DG_171896

hoggle_2

Thank you.

Just getting really anxious about it as have no idea what we will do if he is turned down. Wouldn't mind but there is no way he could work with everything that has happened to him and how he has been left. I am looking for work but to no avail at present as it has to fit in with caring for him and also 2 children at primary school.

Skinticket

MrsManda wrote: »

If he wants you to go into with him you can do, my husband came in with me.

The ATOS medical professional submits his report to the DWP the day you have the medical - it's all computerised so once he's finished he just need to press a button to submit. A decision maker at the DWP then looks at the report alongside the notes you've sent/any evidence they have from your doctors etc... and makes a decision.
Mine took a week but I don't know if that's standard, I presume it depends on how busy they are.

You get one month to appeal after a decision is made. Information on how to appeal will be sent to you alongside your decision letter.

I believe you receive the assessment rate of ESA whilst appealing.

Try not to worry too much, remember that in general people are much more prepared to tell horror stories than stories where it all works out fine.

the term "medical professional" should be used VERY loosely indeed.

:rotfl:

dmg24

Skinticket wrote: »

the term "medical professional" should be used VERY loosely indeed.

:rotfl:

All those who undertake the medical assessment are allied to a health profession.

Bamber19

dmg24 wrote: »

All those who undertake the medical assessment are allied to a health profession.

Indeed, up here it is always a doctor or a nurse and the term medical professional is only used because it can be either and that term covers both nicely. For some reason it seems to be read into by, generally those who fail, as some sort of suggestion that the examiner is simply a guy of the street who passed a 2 minute test to become an examiner.

hoggle_2

Are all claimants called in for medicals once their forms are returned? DLA was awarded without an interview s wondering if ESA can be the same.

Skinticket

dmg24 wrote: »

All those who undertake the medical assessment are allied to a health profession.

i suffer from fibromyalgia due to a serious accident, it is something for which there is no cure that causes crippling pain that i shall have for the rest of my life, yet the "healthcare professional" said in her report..

" i expect a return to work in the next 3 months "

what a load of tosh.

50Twuncle

This DLA without any medical is confusing me - I was assessed as being eligible for DLA some 4 years ago - via a "home visit" doctor - yet, more recent DLA appears to have been given just on the "say so" of applicants
Any comments welcome ....