Severe social anxiety - can't go to ATOS assessment

thoughtsoflife

I think I've received DLA and ESA for three or four years, and have never had to have an ATOS assessment, just written in forms etc. I have severe, really severe social anxiety, I don't go out, I don't talk on the phone etc. Haven't for years. I found out a few months ago that they want to move me to PIP and my mother spoke on the phone to a guy from the DWP and if I would of spoken on the phone then, apparently he could have just moved me on to it but because of Social Anxiety I couldn't speak to him and instead a long form was sent out and sent back which contained info about my problems etc, but apparently now that isn't enough and I would need an ATOS assessment. I haven't seen my GP for years, but my mother has gone to the doctor on occasions and has discussed my OCD etc. and I think it was actually the GP that helped me get on to DLA in the first place and knows a lot about my problems through my Mother.

The thought of an ATOS assessment has literally left me feeling physically ill after crying so much. I'd even rather talk on the phone than have to meet somebody. I have read of a few people that haven't had to have an ATOS assessment. Would it be possible for my Mother to be able to go the GP and discuss the severity of my problems and the GP to be able to pressure ATOS, write a letter / speak to them, or to DWP, so that I could speak on the phone instead, even though that would be incredibly difficult, because my social anxiety is so severe I don't see how I could possibly meet somebody for a medical assessment.

I don't want a disability benefit long term, but I need it for time being because I really am ill.

GlasweJen

Everyone has to fill in the PIP form, the phone call isn't enough under any circumstances. If you filled in a form and had a visit your mum could be an appointee and they would always speak to her instead of you.

As for the assessment, they do these where they want more evidence. A letter from your GP could help but it might just change the venue from a test centre to your own home, is that something you could cope with?

brokennotbent

Folllowing

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

If you are unable to engage with the assessor at either a centre or at home I would argue a case for the 8 point descriptor under Engaging With people where you are "unable to do so due to it causing overwhelming psychological distress".

WeAreGhosts

Yes, an assessment can be scrapped, it happened to me! Not because I couldn't get to the assessment, but because the centre messed me around three times and then I said there's no way I was going to go a fourth time as it was making my illness worse.

They agreed to speak to my GP instead and he assured them about my claim and added in his thoughts. This worked for me and I was put in the support group without an assessment.

Have you tried writing a letter to your GP telling him/her about your current problems? At the end of the letter tell the GP that you are appointing your mother to speak on your behalf. The DWP will probably want clear indication that your mother is allowed to speak to the GP for you.

Poppie68

WeAreGhosts wrote: »

Yes, an assessment can be scrapped, it happened to me! Not because I couldn't get to the assessment, but because the centre messed me around three times and then I said there's no way I was going to go a fourth time as it was making my illness worse.

They agreed to speak to my GP instead and he assured them about my claim and added in his thoughts. This worked for me and I was put in the support group without an assessment.

Have you tried writing a letter to your GP telling him/her about your current problems? At the end of the letter tell the GP that you are appointing your mother to speak on your behalf. The DWP will probably want clear indication that your mother is allowed to speak to the GP for you.

Your claim was for ESA, the op is talking about an assessment for changing from DLA to PIP.....While similar to a degree the criteria is different.