Is this usual (re DLA claim)

spikeripley

Please bare with me long post. I applied for DLA back in May. Beginning of June they wrote to me saying there would be a delay as they were asking for a report from my consultant. I then got another letter soon after saying they were asking for one from my doctor as well. I phoned the DLA 2nd week of July to see how things were progressing, they told me they had received the report from my consultant in June but were waiting on a report from my doctor. I phoned my doctors and they said they had sent it back the 2nd of July but would send it again for me just to make sure. About a week into August I phoned the DLA and they said my claim had been sent to their own medical team/decision makers(?) on the 1st August as they had received no reports back from either my consultant or my doctor. I told her I had spoken to someone in June and they had confirmed they had received the consultants report in June, I also told her my doctor had sent their report twice. She gave me quite short shrift and said I just had to wait, end of conversation. Yesterday (23rd August) I received a letter from Atos saying a doctor would be visiting me on Tuesday( 27th) between 8 and 12am. Is this what usually happens? I cant help but think they were just delaying everything until they had an Atos doctor available to see me . Thanks for taking the time to read my long long post :A

Horseunderwater

To get DLA you need to satisfy DWP that you have ongoing mobility and or Care needs and the form has to be completed along those lines - it is not about any illness that you have, so that might be one possible exdplanation as to why you now have to have an ATOS HCP come out for a home visit. It can happen to anyone who applies. This was always a hard benefit to get.

[Deleted User]

I`m not sure i agree with the idea that "it was always a hard benefit to get",if the claim is done properly and the need proven then it isnt.
I would suggest OP that they are not satisfied with the information provided by either yourself and or the medics,that is why you will be visited at home to assess your needs.

mazza111

My dd had an ATOS doctor to come out to visit her on her first DLA application. Not surprising really as her doctor had put different bones/joints down from what she had problems with. For example, she had a spiral fracture of her right fibula, and her doc told them it was her left tibia.... So I think it depends on whether the doc/consultant report matches with your own. Obviously she had other problems too, but this is the one that springs to mind where it differed from what we told them.

[Deleted User]

When the ATOS doctor visits make absolutely sure you have someone with you, taking notes to act as a witness as to what is said and what happens during the visit.

I am afraid it is not unknown for ATOS doctors to lie, draw conclusions as if tests that weren't done had been done etc etc.

My now ex had a medical, the doctor totally ignored that he was in so much agony sweat was poring off him until I pointed this out to him and asked him to stop asking him to do things he couldn't do without extreme pain.

You can do this.

If you disagree with the doctors findings, remember that you can appeal. But you will need your witnesses notes to disagree with the doctors report.