Phone call from ATOS

melbury

I have asked this on the Disability & Dosh site, but thought perhaps some people on here may have the same thing happen.

I got a phone call from ATOS at about 5.45pm today asking to speak to my husband. I informed them that he cannot actually speak and told them thatthe DWP have a letter authorizing me to talk about ESA claim on his behalf. The woman said that they didn't have a copy of the letter so she wouldn't be able to discuss anything with me and would write instead.

I am really worried about this, I did anticipate an ESA50 turning up eventually, but have never heard about them telephoning people.

I am also mad at myself for not saying that if she had read his file she would have known that he cannot speak:mad:

Has anyone had a phone call from them and, if so, what do they want?

PippaGirl_2

I know lots of people get phone calls to arrange appointments for the face to face appointments so it may just be that. They followed procedure though as although the DWP hold on system if someone else deals with a persons claim, ATOS is a different entity and so shouldn't breach confidentiality.

melbury

PippaGirl wrote: »

I know lots of people get phone calls to arrange appointments for the face to face appointments so it may just be that. They followed procedure though as although the DWP hold on system if someone else deals with a persons claim, ATOS is a different entity and so shouldn't breach confidentiality.

Thanks, we will just have to wait until we get the letter. It is so stressful dealing with them isn't it.

Would they arrange a face to face appointment without asking for a form ESA50 to be completed beforehand? I have never had this happen before.

PippaGirl_2

Unusual, but it does happen. I am sure it is just a querie at most, all will become clear when the letter arrives.

I don't do phones so no one has my number as I can't talk on it. Only friends and family have a mobile phone number so I can text, that does mean that no agencies can call me out of the blue which is a bonus.

Popperwell

I'm ex directory but where I have had to divulge my number, if I hear the phone ring I still don't answer it...I have hardly any family so I know it's usually someone I don't want to talk to...someone selling something or heaven forbid something like this...

I especially avoid phoning a number I don't recognise and if no number is left I cannot call back anyhow but my attitude is if you are not prepared to leave a number for me to phone why should I worry. I have the landline purely so I can access the internet my main way of staying informed and entertained...I hope I can always afford to keep it going but the phone and internet comes out around 90p a day quite cheap really. For 24/7 access...

PippaGirl_2

I've switched to Virgin, internet only. No phone line needed. £22 a month. Pointless paying for a phone line when I never ever used it!

Popperwell

I'll look into that, thanks...

This is Ironic and ties in with this thread...

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/08/29/atos-paralympic-sponsors-under-fire-disabled-attitude_n_1838614.html

HB58

OP, is your husband being transferred from IB? In these cases, DWP phone the claimant first to warn them that an ESA50 will be sent out soon, explain the transfer process and ask if there are any questions.

melbury

HB58 wrote: »

OP, is your husband being transferred from IB? In these cases, DWP phone the claimant first to warn them that an ESA50 will be sent out soon, explain the transfer process and ask if there are any questions.

No he is not being transferred from IB, he has been on ESA for about two years now. Last ESA50 was submitted in February and we didn't hear anything following that until the phone call yesterday.

PippaGirl_2

I would expect the reason is to arrange the next face to face assessment then - they often do that by telephone

mazza111

They did call me to arrange an appointment. I refused to tell them my NI number or my D.O.B. cos it could have been anyone phoning. So they then proceeded to tell me me my NI number and DOB when I could have been anyone. :rotfl:

My phone call was followed on by a letter, and a letter from me to them about breaching the DPA