On Pension Credit and called to Atos Medical Assessment!!

Trajan

Hi all

My dad is 63
My mum is 68 (On Paper)

They both started receiving pension credit last January 2014.
Both of them are on PIP.
My dad is registered legally blind.


My dad received a letter from Medical Services from DWP
asking him to attend for an assessment with a healthcare professional. (Atos)

This is how it goes

'We have been asked by DWP to carry out an assessment in relation to your benefit claim. We have arranged an appointment for you at ........'

Note: We didn't put in a benefit claim for anything recently.

I called the ATOS services they said it was for Employment and Support Allowance. I told them they receive Pension Credit and my dad is registered blind. They told me to contact DWP about.

I am unable to contact them today but can someone enlighten me on this issue?

Is this a processing error or do we really need to be seen by a healthcare professional?

DerbyDD

The reason may be that they are getting another benefit with a PC top up. A client called me today with the same issue. He was getting Severe Disablement Allowance with a PC top up and an ESA50 was sent to look at the SDA portion.

pmlindyloo

DerbyDD wrote: »

The reason may be that they are getting another benefit with a PC top up. A client called me today with the same issue. He was getting Severe Disablement Allowance with a PC top up and an ESA50 was sent to look at the SDA portion.

Good call

Perhaps the dad is claiming contribution based ESA with a PC 'top up'.

Trajan

NO. This year they received a letter saying that Income support would be stopped in January 6th and they would need apply for Pension Credit which they did. They received a letter of confirmation of the Pension Credit and there wasn't any mention of ESA. Neither did they apply for Severe disablement allowance.

Trajan

Can someone confirm if a couple are getting only Pension Credit should they be called for a medical assessment?

Indie_Kid

They won't be called.

nannytone_2

what do you mean that your mum is 68 ( on paper) she either is or she isnt!
when was she transferred to PIP?

jacques_chirac

Trajan wrote: »

NO.This year they received a letter saying that Income support would be stopped in January 6th and they would need apply for Pension Credit which they did. They received a letter of confirmation of the Pension Credit and there wasn't any mention of ESA. Neither did they apply for Severe disablement allowance.

He could well still have an active credits only claim. He can cancel this if he has sufficient NI Contributions for his pension.

For future reference, 'NO' is not a polite way to respond to someone that has offered you help.

nannytone_2

Indie_Kid wrote: »

They won't be called.

but theyre not only receiving pension vredit. the OP says they both receive PIP.
it may be to do with that

Indie_Kid

nannytone wrote: »

but theyre not only receiving pension vredit. the OP says they both receive PIP.
it may be to do with that

I am now confused. You can't receive PIP as a 68 year old - it was only introduced last year.

nannytone_2

Indie_Kid wrote: »

I am now confused. You can't receive PIP as a 68 year old - it was only introduced last year.

thays why im questioning it.
if they received DLA prior to retirement, then they would continue to do so.
but PIP transfers only started last year. and people already of retirement age didnt have to apply for PIP... they just stayed on DLA.
it seems that the OP doesnt really understand the benefits that his parents are receiving.... and that is why i asked