The extremely dreaded Atos Assessment

jacques_chirac

sniggings wrote: »

how can you say that when over 40% of decisions on ESA claims are wrong and over 800,000 cases are still waiting to be heard on appeal...that is hardly as you say, the vast majority run smoothly :eek:

Glad you seem to have got through the system ok but many out there do not.

40% of appeals are successful - that is completely different to 40% of decisions being wrong.

Indie_Kid

sniggings wrote: »

how can you say that when over 40% of decisions on ESA claims are wrong and over 800,000 cases are still waiting to be heard on appeal...that is hardly as you say, the vast majority run smoothly :eek:

Glad you seem to have got through the system ok but many out there do not.

And how many people have applied for ESA and have been successful? If you ignore the amount of time I had to wait to hear what was going on with my claim, I had no problems at all.

sniggings

sh1305 wrote: »

And how many people have applied for ESA and have been successful? If you ignore the amount of time I had to wait to hear what was going on with my claim, I had no problems at all.

so no problem if you discount not having any benefit to live on :rotfl:

fact is, no one know how an assessment will go, nannytone's went well by the sounds of it but this guy's didn't
http://www.mirror.co.uk/money/personal-finance/esa-disabled-betrayed-by-condems-government-1167661

Of course some will go smoothly but to claim that the vast majority will is overstating it just a bit.

The OP needs to know that there is a good chance it will not go smoothly and I would advise him to get help with his case as those that take advise before going on these assesments are more likely to pass.
over 200,000 appealed last year, 42% won, so hardly smooth is it.

Indie_Kid

sniggings wrote: »

so no problem if you discount not having any benefit to live on :rotfl:

eh? I had basic ESA and DLA to live on.

sniggings

sh1305 wrote: »

eh? I had basic ESA and DLA to live on.

DLA is a different assement, if you didn't have that then you would have been left with the the basic rate which is the same as JSA. or would have had to claim JSA , which can take weeks if they allow you on it, if they do not think you too ill/disabled.

The point you seem to be failing to get, just because you thought the process was OK, it doesn't go so well for others, to tell the OP for the vast majority it goes smoothly is not preparing the OP for how it might go.

The government claim figures from anywhere from 30-40% have been kick off ESA even tho the total amount claiming ESA in the last 5 years has all but not changed, what is happening is, they are rejoining the queue, waiting for appeals or on JSA when they shouldn't be, then getting sent back to ESA.

I believe in forewarning the OP not leading them into what could be a lions den unarmed

JasonBat

Just_About_60 wrote: »

OP.... how long was there between returning your ESA50 and getting your appointment for a medical?

It took about 2 months I think. I think they write to your GP first to obtain a report (as if my GP is an expert on my various ailments).

JasonBat

Just read about a case of a man who was in a coma and couldn't return his ESA50 (funny that). Wife appropriately liaised with the relevant parties but still no success.

Would post a link but still on spammer watch...

sniggings

Ask for an offical recording, if they say the machine is broke, record it yourself without telling them, also have someone withyou, they are less likely to lie, and yes they do lie, I have been through it.

Also be aware, they will trick you and make you think they are your best mate, they are not, everything they say and do, is to test you.

They will ask as you are walking in "did you find us ok" or " did you get here ok" answer yes to that and that goes down as "has no probelms getting out and about"

Understand what they need to hear from you and spell it out clearly word for word, do not leave room for them to put words in your mouth, if you think you should be in the support group, then read the descriptors and make it clear you fit them.

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/1353-support-group-descriptors

same for the working group.

Good luck

JasonBat

Thanks sniggings ol' chap.

They sound very sneaky indeed and it sounds like they are scrutinising you before you even enter the 'exam' room.

I'll give them a ring tomorrow and try arrange for some kind of audio recording. Failing that all I have is my mobile/smart phone to record the 'assessment' - probably not the best but I can't afford anything else living on peanuts.

skintmacflint

The 40% figure refers to sucess rate only of the % who appealed. Not the % of refused decisions overall.

About 2/3 or 66% of ESA of claims are awarded ESA first time.

Of those who fail the ESA system first time and go on to appeal , about 40% are successful. But that represents 40% of a figure of 34%.

So the overall ESA award failure figure is really about 15% or thereabouts.