Any tips for going to ATOS Assessment?

time2save

miduck wrote: »

Or you could follow rogerblack's advice and do it legitimately. No point in creating a problem where there doesn't need to be one.

time2save, have you submitted a medical report to support your application? It sounds like this would be helpful to you, as it could explain the way you may come across?

No, not on this particular issue

I know I should have done that :mad:

time2save

I still haven't given the ESA50 in, it was due on 6th Dec but I've been ill (MH) and hence tnot submitted.

I'm trying to hand this ASAP, but could this affect the ESA claim

rogerblack

time2save wrote: »

I still haven't given the ESA50 in, it was due on 6th Dec but I've been ill (MH) and hence tnot submitted.

I'm trying to hand this ASAP, but could this affect the ESA claim

It may do, yes.
Have you let them know it will be late?

FTW

miduck wrote: »

Or you could follow rogerblack's advice and do it legitimately. No point in creating a problem where there doesn't need to be one.

time2save, have you submitted a medical report to support your application? It sounds like this would be helpful to you, as it could explain the way you may come across?

By all means do it legitimately - but also do it covertly.

On the off-chance that Atoss agrees, and then the equipment used suddenly 'isn't working' or 'not there' on the day itself.

Besides, even if a recording was done, it wouldn't surprise me if Atoss were to 'selectively edit' it to suit their own purposes.

satarical

rogerblack wrote: »

Do not make any special effort with your appearance, or take more pills than you would do on any other day.
Consider requesting the interview is recorded, taking someone with you, or covertly recording the interview.
Be aware that the assessor may take into account everything from the time when they first see you to the last.
Understand the basis on which you may be entitled to ESA.
http://www.tameside.gov.uk/esa/wca#LCW

If you have any relevant medical information you have not sent to the DWP with the initial application - take it along, and ask for it to be read.

I like that 'ask'. Anything handed over at the assessment or even sent to the DWP stands very little chance of being read or understood.
What ATOS/DWP are supposed to do, bears little in common with what actually happens. The DWP have a big 'rubber stamp' that says that they accept the ATOS assessment!

I remember one question I was asked - how did you get to the assessment today? By car uh! The ESA85 report stated that I drove a car the 14 miles to the assessment with no difficulty! Strange really considering that my wife drove me and we had to stop twice so that I could get out for a few minutes as I was feeling sick. But hey they didn't ask me that did they? They specifically asked how I got there, not who drove, did you have any difficulties during the journey.

satarical

miduck wrote: »

Or you could follow rogerblack's advice and do it legitimately. No point in creating a problem where there doesn't need to be one.

time2save, have you submitted a medical report to support your application? It sounds like this would be helpful to you, as it could explain the way you may come across?

If a medical report is required along those lines - the GP/Consultant going through the descriptors line by line and reporting on them will cost money!

A medical report that says that the patient has *** and is being treated by *** will generally not affect the outcome of the case.
The report has to be ESA specific to be of any real value.

In my first claim I sent everything I had both with the ESA50 and handed a copy in at the assessment.
When the SOR reasons for the failure came back, none of what I had sent in was itemised or mentioned as being used to make the decision.
When I complained via the MP, I went from failure to Support Group for three years immediately!!

This time round, I've sent nothing with the ESA50, don't intend to hand anything in at the assessment and refused to disclose who my consultants are/GP is. The end result can't be any worse or any different- failure with 0 points just like last time.

Richie-from-the-Boro

FTW wrote: »

Covertly recording it I would consider as essential.

It might seem excessive, but you have a good chance of regretting it a good deal more if you don't.

- agree 100%

Essentially you have 2 choices, (1) you can have for all time a verbatim record in chronological order of the 5-W's, or (2) you can have no record whatsoever. You should rely on the only person you can trust - yourself.

- ATOS Rep - 23-01-2013, 10:57 AM - We currently have 52 devices in place and numbers fluctuate in terms of those out for repair – it's usually less than about 5 at any time

People should always ask politely, then assume regardless of what response they get from ATOS, make provision to record it themselves, without compunction. You have two choices (1) a record or (2) no record.

Does anyone here really believe that on any one day with 5 machines spread between 141 centres throughout the whole of the UK including its islands they are going to 'get lucky' and have their wish granted ? If there is such a person they also believe in fairies.

REM : What happens in practice is :

- encouraging words are spoken and written promising to 'try' to 'facilitate'
- only when you are in the room do you find they were not able to 'facilitate'
- you then have the decision to 'not have it recorded' and have the medical
, or ;
- or because its not being recorded - leave the centre without the medical and have your benefits instantly stopped - do NOT do this !

time2save

Thanks for the tips, really helpful and some really amusing :rotfl::rotfl:

JS477

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

Does anyone here really believe that on any one day with 5 machines spread between 141 centres throughout the whole of the UK including its islands they are going to 'get lucky' and have their wish granted ? If there is such a person they also believe in fairies.

I never though I'd hear myself say this but to be fair to the MSE sponsored Atos Rep they did say "We currently have 52 devices in place and numbers fluctuate in terms of those out for repair – it's usually less than about 5 at any time"

So it isn't just 5 machines to cover the whole of the UK it's 52 with maybe 5 out for repair due to Atos breaking them.

Admittedly I have no faith in Atos being honest when it comes to them agreeing to a recorded WCA and they will try all sorts of tactics to prevent the claimant getting their right to have their WCA recorded. The last thing Atos want is for a claimant to record their WCA!!

Happychappy

nashly wrote: »

Lie through your teeth as honesty gets you nowhere, then expect Atossers to do just the same.

Listen to the experts like Nashly, or Sign up for a course with Rada, you will learn to oh, ahh, moan, groan and whimper better than any !!!!!! actor, I know the pay is less but, beats the crap out of work, for gods sake don't tell the truth, they won't know how to deal with that :eek: