DLA ATOS Home Visit - update, a sad outcome

helentay_2

nannytone wrote: »

we werent told to falsify anything.

at times though.... i knew they were lying because they were contradicting things that i knew to be fact ...

the man who walked across the car park carrying crutches, but by the time he came through the door, it was like he'd collapse if he took one more step.
he then told me that he couldnt walk at all without them ....

It is those types of people that should be reported and as I have said, make it a legal requirement that the authorities are made aware of what has been going on.

helentay_2

SandraScarlett wrote: »

.

Yes I agree aids, like rails in the hall and her bedroom, help her, but until they invent a bum-wiping robot, and one that can slice and peel and chop things, she needs help.

I've helped her on and off the loo a few times, and once when I took her shopping to get an evening dress for the Barmitzvah of the son of a friend, she asked me to unclip her bra, and zip her up, and then the reverse afterwards.

Apart from the rails and such like, the DWP have a responsibility to look to see what other aids and adaptions that are available that your friend may not have but can be obtained.

I have a copy of a brochure from 'Safe Hands' The equipment in there astounds me. There seems to be something that you can use for almost every eventuality.
I am even aware that there is a toilet that actually automatically cleans bums and dries them!! Don't ask me how they work, just that they do.

If the DWP think that more aids and adaptions could be used then they must assess the claimant on the basis that those aids and adaptions are in existence in the household even if they aren't.

BobQ

A very disturbing story. The people processing these claims cannot be trusted to do things properly. My aunt applied for AA last year, it was refused based on the form alone a decision they confirmed on the phone. She then wrote for more informataion and got a call saying that they had discovered that the wrong decision had been entered into the computer, The original claim had been approved.

Horseunderwater

BobQ wrote: »

A very disturbing story. The people processing these claims cannot be trusted to do things properly. My aunt applied for AA last year, it was refused based on the form alone a decision they confirmed on the phone. She then wrote for more informataion and got a call saying that they had discovered that the wrong decision had been entered into the computer, The original claim had been approved.

Good god - you do hear some awful situations arising on these forums. But at least your Aunt got it in the end.

mazza111

helentay wrote: »

I would also mention that claimants and agency staff have also been known to be 'baffled' when a better than expected award drops through the letter box!

I have heard and seen of cases involving both ESA and DLA where the claimant was astounded when the awards were even made!

One such case in particular involved a person who contacted AgeUK in respect of claiming DLA. Eventually an award was made for mobility and care. Some weeks later the Welfare Advisor happened to see this same gentleman cleaning the windows up a ladder of their building. She asked a few questions and quickly realised that it was one and the same. She immediately telephoned the DWP and reported what she had seen.
Whilst she had done a good job in helping him claim DLA, she wasn't aware that he was not entitled to it.

I have to admit, we were shocked when my dd was awarded DLA HRM and LRC. We were expecting a refusal, but that's not because she didn't deserve it, but because she had been found fit for work by ATOS just a few months before. And we were surprised again when she reapplied for ESA and was put straight into support group. Sometimes it's just a difference of medical opinion.

I'm glad the person reported the fraudulent claimant to the authorities, no one likes people getting it who don't deserve it.

helentay_2

Horseunderwater wrote: »

Good god - you do hear some awful situations arising on these forums. But at least your Aunt got it in the end.

But what would have happened if they hadn't have contacted the DWP like many don't - they just accept their word for it?

Nothing that the DWP does surprises me anymore. I have known them to lie and even tamper with evidence (commonly known as file/window dressing) - making a file look as though something had been done but hadn't due to negligence - I call it fabrication! They were found out and banged to rights on that one - but they never apologised - they argued right to the bitter end until it was proven that the serial number on the letter meant that it could not have been printed years earlier!

That was a case where the DWP insisted that a decision letter had been sent but not received. By the time the claimant got round to pushing the matter, he was over the 13 month deadline for an appeal. The only thing that the DWP did wrong was not to send the notice out, but they compounded their error by putting a copy of the 'original' notice in the file purporting that it was printed and posted nearly 15 months earlier! They were found out because of a serial number on the letter that meant that it could not have been printed when they said it was. This was pre computerisation when the old traditional files existed and the file jacket had to be noted as to the actions taken.

helentay_2

mazza111 wrote: »

I have to admit, we were shocked when my dd was awarded DLA HRM and LRC. We were expecting a refusal, but that's not because she didn't deserve it, but because she had been found fit for work by ATOS just a few months before. And we were surprised again when she reapplied for ESA and was put straight into support group. Sometimes it's just a difference of medical opinion.

I'm glad the person reported the fraudulent claimant to the authorities, no one likes people getting it who don't deserve it.

I read elsewhere a while back that someone who had been on ESA for the maximum of 3 years in the Support Group, and also had a DLA award of HRM & HRC was found fit for work after an ESA review. Apparently they had no advisor and accepted the decision at face value and ended up claiming JSA. They had an awful time of it and eventually ended up with sanction after sanction and no money. It nearly pushed the girl to suicide.

d123

Reading the OP, it's a pity they didn't ask for advice before asking for a reassessment, by their own description the lady wouldn't qualify for HRM.

She would have been safe from ATOS until at least 2015 with her indefinite award. She admitted to being able to walk on some days and even demonstrated walking to the ATOS spy.

Sometimes people should be satisfied with what they get, for most conventional "age related" disabilities HRC LRM would seem a fair award.

For the disability test for the higher rate DLA mobility component you must satisfy one of the following conditions:

be unable to walk

be virtually unable to walk

the exertion required to walk would constitute a danger to your life or would be likely to lead to a serious deterioration in your health

have had both legs amputated (or missing from birth) at or above the ankle

qualify for the highest rate of DLA care component, be severely mentally impaired and show disruptive behaviour.

have a severe visual impairment

be both blind and deaf and need the assistance of another person to walk out of doors.

SandraScarlett

d123 wrote: »

Reading the OP, it's a pity they didn't ask for advice before asking for a reassessment, by their own description the lady wouldn't qualify for HRM.

She would have been safe from ATOS until at least 2015 with her indefinite award. She admitted to being able to walk on some days and even demonstrated walking to the ATOS spy.

Sometimes people should be satisfied with what they get, for most conventional "age related" disabilities HRC LRM would seem a fair award.

Well these are my sentiments too, but as I've said, I can understand if her HRM was refused, but to cancel everything else as well?

Also, I offer to help on form filling and letter writing, but I can only go by the facts I'm given. Mind you, I'm seriously thinking of asking anyone else who requests my help, if they could seek advice from the CAB first!

xx

SandraScarlett

BobQ wrote: »

A very disturbing story. The people processing these claims cannot be trusted to do things properly. My aunt applied for AA last year, it was refused based on the form alone a decision they confirmed on the phone. She then wrote for more informataion and got a call saying that they had discovered that the wrong decision had been entered into the computer, The original claim had been approved.

This is dreadful, and I think a similar thing has happened with Marion, who can't grip a knife to prepare food, and yet part of one of the letters say "you can prepare a meal for yourself".

Her forms have been pointing out for years that she can't, and the ATOS doctor specifically asked about this. Her husband said that he cooks and cuts up all her food. I think her worst problem at the moment, is that her DLA, due in her account this week, won't be there.

xx