AFTER ATOS is about collecting and accounting for the feedback and experience of those going through the Atos assessments as we believe everyone needs to be accounted for. For any one who wants any support or advice while doing so or with appeals or WCA work programmes please go to Advice and Forums page where you will find links to current forums and groups.
HAVE YOU HAD THE ATOS ESA ASSESSMENT?
LET YOUR EXPERIENCE BE KNOWN.
Take Our Survey
LET EVERYONE BE ACCOUNTED FOR.
See how we use the results
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See example below. Ongoing, rolling survey with ongoing rolling feedback results. As the government disabled assessments are on going and rolling and all need to be accounted for and their experience and affect on their lives known. User led, User created all is produced and created by original lone severe ill woman who believes if no one does it for us, we need to do it for ourselves.
DIY PROMOTIONAL LEAFLETS, CARDS & POSTERS
All results are published regularly, posted on website and Facebook and available in pdf, and sent to MPs, journalists and all who might be influential and concerned. All information and results belong to AFTR ATOS but are freely available to public and journalists to use as long as you reference it back AFTER ATOS.
Since 2008 800,000 people have been assessed per year. People who are registered or recognised as having a disability or illness or mental illness. None of these people have been accounted for. Let this not continue and be stopped now. Let all those going through Atos assessments and the government’s Welfare Reforms and Work Programmes be accounted for.
Yours
Aunty Admin
AFTER ATOS
Counting the Disabled Back In – Because People Matter
Hi have recently been doing the welfare rights, training and this has been knowledge based and working practice has been confirmed.
As you may be aware, at assessments a score of 15 must be reached via pytsical disabilities or mental health. If these aren,t reached ATOS claim you are fit for work.
Under Regulation 29 of Empoyment supplement allowance, if one is cleared for work, although the impairment can bring danger to oneself or work colleagues one could sue.
This is a very relevant part of LAW and if ATOS ignore the facts and professionals medical advice, then something does happen. LEGA ADVICE should be sought. How HOW DOES saying go, “been injured at work, someone to blame”, this would make goverment relook at their back to work policy.
I REPEAT REG29 esa REGULATION PG( 186 AND 172) in the Child poverty action group welfare rights book 2011.
Hello Tony,
I am sure everyone needs to know this what you are saying. As the Gov have removed the legal aid for people to get assistance to fight their right to benefit, the forum highlighted below, is trying to get legal representation for the sick and disabled by raising money. funds.http://dwpexaminations.blacktrianglecampaign.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2188&p=16776#p16776
All we are asking is to have enough pledges of whatever people can afford, (maybe a small 50p per week would suffice or a lump sum as and when they are able). If we get strong indications of support; enough to make it viable, then legal representation will be bought to represent all of us sick and disabled. It is imperative we try to do this as it may be our only hope to protect ours and the income of others, many cannot fight for themselves. I hope everyone who reads this; offers their support.
This test they are using has already been invalidated by professionals and they continue in collusion to defraud using this bogus software that was specifically written to award in their favor. This is known in law as pecuniary deception in order to obtain advantage,fraudulent contract, collusion to defraud, breach of duty of care, malfeasance, breach of public trust. They also do the assessments without the claimants case file resulting in judgments made without full discovery and disclosure. Their doctors are generally foreigners, who are from racists groups(Indians – who never employ other ethnic groups within their communities) who bare a grudge,bigotry and biased, that rape this land like locusts, and are motivated by £300 (on the net)for pecuniary advantage over truth & honesty. This make them guilty of collusion by vicarious liability and liable for damages caused to others of harm and loss under the common law for engaging and supporting fraudulent claims using bogus software to intimidate and defraud others.
If a case has been established over numerous years, and a bogus doctor comes along to make an assessment without the whole case file under a short interview then this is 100% fraud! and the ATOS Directors will be called to account very soon in the court rooms for knowingly sustaining such a fraud.
I was retired from work by an NHS occupational health doctor a few years ago. Now I am hounded every year to go to these interviews. I have avoided going to them so far by getting a letter of support from my doctor. But I still get hounded every year by Atos and threats to cut my benifit. When my nerves get bad I can’t eat and I end up anorexic. The constant harassment from Atos is making me that ill with worry I’m considering asking the doctor for a higher dosage of antidepressants to help with my eating as I also suffer with terrible IBS. We should not have to prove we are ill when a NHS occupational health doctor has signed us off. I am 54 years old and I dread being hounded for the rest of my life by Atos until I am 70… that’s if I live that long.
When i was born in 1953 i had cerebral palsy. after my ATOS assesment i was cured. HOW?
Welcome to Atos Miracles. https://www.facebook.com/pages/ATOS-Miracles/259364897425986
This is a ridiculous system, there is no way I can work but they only gave me 12 points out of 15, I have just looked at the official handbook for the criteria they use and it seems flawed to me. Although it asks about typing which I can do for a short time, there is no account taken of the pain this causes and likely further joint damage as I have arthritis.
Hi Gary, Appreciate the comment. Yes it is all ridiculous and opposes and is contrary to every human right or compassion or any human reason at all. Have a look at what advice forums such as abcofesa.co.uk and others such as dwpexamination can do. I am sorry the feedback form is long. It purposely covers everything that needs to be asked, including those questions which I anticipate being used to oppose what people write. It follows the format or a professional survey or assessment that a nurse or social worker would do which would be a proper assessment and evaluation and an evaluation of what happened next and how the assessment and its decision affected you. Keep a diary and all correspondence and a timeline of when things happen such as assessment and taking off benefits or attending WCA work programme and how treated. This is history and an abusive time in history, every witness and testament is needed until it stops. I understand whiplash, people think it is nothing. so I take a twig and whip snap it till it breaks or snaps and then say “That is whiplash to someone’s spine or central nerve column within the spine. Not nothing. AA
You need to look at sec 27 part 5 of the 2008 regs at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/794/contents/made
You will see a complex worded but simple getout…..any problem associated with typing for instance is validated because if you have a problem at the beginning of a day or later in the day, it should be treated as lasting for the whole day. It does not matter if you can do it at some time. Only that it is not prevented by illness later in the day. Perhaps we should be reminding The assessors with a copy of the regulation. I would argue that most of us have only one real reason for not attending the hypothetical workplace and that is pain, mental illness, or physical disability would make us unreliable and therefore not employable reliably for even part of a day because we could not assure employers that we could properly work for even that part of a day. It is not a case of someone with a bad back switching jobs from lifting to typing as our idiot government thinks. If only it was that simple.
Hi Clive.
My Mum’ s Alzheimers was recently cured with the medical ink contained within the holy sanctum of the NHS bic biro. My researches show that the care home resident robbery imposed by the NHS by the reclassification of just who ill people are was the test bed for the current problems we are having. Now they are coming after me. And others like us.
When ATOS Doctors knowingly returns ppl back to work when they can harm them self or others in the work place,are the in breach of ther code of conduct? of First do no harm. if that is true then can they be sued by law?
I am deaf I can hear to a point with hearing aids but I still stuggle both using phones and speaking face to face. I’ve tried working and I can’t do it. But when I did the ATos thing I expected to get some points, parhaps not 15 points. They gave me nothing now I live off less than £20 disability. I can’t sign on as I am not even able to look for work. If they do the same with disability I’m in a real bad way.
Hi Maria, you should appeal the decision.You would then be paid the ESA at lower rate for duration of appeal.You should also look for local disability representation in readiness for tribunal.
You might also like to know that locally to me ESA decisions are being overturned by JSA staff upon initial back to work interviews when claiming JSA so you may find that if you claim JSA, they’ll take one look and realise you shouldn’t be there and back to ESA you go.
ESA sent me for a medical last march, i suffer from pkd, had a letter from my gp confirming that back by 2 neuro doctors, atos found me fit 4 work, i spent from march til january this year on just my 20 pound a week disability, dwp sent a letter to my mp and myself ‘they may have made a mistake’ didnt bring back christmas, cure my debt, or get the bailiffs off my back
You are in a place that many people are. I have contacted unions and local groups and interest groups and asked that they get out of the mere political approach of opposition and find ways to help and support people. Most people are not thinking this way. Thank you for comment. There are some great forums and fellow disabled groups around please see links for groups and forums, you may find help and fellow minds and sufferers there.
Aunty Admin
I failed my October 2011 medical .i wasn’t informed about it -found out on December 12th from a letter i received from my local housing authority benefits office asking why i hadn’t told them my benefits had stopped on the 6th December ! A wonderful Christmas present to find out you are flat broke ! .Contacted ESA and apparently they ‘forgot’ to send me the required letter about the decision -as of today ,8th January, i still haven’t received it! So have no idea why i passed the previous medical i attended but now I’m sicker i failed this one.! so i went to the job center to sign up for JS A as ESA told me it was my only option. . Job center refused to sign me up as i have a doctors certificate through to march 2012 exempting me from working in any capacity and being as i am unemployable because i am a danger to any one i work with.The doctor at the assessment knew both oft these things but presumably ignored it.
Is the government aware that the JSA is not payable to anyone the job center decides is to sick to work?
So being i am to ‘well’ for sickness benefit and ‘to ill ‘JSA i have had no income for a month and no idea when or indeed if I’ll ever have any money coming in. I’ve applied for the decision to be re-looked at .that was around 3 weeks ago but no reply yet-probably because of the Christmas and new year holidays. My change of income has caused my rent and council tax benefits to stop-so council want nearly £200 rent-NOW .So i am faced with losing my flat and if I cant find a friend to stay with its the street’s for me! I’ve had to give away my dog as i cant feed her and i have empty food cupboards . I’m trying for a crisis loan but probably wont get it as i have no income to pay it back.
And i know I’m not the only person in this situation- and its getting worse as ATOs goes after those bonus they make by denying more and more sick people sickness benefit ,people who are unable to claim JSA
Before ESA there was income support for people like me but thats gone! Maybe thats the answer bring back IS to at least let people whose only crime is being ill have some income so they can survive until they get things sorted out
So what I do? kill myself before I starve,beg on the street corners,steal food to survive ? or try to get arrested so i can go to prison where I will warm and fed!
.Or maybe the government should build workhouses for us! .
You need to reclaim ESA until appeal goes ahead.
I hope this is sorted for you, Matthew, by now.
What they want is that you claim JSA.
But you are entitled to appeal, and to receive ESA (lower rate) WHILE you are appealing.
Everyone, I know we have enough to be dealing with, but PLEASE fight for your rights, and do not let Atos or the DWP win.
dear friend myheart goes out to you work house is right i am in asamemess pray yougetesa sorterd or go togptellthem you arein amental crisssis that willhelp
I had a medical in 2009 and it was a joke, it was under 5 minutes long, I wasn’t asked a single relevant question and I was awarded 3 points, so I got hold of the report and discovered it was totally fraudulent, so I appealed and won. I then lodged a complaint with both ATOS and the DWP, they both rejected my complaint.
Today I had another medical with ATOS and again it was a total joke but this time I secretly audio recorded the medical, I await my letter telling me I failed, I will then get hold of the report and if it’s another fraudulent one I’m going to send the recording and report to my MP, a couple of newspapers and I’m also thinking the police as fraud is a criminal matter, I will report back when I know more.
Derf
Hi Derf
All the best and will keep fingers crossed for you!
Good luck. We need people to fight back.
good one
I was signed off with ptsd for 8 years. In that time I received no nhs help and was put through 6 tribunals until finally they had exacerbated my symptoms so much that I went onto a lower benefit so I could take the pressure off. Every time I had a tribunal coming up I would drop half a stone and start having panic attacks. to collect a giro. When I was pregnant they stopped my benefits due to failed medical despite a letter from a midwife saying I was high risk for pre eclampsia and needed total bed rest. I was very ill and they wouldn’t issue even a milk token. I told them I was pregnant and they demanded I travel 2 miles from my home. I had to walk and I was weak from not having money to eat. This sent me into shock and my anlkes and hands swelled up and I was rushed to hospital. I gave birth to my baby 3 weeks early and she weighed only 4lbs. This was purely caused by stress, intentional emotional pressure from The Job centre. I nearly bled to death and my family were told I might die that evening. I had to take her in a carry cot 3 weeks later to yet another medical where i was asked by a panel of 3 men about my childhood abuse-again, I had been asking for counseling for years at this point but none was given. :( So then I’m on income support and get better (no triggering medicals and tribunals) and working links pressured me into a job WORKING WITH HIGH RISK OFFENDERS! They lied to me about what the job was and needless to say I had a breakdown.When I questioned whether it was wise to put a woman with ptsd who hasn’t worked for 8 years in such a job they blatantly lied about what my role would be. After 10 months I was signed off with stress and 2 months later someone broke into my home and raped me. I just went through a trial and they sent me a medical apt the day after I gave evidence despite me writing to them to ask to be left alone at least until after the trial. I have new apt coming up soon. They put us through absolute hell and do all possible to keep us in the gutter and stigmatise us. I have been sexually harrassed at the j.c and complained along with 4 other women about the lone parent advisor, he still works there.
Ok. I appreciate and have a lot of respect for you. I have got your comment and how you feel. You are not the only one and many of our respondents feel the same and have been treated the same way. I am sorry for all you have suffered and going through. It is a mess, there is the original crime and assault and this on top. I hope you are OK without that sounding glib. There are people who feel exactly the same. My thoughts and feelings are with you. Thanks for sharing.
Xxx Aunty Admin.
Hey,
I am so sorry they have done this to you – no one should ever live through the trauma of abuse, and then the retraumatisation and re-abuse by these complete *******. No one should be put through that.
please please document all this, and, if you feel able to, and want to, sue them for the damage they have done to you. if you do, i hope that you get compensation that will set you up for life, so you never have to go through this horrific revolving door again.
i don’t know if it would be of any use, but rape crisis, women’s aid and a few other places can offer counselling. I know places like the bristol crisis service for women, and the rape and sexual violence project (0121 236 5763) can allow you to speak with a telephone support worker for an unlimited time (years in some cases). It’s not counselling, but most of the workers are trainee counsellors. They’re also experienced in working with sadistic abuse survivors and people with dissociative identity disorder.
best wishes.
Thank Vanilla, Yes we have abuse victims and survivors who are going through this on top of their abuse and dealing with it. Atos opens and re-opens the wounds and in the come up to an Atos assessment a survivor can be made to have to repeat their history over and over again up to 20 times one person said. Then they will be again assessed 3 months later. They are very brave and many have gone on to be active and protesting and some via AA have gone on to offer their witness and experience to a legal case going through about Atos and mental health. They are dear dear people. But some have been worn down and the fact is that the bi-polar and survivors rate of suicide has gone up dramatically.
I have heard of Bristol work and actually used the Basement Project work in passing on their books to survivors and self harmers. They were very good. At this time rescue services and counselling and support can only do so much. The aim must be to the core of this abuse. Please find out and educate yourself as much as possible as to the Atos and ESA and the whole political thing and be active in addressing it and stopping it. then we can return to normal and even start putting in the support and responses that people do need.
We must have confidence and we must have hope. and one thing – WE ARE BETTER! by the fact if staying human. But it needs more, an axe to the root.
AFTER ATOS works to get the feedback in so we get the overall response and results which are posted and sent out. There is not one politician or newspaper or news channel who has not received it. The accounting of all the disabled is a must. ALL SHOULD BE ACCOUNTED FOR. NOT ONE LOST. and if you want to try and get involved and network locally After Atos is on Facebook and also split up into regional groups. Wish this would take off and people while posting back the national results learn to look after each other meanwhile and find out own resources.
Yours
Aunty Admin.
Been a rough year – must sit down and tell you about it sometime. In the chronnicles of the future where these battles will be talked about.
Also I have been told to Fuck off and had the phone put down on me by esa office when asking to speak to a female. I have been told to shut up and just been hung up on because they couldn’t or wouldn’t answer my questions. The treatment by esa and atos has made me feel worse than being raped. They made me feel small and worthless and suicidal at times. I was a victim of a serious crime and the message i got loud and clear was you are of no value and we don’t feel you deserve to exist let alone be helped in any way. couple that with reading about benefit scroungers and frauds constantly. i would like to see anyone be through what I have and raise a child and hold down a job. Sorry but right now I am a soldier just to be carrying on and giving my daughter love and stability. I have felt like giving up so many times and they kick you when you are down through no fault of your own. Just another form of victim blaming which the Gov says they are against?
PLEASE HELP – yesterday I got a letter from Jobcentre telling me my IB had been stopped because I failed to attend my medical. What actually happened was this:
My GP requested a home visit for my IB migration to ESA medical back in August 2011, my husband was then told by Atos they would be in touch – we heard nothing more after that.
Then 2 weeks ago a strange man showed up on my doorstep, he said he was a doctor from Atos to do my medical. But he showed NO ID. I said I knew nothing about this medical, he was very rude & intimidating & asked me if I was “going to perform or not”. I was crying saying who are you & I know nothing about this, He went away but parked up outside my house in his massive 4×4 with blacked out windows, & watched my house for 20 minutes or more. I was hysterical inside, & on the phone to my husband who got straight on to Atos to complain. They said they sent us an appointment letter in December – which we never got.
We wrote them a complaint letter sent 1st class recorded post, & received one back from a Customer Relations Manager saying they acknowledged our complaint, & would be formally investigating what had happened.
Then yesterday out of the blue I get this letter from Jobcentre. They were told by Atos I failed to attend my medical so my benefit has now been stopped!
Can they do this? Even though Atos are supposed to be investigating our complaint? Jobcentre have been given incorrect information by Atos & have therefore made a decision based on false information. What on earth can I do?
I am so shocked & upset I just don’t know what to do. Do I have to go through the appeal process now? Do I need to make a new claim for ESA now in the meantime? Or can Atos get this decision reversed??
Dear Bea,
The place to go in regard to finding the right help and right advise is post this on Ben E Fit’s forum and find her on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001203433365 post what you posted on any of the forums you find under HELP!! Forums and advice sites and post it in Facebook pages Social Welfare Advocacy and Bufferzone and many others. There is help and support out there and some fine people who can support you both personally and with your problem. Good Luck. Give me a reply that you got this. AA Admin. and try and stay calm and stable. Nothing you are not in that no one else has been in before. I am going to post your post around and see what comes back.
I have searched about and found this from the dwpexamination blog site. You must appeal the decision and start doing that tomorrow first thing. Phone up, ask about their process of appealing against the Deision Maker’s decision. Over the phone you do not have to explain your condition or reasons. or only explain them briefly. That way you do not get into an argument or uncomfortable conversation which may upset you further is they have one which opposes you or causes you to doubt.
Get in touch with you own Benefit Rights Advocate. I assume you may have been in contact with one already. Stay calm. This kind of thing is very very usual and done to put you in a disadvantaged position and make you incapable by putting you off. Stay calm. You are going to have to go through the same hoops as many. You are not alone. Stay calm. and know you are in good company and a team of fellow people who have already gone through it. As I advised go onto the active advice sites and look up appeals against decision. Xxx Aunty Admin:
Hello All
I had your link sent by a friend. Although I have not yet had the form. In 2007 I had a Subarachnoid Haemorrhage A subarachnoid haemorrhage is an uncommon cause of a stroke where blood leaks out of blood vessels over the surface of the brain.
I have had further operations to prevent it from happening again. I have damaged parts of my memory and lost control of some movement. I am going to need some help when my time come’s
Regards
John
Hi John. I hope I can help. At least try and guide you to the right place. I am afraid stroke people are not and have not been exempt. Had my own experiences and my brain does not work at times, or I can see the destination but cannot always get there except by an interesting route. I hope you have your own stroke support group. But as for online help and guidance. A lovely lady calling herself Miss Ben E Fit is a good place to start with many people who have gone through it before. Here is the link. https://www.facebook.com/ABCofESA and her website and forum: I have just had a quick search of her site and Subarachnoid Haemorrhage is still one which is not wholey exempt but which is “tentatively” called to assessment. But with those who are wholey exempt being called I think it is a matter of being prepared, but not being afraid. Everyone is working hard to get it known how incompetent and unprofessional these assessments are. You are among goo friend and people on a journey through rough seas together. http://www.abcofesa.co.uk/board/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=10&p=14&hilit=stroke#p14.
people have understand these assessments are basically bogus, any problem you don’t have will be reported accurately any that you do will be trivialized or omitted, it is a scandal far bigger the MP’s expenses yet is being covered up, atos are crooks, 390,000 appeals so far!
Thanks for the number of appeals. is that won? I am sure more have gone for appeal given over 1.8 million have been assessed, and these have repeated assessments over and over again. It was recognised and illegal and degrading for people to go through scrutiny and constant checks with the social groups and Jews during the holocaust and the constant checks for racial purity during the apartheid regime. Thanks. Those who are in and involved are aware it is just when you go outside and into the normal world you realise how many people do not know, are taking the government and media line and really have not got a clue as to what will now happen should they ever get ill.
Thanks
Aunty Admin
390,000 appeals for the period up to the end of 2011 over 40% won in 2010 up to 46% in 2011 figures from the freedom of information act quoted in The Guardian
i won my tribunal on 7 march, and 7 days later i got a letter to attend the job centure and a date for an ATOS revieue in june. i dont think ill have had my mony back by then.
when I attended my assessment, one of the security staff who took to the waiting room said “these things (the assessments) are awful, but it’s not my fault” I took that to mean the staff are afraid of us “customers” getting angry and violent towards them
I should start by saying that in the old test where we where required to score 16 to 18 points, they scored me 183. Therefore one would assume that would firmly place me in paperwork to support group. Instead I was sent an ESA50 (due to the nature of my disability I could not complete the form (ATOS refused to comply with Chapter 50 pargraph 21 of the Disability Discrimination Act). After numerous calls to the DWP they took the details for the ESA50 over the phone. Instead of sending it to me to sign, they sent it directly to ATOS, now as some investigation has shown (more about that here http://r-force.org/?p=226 ) ATOS where not assessing the ESA50, they just put it directly on the database and called me. I should mention my claim extends from 1998 and I have never signed a Data Protection Act waiver. Thus ATOS as a third party company should never have had access to my records. They phoned me about an apointment at which point I challenged them under the DPA. 28 phones calls later (day before the apointment that they forced upon me),A customer relations advisor called me and was extremely abusive, she flatly refused to suspend the apointment (although this was in violation of Statutory Complaints Procedure), So I had to call the telephony team and get them to set it back to the 9/3/2012. On the following monday the ATOS Customer Relations Team Leader called me, she copied down the complaints, confirmed she would suspend the appointment, then sent the copy to my to sign (which I returned), Since then Customer Relations has not been answering their phone or responding to their voice mails. On the 8/3/2012 I got a phone call from ATOS’s local (so called) medical centre, relating to a cancelation and did I want to move my appointment up. I explained to them the entire situation to which she responded, “well obviously you wont be attending as the appointment shouldn’t be still in place’, “I will put a note on the system so that it does not flag up a BF223(ESA) ‘failure to attend’. Meanwhile on the 12/03/2012 I contacted the DWP and reaffirmed my refusal under the Data Protection Act for my information to be shared with third party companies without my approval, 2 days later I recieved a BF223(ESA) from ATOS. Interestingly according to the post office frank it had been posted on the 8/3/2012, a full 24 hours before the appointment was even due to take place, yet the BF223(ESA) itself is dated the 13/3/2012 ? Obviously I contacted the DWP ESA Transition team, who said that they had not recieved anything from ATOS yet, meanwhile I managed to get a member of ATOS staff to disclose the telephone number of the senior manager at ATOS’s paperwork office in Croyden, She confirmed that the DWP where sent the paperwork and it should have been recieved on the 19/03/2012. During all this time I was in continual contact with the DWP ESA Transition Team. So they where more than aware that they should not be processing the documents from ATOS. Yet on the 21/03/2012 carried out a decision to wipe my IB paid as income support on the basis that I had not attended the appointment on the 9/03/2012 (This was an unamed/unsigned notification). I spoke to an ESA transition team line supervisor who is also a qualified decision maker,on the 22/03/2012. He confirmed (on audio recording)that the decision maker could not make this finding as ATOS could not legally have my information in the first place. I will find out tommorrow it they will even look at the evidence. Basically because of the whole DPA issue, the DWP have a choice, to carry out a paperwork decision or seek another 3rd party (genuine medical assessor) which meets my approval. On another note, the automatic termination of IB,IS or IB paid as IS is not actually legal as it does not meet the requirements of notification. Should the appointment been legal (which it wasn’t) legally they are allowed to sanction, but whilst ESA is still in the assessment phase IB, IS and IB paid as IS still exist, therefore under existing rules which still apply to those benefits, they must prove non entitlement (failing to attend an examination is not proof, but is sanctionable). Basically their current action is illegal. It does not take genius to work out that if they had migrated existing claimants to ESA support group, then carried out the assessments as per normal management reviews, if they then had evidence to show work capability then they could change group or exit to other benefits such as JSA. The current approach leaves the DWP/Government wide open to legal action under various articles of the Human Rights Act. As well as issues of knowingly entering falsified information on Government forms, which is an act of Treason under the Parliament Act.
Absolulelty. Atos by passes so many of our statutory and legal rights. It just runs roughshod through them. But this is a longer and bigger poker game and strategy. Atos parent partner company is UNUM insurance. Its aim is to undermine and destroy the welfare systems of the countries that have them and either persuade govts for them to manage them for them, with their insurance skills or denying disability and liability and passing the buck and redefining and reinterpreting the terms. They have aimed and successfully put their UNUM advisers on to so many government departments and in every party it is impossible to move without bumping into one. There is a lot of long term drawn out strategic planning about this. This is where countries and their welfare and their people are sacrificed on corporate greed and survival and govts are persuaded to farm out their infrastructure and its people for management by others. So the govt is no longer responsible for the welfare and safety of its people. It is so dangerous no one is noticing the shift. In the NHS Bill the Secretary of State’s Duty and Responsibility for the welfare and health of the nation was removed. Such skullduggery.
Thank you for your contribution. Glad that we all so very much more informed and aware and intelligent than those who think they lead us and those who just follow and believe what the read. This calls not just for Opposition, but RESISTANCE.
Aunty Admin
My brother passed away 6 weeks ago due to having an aortic dissection brought on by high bp. He was 44 years old. He had aspergers. I attended his atos assessment with him just 4 days before his death. I have no doubt his bp was raised fatally due to his absolute terror at attending the assessment, dreading to hear the outcome that he may be deemed ‘fit for work’ and therefore receive an more paltry amount of benefit. He was already in debt and couldn’t bear the thought of having to live off even less money. I have phoned the incapacity benefit office twice to ask for copies of the original questionnaire we sent (I helped to write it), the meeting notes and the outcome. I have not received anything. Since his death, I have found out that he may not have had to attend at all-can someone definitively tell me whether this is true?
Hi Lynn, The exemption list of possible people who should be exempt or only invited to an assessment with caution is in Miss Ben E Fit’s site. http://thefullfacts.com/esa/forum/ who is wonderful. Here also is a Guide from Benefits and Work forum: http://afraser.com/welfare/understanding_ESA.pdf exemptions are on page 16. I have asked and requested information via the Freedom of Information Act http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/breakdown_of_types_of_illnesses and so have many others. FOI often argue that Atos is exempt from FOI and/or fudge the issue and response. The type and number of times they do this is being noted by others. As I got a nice supprtive response from Mr Taylor who also said this was being noted: Mr Taylor left an annotation (30 September 2011)
Thank you for the work you are doing June.
It is very important that questions such as this are asked, although we have learnt through experience that any tactics will be employed to avoid accepting responsibility. However, all this evidence is being put in the public domain, along with the evasive responses and this will act as evidence when these people are eventually brought to account to face the legal consequences of their actions.
It is all very difficult and fairness is not in it. Certain legal actions going through but would be good to get one action. To be honest working and communicating with lawyers and well meaning legal experts in last few years means they do not have a clue about disabilities and benefits and how it all fits in or not. They argue on some legal technical term and miss the overriding human principle. But AFTER ATOS feedback and results have been used by others and also respondents have been happy and willing to carry on and share their witness and experiences with others to try and take it forward and win the day for others and for all. Some really brave people out there and more determined and more able than any politician or Atos cleverclogs. Hard work and so many lost, suffering and under stress and of course that does no include all the family, friends and children left. I am sorry for your loss. So may sometimes in a few days. But we must go on not just for ourselves but for others and the future of the welfare of disabled and everyone in this country. as all will be sacrificed on the greedy guns of profit.
Aunty Admin
Thank you for the links-I have asked to join Miss Ben E Fit’s forum and will post my question. I wholeheartedly agree we must go for the future of all. Thank you. Lynn
I have just had my appointment come through so I contacted them and asked who would be doing this test because I know they will be asking me some personal questions so I wanted to know so I could check who the HCP was.this is the reply I got below. I am not happy about this since I would answer some of these questions to any tom dick or harry.
Thank you for your email.
I am unable to provide you with the name of the health care professional (HCP) who will be assessing you on the as all of the sessions are pooled, that is, the next available HCP will pick up the file for the next waiting customer. However, all of our HCPs are fully qualified Disability Analysts trained to conduct medical assessments for individuals claiming sickness benefit, whether they are Doctors or Nurses.
I hope that this is helpful,
regards,
Maggie
Customer Relations
Atos Healthcare
0113 2309175
Thank you Colin, I’d like to refer you too forums and facebook groups such as thefullfacts.com, benefitsandwork, and esa survial guide on facebook and steve preece. Miss ben e fit and ant lea of bufferzone. Some fantastic active forms and fb groups going on where you may often get an instant response and much support. Where we all like to kick ass on behalf of each other. Don’t worry about being perfect if you were perfect you could be an Atos assessor then you would be intolerable.
Xxx Aunty Admin
Don’t know how to edit the above. It should read
“Since I would not answer some of these questions to any tom dick or harry.”
Hi, I first claimed ESA in October 2011 after being made redundant whilst I was sick, I have only yesterday received a phone call from ATOS who have now arranged a medcical for me in Wrexham Consultant, I have been diagnosed with servere Osteo Artheritus, I have all cartidge on one side of my left knee, and have the artheritus eating away at the other side, I have limited movement in my knee and attend hospital 3 times aweek for hour long physio and hydro therapy session, it is very painful and uncomfortable, I have been on crutches for this since July 2011, all the stress of this has created problems with my bloodpressure and resulted in medication, The pain relief medication I take make me spaced out and sleepy, I am also under taking consultation from a pain management Specialist, after reading all the above I fear what the outcome of my assesmnet will be, I cannot functionwithout my crutches so how can they say i’m fit for work, I have worked all my life since I was 18 and am now 46, what is going on.
No 1. Do not fear. You are in good company. Go to http://thefullfacts.com/esa/forum/ and other forums and find help there. other places http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/ http://dwpexaminations.blacktrianglecampaign.org/phpBB3/ and say facebook are https://www.facebook.com/SocialWelfareAdvocacy?ref=ts https://www.facebook.com/groups/ESAsurvivalguide/
It is a terrible time. Keep a diary, maybe an online diary and if possible record your diary. Personal witness is most vital at this time and keep your testiment of Britain and its disabled.
Get in touch with your MP etc (they are not much cop but must keep rattling them) and join with others in your area and keep a pressure group up and constant witness and examples and proof of what is happening. You can always use any of the After Atos responses and results to back up your claim and experiences.
AA
I’m having the same problem with my left knee 2 operations walking with stick .limited movement told need a knee replacement sooner rather than later.
Atos gave me zero points tribunal believed them.
Statement of reason say’s i’m making this up to boost
claim for benefit .Going to appeal to upper tribunal
ROTTEN SODS! ROTTEN TO THE CORE. But at least you know you are not on your own and not going mad. Lots of good people about and good active forums. I have a links page to such as I cd never keep up. But may think of putting a forum in so you can talk and discuss with each other and share.
And another thing I encourage is to make a diary of all that is happening and a file of all correspondence. and if you can make a video diary of yourself, your condition and the significant dates in this journey. This is witness and this is evidence. If you want to put your vid witness on Youtube. AFTER ATOS has its own Youtube site and will put any personal witness videos up there.
Xxx Aunty Admin
Hi Aunty and other users,
I am a writer / blogger and I am trying to draw attention to a recent protest in Norwich against the accessibility of offices at Atos.
This seems to be unknown to people who have not come into contact with Atos, but they find it quite shocking. If anyone is able to provide their own experiences or point me to a forum where I can get in touch, I will try and get this in Private Eye, and also a few blogs such as Liberal Conspiracy or Guardian Comment is Free
Dear Guy.. All information on After Atos is free and all sent to politicians and journalists. Been active for over a year now and been very active. Lot of blocking and banning by media and a lot of pressure from above to shut the issue up.
Articles have already been in Private Eye – see under ABOUT – About Atos Private Eye. Done via M Piggot and other pieces and articles done by John Domokos and many others. And Liberal Conspiracy is on the job and Guardian (Spit) has partnered with Atos chief senior partner UNUM to sell its Personal Insurance yet has a lousy history of denying disabilities and has had for this single trick in US. Guardian said consistently they were not interested in getting the overall accountability in and suggested disabled learned to smile a but more as we were not PR attractive and learn the positiveness in being disabled or chronically in pain or dying. and when I objected and got a bit upset sent a message to my webmaster (thinking he was my keeper) to keep his disabled bitch on a leesh.
Lot of articles out, many read it then pass it over. Now you know how the holocaust happened by disinterest and a blacking in the media.
You can find information on here, if you want any aspect I can look it up for you but that would mean extra and as doing this alone as lone disabled I wd appreciate appreciation.
Other places to look for stories is A### the Truth and at http://victimsofatoscorruption.wordpress.com/ run by Paul Smith.
We have had coverage on Al Jazeera and ongoing kicks n starts. Disabled are still considered a third world race, somewhere over there but not really a part of our lives.
There are some great heroes who although ill and disabled support and work for the disabled by setting up forums and advice sites and being active while still being very ill. It would be great to get an article on the heroes of this hour. Myself would not mind a bit of publicity and a few others even those who have to be anonymous would be good people to cover.
Have a look around, all info is free, if you want me to look something up specifically I will but will charge you. Everyone using AA info and getting it would like some appreciation back. I have been on to unions today and will be kicking their butt.
And do not need another single article journalist or final year student looking on disabled as meat for their spot in the sun and the 2:ii. Everyone is sick of being on the end of personal seeking vultures as well as being sick or dying and losing the ones they love. Do what you will to raise the issue, but please give respect. And keep to our purpose.
Accounting for all the Disabled
A Yad Vashem was set up by the Jewish community to record the accounts of the survivors post holocaust and before they died and their stories and witness lost. AFTER ATOS seeks to have a living Yad Vashem of recording and accounting for all the disabled NOW as it happens and be able to record and publically testify to it happening.
You will find living testimonies in the website comments and in the feedback results.
Xxx Aunty Admin
I saw an obese,disabled man in a wheelchair, quite normal for nowadays, definitely the type of person and necessary equipment they should expect at Colchester Medical Centre – turned away, banging his foot painfully as his carers struggled to turn the chair in the narrow hallway. The place is not fit for purpose. I felt sorry for the carers who had probably worked hard to get him there on time, and for the man in his distress.
hi all i had my assement with these in dec 2011, they failed me i have joint hyper mobilty, suffer from depression, panic attacks, have sliped discs in my back and i am in pain all the time, because of them failing me i also lost my DLA claim as well.
they did not contact my GP OR ANY OF MY SPECAILISTS! they have made me feel like a lier and this has made my depression worse i can not leave my house now due to anixity attacks…… lucky i have my other half which is dealing with this but we seem to not be getting anywhere with them, i feel so lost
You are not lost, you are in the right place. Totally aware of what is happening, how it is affecting you and how it is affecting your life. Just because you do not feel in charge does not mean you have lost it. For any help and advice and support go to Miss Ben E Fit’s forum http://thefullfacts.com/esa/forum/ and any of the forums in the links page and find friends and fellow sufferers. Yes it is tough but they are weak and we are strong. You know why? Because the bully is always the weaker guy because he has to do all this because he has got nothing but himself and his ability to bully. He is a thug and we are always better than the thug. May have got you down, may have knocked you sideways but at the end of the day you are always better than him. Keep going and keep finding people who will support you. Some fantastic people out there. In fact, you are fantastic yourself, you just don’t know it. A lot of people who suffer from mental distress and depression and anxiety and panic attacks are some of the best people fighting this cause and getting better even though some days they might fall down. Through this we are gaining our muscle and growing strong arms and legs where we had none before. We are standing and we are getting stronger by virtue of the fight. So stay on in there and go and learn from the best – people like yourself.
Take care of yourself and be strong, and if you cannot be strong try the next best thing and laugh at them. They are nothing but school yard thugs who need to grow up.
Xxx Aunty Admin
Hi Rach,
I belong to a fb page JHSshhhhh, we are there to help and support JHM sufferes, you can say what you like and never be judged, we would love to have, even if you just want to rant, we are all JHMS ers. Come say Hello
I will be posting my story here soon, but you touched my heart so come see us
Caron x
Thank you JHSshhhh.
Xxx Aunty Admin
If a nurse or doctor undertakes an assessement, which is then overturned at appeal, then take a complaint to the NMC (nurses) GMC (doctors) and can’t remember re the physio’s, but they have a regulatory body, if you feel strong enough. Whilst incompetence may not be found for the individual nurse/doctor the regulatory bodies should be auditing for trends, and if a trend is found (which to my mind 3000 appeals upheld a month is!) then as they have a remit to safeguard health and wellbeing (NMC) and also actually to ensure the integrity of the profession is not undermined (which I feel it is by the high level of nurses who are incorrectly doing their “job”) and GMC has a remit to ensure good medical practice, then they should be doing something about it.
GOOD ADVICE. GMC and NMC say professionals working for Atos are not exempt from the Code of Practice and Duty of Care. you can find the way to make a complaint about the health professional from the GMC and NMC site and the association for physiotherapists site. The complaint procedure is there. You must complain to Atos and DWP about the professional but when it comes to professional practice it is the NMC and GMC that the practitioner is responsible too not DWP or Atos and Atos or DWP may pardon or cover over a practitioners practice, the GMC and NMC should not. Make a complaint using the criteria of the Code of Professional Conduct you will find in their sites and matching the behaviour with the part of the code they are breached.
Keep the pressure up and keep the facts going out and make a note of everyone and send it to your MP.
Xxx Aunty Admin
Hi I would like to share my opinion with atos, My mental health worker suggested I make a claim for esa Decemeber last year as my income support was stopping because my child was 7, I have severe mental health problems and anxiety, panic and depression I have been getting the assessment phase then I got a phone call about 3 weeks ago asking me to go for the medical assessment with atos ! And it made me a nervous wreck I have been barely eating or sleeping and my mood became so low I felt like just ending my life I have been that bad, My assessment was yesterday and my mental health worker took me as I can’t go out on my home own, I had an early appointment so the waiting room was fairly quiet and I was told they were running about 5 mins late, When my name got called and we got taking to the room the lady introduced herself and was very pleasent, She could see I was very nervous and was shaking and very anxious, She asked my if I was ok and told me I could stop the assessment at any time, Whe she started asking the questions she listened to what both me and mental health worker had to say, She even told us what she was typing in and asked if this was ok and told me it was important to give as much information as possible!! I became very upset and was crying as I am always like this so my mental health worker spoke for me and the lady was fine with this and when it finished she went over everything with us and apologised for the upset and stress it all caused me she rubbed my arm and told me to take care when I left, I must admit this was nothing like what I expected I have read so many stories about the way people are treated when they go for these assessments, And that it is all tick box questions and they do not take any notice of how you are feeling, Maybe I was just lucky, I kind of wish I never read up about it before I went as it made me so stressed, and it was nothing like what others were saying! So now I just need to wait and see the results if I do fail I will be appealing as I have great support from my doctor and mental health worker, If I could give one bit of advice to any one who has an assessment coming up please try not to worry and make yourself ill like I did as you might and hopefully get someone decent like I did :)
Take care of yourself and have good hope and courage. You are among many and the best thing is to make sure you are among many of the good people and on forums and social network sites where you can find help and support. Some of our most wonderful people and hard working people are some of the ones most disabled and affected and yet go on and stand up and fight with what they have got and help others. You are not the worse you are the best. Atos is the worse and you can never be as bad as them.
Xxx Aunty Admin
I have just sat here reading your stories to date, and thought I would write my story, I have taken my meds so I can sit here, well, slouch here and tell you my experience, it is not finished yet.
Just before christams 2011, my ESA form arrived, it took me a week to open it,when i did I didnt think it was so bad.
I use crutches and have done since 1999, but I now rarely go out coz myshoulders and wrists hurt from the crutches, so I use my wheelchair when bad.
I have Joint Hypermobility Syndrome, Sprained Sacriliac Joint, and Sciatica.
I have not worked since 1999, as I was a trained chef. Because I have had inncap since my boss sacked me (he couldnt afford to pay sick pay and a stand in). I thought very nievely that I would just fill out the form and be put straight onto ESA, thank god I spoke to fellow sufferes.
I phone the help number ontop of my form for help, did I need to put that I could walk 50 yards with crutches or not at all. They said fill it in as you live, so with crutches write under each question With crutches. So I filled it in, I sent an 11 page document on JHS, Scitica, S SIjoint. Just incase they needed to know about them.
I got a letter asking me to a medical, wasnt sure who of what it was at first!(daft I know)
On the back of the form was instructions to get there, walk 500 meters get on bus number so and so, get off walk again for half mile……….starnge. I phoned to say my hubby would be driving and could we park in their car park, I have a disabled badge, they had a huge car park, “no” you cant. We did find somewhere close by.
My hubby took me in my wheelchair, and I was asked to take evrything I used to help my disability, so I was armed with crutches, walker, my bag of books and stuff on my disabilits. We were lead down a very narrow passage, my hubby crashed me all over, was it any wonder, we had so much stuff, and noonne asked if we needed help. (after reading the above stories, I now think that the narrow passage was part of it).
The doctor told us her name and she was going to do my medical, I could hardly hear her, so I asked her to repeat herself, she did, I still didnt catch it all.
She asked me when I caught JHS, (your born with it) I explained about it and said I did send in the information on my ill health so you would be raedy for me. She said yes I read it……………..no she hadnt!
She asked what I did during the day, I explained I led a boring quiet life, my hubby or daughter will help me shower,before they leave for work, I go back to bed when they go, I dont sleep well coz of JHS, when I do get up I make hot drinks in the microwave, and can manage toast and sandwiches. Whoever comes home first starts dinner. I watch Tv, I read, and I colour, (used make cards )I go on facebook, ebay, just surf in general.
She asked me to raise my arms above my head, I can with 1 but not the other, and asked me to lift my legs.
That was it.
I asked who it was for DLA or Inncap?ESA She said she didnt know.
So if I didnt know, she didnt know, my hubby certainly didnt know, we were screwed!!
On the 4th april, a young lady called from ESA saying she was the person making THE decision on my ESA. She wanted a chat about my assesment, I asked if she had read the info on my illness, she said, I quote” it is not you health problems I need to know about, its what you are capable of” I did explain that not alot, I can barely look after myself, I cant do house work, I explained about my shoulders getting worse, I cant even fill a washing machine any more”
She said coz I could sit infront of a Tv or Computer I could sit at a desk, I said I cant even sit on a dinning chair, I have to sit ona soft surface with feet up,I sit slouched on my sofa, or lay in bed.
She said you sat in your wheelchair through out the assesment, I said I know, it lasted 10 mins, she said it was alot longer, only felt like 10 mins, I said you were not there.
She alo said if you can sit ina wheelchair and move one arm, I am able to sit in a factory and push a box across a table, so there for you can work.
I ask who would employ me with the meds that I take, and I would fall asleep across a table, and was in pain when ever I moved.
This is best reply “its not up to me to find you work, thats the jobcenters job, not mine”
MMMMMMMMMMMmmm what could I say for that?
I explained that I saw my GP once a frotnight for accupunture to help my sciatica, and she will abck me up with any help needed. She said if I could get a doctors letter to support me she would consider it, I told her who do I appeal, and she said, I havent made a decision yet. So she said I will phone you back in 2 weeks and see if you have got the info and I will send you an envelope to put it all in.
She told me I only scored 6, I needed 15, I explained I was on crutches, and had little movement coz of my deliberating conditions.
She phoned me back on 18th april, I told her I had put everything in the post. I asked her if she would send me a copy of my assesment please, So now I wait, she is going to phone me on the decision when she reviewed everything. I am not holding my breath, so I am collecting as much info as I can for when I appeal, I am happy to help anyway I can with my feloow sufferes.
The letter form my doc, said” if my ptient is forced to find work I will be exstremly concered for her delicate physical health, and fragile mental health etc…”
My doc said he will stand along side me at an appeal if needed.
If by pure miricle I dont need to appeal I am wanting to help others through this mine field.
A friend of mine and I have set up a facebook page ESA/DLA Help. Its not political, but its to share experiences and maybe help others as much as we can, and for others to put links to sites that might help.
JUst remember if they ask you if you watch TV and what programes do you like means: if you can sit still for half our watching soaps you can work.
At the moment I have my marbles, but it wont be long before am looking for them :)
If this is too much info dont worry about posting it
You are a brilliant woman an much more able and intelligent that they are. It is a great insult what they are putting everyone through. Thank you for your story and sharing your experience. A place you can copy and share your story with too is A### the Truth where Paul Smith is collecting and publishing people’s stories on line. If you do not mind I would like him to see this yours.
I do not know what to say. I wish I had a miracle in my pocket or some way to stop this awful abuse. But stick up for yourself and stick up for each other and write and send your experiences to your MP GMC and local politicians.
Xxx Aunty Admin
By all means pass along, I have looked for A### the Truth and couldnt find it.
Ho Caz. I have passed your experience along to Paul Smith who did the A### the Truth and http://victimsofatoscorruption.wordpress.com/ He is hard working and has been very actively involved from the beginning. A dis himself but I think he is marvellous like so many others.
Xxx Aunty Admin
Hi,I just found this forum by browsing the internet.I have been on IB and DA for 21 years now due to severe depression,anxiety,multi phobias etc.Yesterday I received this dreaded letter that I have to go to a interview about my illnesses.Now I can’t eat or sleep,feel sick,shake,have palpitations and I just want to die.I have no other income but my sick money,if I loose that I will be homeless as I won’t be able to pay my rent.I have no friends or family as my only friend killed herself a few years ago.I never heard about ATOS before I read it here.I have had medicals before,my last one was 6 years ago but that was still under Labour.The Tories want to kill all the sick and poor.I’m scared to death,the only hope was reading Jackies post about a good experience.I just pray and hope that I will get a good one too.
Hi Anne, It is truely terrible and many are under stress. but there is a great community on the internet in forums and on Facebook. Go to the links page and find the links for the forums and groups on Facebook. you will find much help there and many friends and supporters. Take care. all are worried. If you can buddy up with someone that can help. One mental health group i Bristol suggested users buddy up with each other. I am sure you will find my friends and support.
Xxx Aunty Admin
Hi just thought i’d give an update on my last post on April 12, 2012 at 14:03 I have just received the dreaded brown envelope this morning and I have been placed in the wrag group which I am happy with, I must be one of the lucky few because I have had no problems with claiming ESA or atos! I also got reawarded DLA both lower care and mobility with no problems either!! Good luck to everyone else going through this! And i hope it goes smoothly like it did with me! Just try not read up to many horror stories about it like what I did cause that is what made me ill!
Thank you. Glad it is not as bad for you as others. Still an insult though. Like putting you in the remedial class. Stay involved and intouch with what is going on. AA is not about the horrible stories but about accounting for all the disabled. The govt DWP and Atos have a duty to account for their actions and how they affect others. They have refused to do this. This is a gross omission. So might as well have to do it ourselves.
Xxx Aunty Admin
just appealed could not believepa that i was assessed by a midwife have looked through form that they sent the full one and the orginal form that i supposdley filled in due to a disease in hands would take rather a long time so advice filled this in never seen so many half truths and some outright lies in one form
states in form that i can brush my teeth never asked about theme wear partial dentures the assessor has even go above my speacalist had just had an op and only had the stiches the day before she decided that i could go back to work on a certain day when the actual recovery time is 3 to 6 months if it has worked as unforunarely there is no cure for this i wish was as have the most advanced case and do not have one finger on right hand that is not affected by this and other ie damaged nerves in right thumb due to an accident at work whick i get industrial injuries for.
i do wonder if this is the goverments way of getting that many people to look for work that is not there so that they can get everybody to work for peanuts as maggie did before
all the assessments and high quick sign off as fit for work is good fro govt figures and their continuing PR lies. As falsehoods and qualified midwife. make complaint to both Atos DWP (same copy) and to the Nursing and Midwifery council. you will find their guidelines on their website. veracity and do no harm and not being involved in judgements that you are not qualified to take.
If you can get together an join with others with a local group ( you can join one of the regional After Atos groups on facebook so people can network locally and use joint statements and testimonies and act as a group.
Make sure that people locally know what is happening, especially those who say they are active and sympathetic such as coalition against cuts group and unions and get them informed, involved and helping you. Tell them that the disabled need counting and accounting for and they can be part of it by supporting and backing AFTER ATOS and helping local disabled people get their feedback in. You and they get the return copy and overall feedback results. This will all go to help your argument and case.
Aunty Admin
IVE JUST HAD MY REPORT FROM MY ATOS MEDICAL AND THEY GAVE ME 6 POINTS. AT PRESENT IVE BEEN OFF WORK AND THEN A CAR CRASH SUFFERING FROM 4 DAMAGED DISCS IN MY NECK AND BACK, ONE WHICH GIVES ME NUMBNESS IN BOTH HANDS AND ARMS AND SEVERE HEADACHES AND BLACKOUTS AND DIZZINESS, IM AWAITING TO SEE THE NEUROLOGIST BEFORE GOING BACK TO SEE MY SURGEON AS SHE WANTS TO RULE OUT VERTIOBRASILAR INSUFFICIENCY SYMDROME. I CANT STAND FOR LONG OR SIT.
BUT AS FAR AS ATOS ARE CONCERNCED IM CURED AND FIT FOR WORK, NOW MY BENFITS HAVE BEEN STOPPED SO IM HEADING FOR A TRIBUNAL.
I FEEL SORRY FOR OTHERS THAT ARE WORSE OFF THAN ME, ITS BECAUSE OF THE CHEATS AND SCRONGERS THAT THE REAL SICK AND DISABLED GUYS ARE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE BENEFITS AND ATOS
I HOPE I WROTE IT OK AS IM TYPING AND CANT VEIW THE SCREEN AS THE WRITING IS BLURRING MY VISION, BUT IM FIT FOR WORK APPARANTLY
Sorry that they are being so rotten to you and you had an inadequate result. Do not be drawn into the cheats and scroungers argument because all the high figures of disabled being found fit to work through govt assessments are actually “you” the disabled. It makes false stats and continues the lie. Go forward and go through appeal and what you can do. find info and support at http://thefullfacts.com/esa/forum/ and find a buddy to go forward with. One of the problems and difficulties is being on your own and worn down and made to doubt yourself. So would be good if you can buddy up with others to go through the process. make a time to meet up and go through what you have to do together helping each other with the advice and help on line and forums and help each other. You will be made to feel so much more able and fortified.
Also, do not get into comparing yourself with others. Yes there are always people who have far worse conditions and all kinds of complex and terminal things. But the thing is to take each person individually and treat them separately as to their disability and what they can and cannot do. It does not help to compare and think yourself better or worse. If you disability causes your difficulty working and would make it impossible as it sounds like it does with a car crash and damaged spinal disks that is where you are. There is no way you can compare yourself with others. Keep with the facts and that is what will bring you through. Atos is built on a myth and misusing people’s prejudice and feelings about disabilities and disabled and who is worthy and deserving and who is not. Let’s not play into that myth and that kind of weighing up. Lets stay with the facts and stay with each other. It is a fact that the habit of people comparing themselves with one another and deciding who is a dis and who is not, who is worthy and who is not is existing and working itself out on the forums and social network groups at this time and is causing disintegration and dissention from within. It breaks the point and purpose of the advice and support forums to advise and support people through Atos, not judge them. We need to stick together and first of all we need not to compare. There was an old story of a vision of a spiritual woman. who God showed the opposite and killer of the virtues, Faith, Hope and Love. and the opposite of LOVE and the killer of it, was not hate or anger or violence, but “judging.”
Take care
Xxx Aunty Admin
I had my medical in jan 2012 and failed with 6 points,appealed and won on the 25th april 2012….Had a letter on the 27th april 2012 asking me to attend another medical….they waited 2 days!!!!!.im not sure if i can face this again,will they just keep doing this every time i win any appeal?…this cant be legal
Yes. they have done this to many people and the recall landing on the mat the same time as the win of appeal. This has been the pattern. And does not matter if your condition is terminal and permanent or chronic they still wish to seek reassessment over and over again. It pays them money keeps their contract rolling and makes out they are doing something. Sorry until this ends they continue. Until the truth comes out. even the media block and stop the real truth of things. But be active, take your situation and concerns to your MP and local councillors and work with others. Try and get the local council or others to back the right for disabled to record their feedback on the After Atos survey and we can send the overall anonymous figures and feedback to them and let them know how their region and local Atos centre and DWP is doing. And try and work with others locally to expose this monster.
Xxx Aunty Admin
Hi…. I have recently received the ESA50 questionnaire, so will likely be required to attend a medical assessment. I’m currently on Incapacity Benefit and mobility component of DLA.
I have a debilitating lung disease Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which i was diagnosed with in 1999. I was able to carry on working as a lorry driver until the disease had progressed to the point i could no longer work in 2007 and went on Incapacity Benefit. The disease is incurable and i take many drugs to help the condition.
The problem with this disease is that outwardly, sufferers do not look ill when they are at the stage of the disease i am at. Although there are many debilitating symptoms, constant breathlessness and tightness in the chest, disturbed sleep, susceptible to chest infections, to name just a few. I’m not yet at the stage where i need a constant oxygen feed, but the disease severely affects my ability to work.
I’m filled with dread about this assessment, especially as its a disease that is not apparent in a persons appearance, until they get to the stage where they are housebound and in constant need of oxygen.
Hi, It is terrifying and especially if you have read and followed what has been happening so far. This atrocities of lies and disability denial factories has been rolling since 2008, and the negative feedback and horrors was then. But gird up your loins. Remember all those stories and tales of Davids and Golliaths, Jack the Giant Killer and all those heroes before with everything against them and a monster before them. Think of the seven headed hydra, but you are the vanquishing hero who is going to stand up.
After Atos collects the feedback so that everyone can be accounted for and record their experiences, this then goes to all journalists, MP and media to make sure all know and nobody can say they were not told.
For support and advice and fellowship go to fellow user led forums such as Miss Ben E Fit at The Full Facts DWPEXAMINATIONS BenefitsandWork and Facebook groups and active groups such as Social Welfare Advocacy ESA Survival Guide and Bufferzone
There is plenty around and plenty of good people and many who have gone before you and many good disabled who are active, informed and intelligent. I cannot promise you an easy ride as no one is getting one at the moment and it is all nonsense. But until it ends we have to go through it and persevere. Keep your MP notified. It is important that everyone makes sure everyone knows so no one can say in the future they did not. The heat is hotting up as after so many years it is gradually getting through these assessments are a mess and unprofessional and not fit for purpose.
So good luck and get with some great company. and also network and join with people and fellow disabled in your area.
Yours
Xxx Aunty Admin
Thanks for the reply Admin… I have looked on The Full Facts forum and there seems to be just as many horror stories about Atos on there as everywhere else. Unfortunately they seem to have disabled new registrations on there at the moment, so i can only view the forum but not post on there.
Another sleepless night with the worry of this assessment. If i’m found fit for work, and from everything i’ve read about Atos it seems likely i will be, then i’ll have no option but to appeal. At the moment it seems the most i can hope for is for WRAG ESA. Its too much to hope for ESA support, as i’m not at deaths door. With my lung disease i cant see any way that i will be able to comply with the conditions of JSA, most work would be beyond my capabilities due to breathing difficulties with movement. Even if i get WRAG ESA, i shall be looking at almost a £30 PW reduction from the Incapacity Benefit i am on at the moment. Luckily i still have my Mobility Component of DLA, although sometime in the future it looks like i’ll be assessed for that as well.
I find it astonishing that there is so little coverage in the media about how this coalition government, and the company Atos, is victimising disabled people and making their lives hell. Yet the media are always happy to report incidences of benefit fraud, creating the impression that all disability claimants are workshy, malingering, benefit fraudsters.
Is there any hope when we are portrayed like that !
hi all, just found this site,had medical assessment at home in march,just got result 0 points,phoned up dwp today and asked for another decision maker to look at changing decision, she asked why? i told her the so called report the so called doc had done at my house was full of lies,she asked me to explain,i told her i am bed bound and have 2prolapsed discs in my back as well as having muscle removed from 1 off my legs following a serious infection,the so called doc checked out my good leg as he has kindly put in his report and not the 1 thats been operated on several times!!!!!!!!!!!!!the women at dwp laughed out loud and said yes i can see that on my copy. told her many other lies that the so called doc had stated, she said fine se will pass on my comments to another decision maker willingly.told her i have the whole assessment recorded on cctv with his and my comments if they require copy(cctv was installed 2 years ago so family could keep eye on me) the lady at dwp said i should hear back in 7 days, do i wait or lodge in appeal straight away? my mp is coming over next week to view cctv footage and said he will advice me then. thanks all
Hi D, You did well to phone upand stick up for yourself. You are not the only one that found the assessor told lies or checked the good leg not the bad. You must put things in writing, write your complaint to DWP and a complaint to the assessor’s professional body GMC if doctor NMC if nurse, Physiotherapists Charter of physio. Go find as much info as possible at forums and facebook groups. you will find links via this site I use the http://thefullfacts.com/esa/forum/ a lot for reference and for help.
Good luck. you did well phoning up and standing up. The adviser may have laughed but because it probably is not the first one she has heard of. But you must include the inappropriateness of the telephone adviser. They can be there to get you to say things verbally but not write things down or advise you to write them in in a complaint. I’d give them the works and take them through the mill. Inform your GP, nurse and any specialists/consultants you might have.
Thanks for commenting
Xxx Aunty Admind
I’ve got paranoid schizophrenia. I’ve had it for 20 years. It has got me sectioned under the MH Act maybe numerous times. Last time I lost the plot and accidentally hit a police officer. The worst thing was the officer was trying his best to help me. The voices just take over. They sent me to a secure unit 70 miles from home. Eventually they let me go.
Here I am now, being harassed by the DWP and their Nazi contractors, ATOS Origin.
The DWP sent me an ESA50. I answered it clearly enough – paranoid schizophrenic – 20 year history – numerous compulsory hospital admissions – no insight – auditory and visual hallucinations – delusions – regular outbursts of violence – suicidal – danger to self and others – bad drug side effects – severe apathy.
But DWP/ATOS don’t even read what’s written on the form, nor what the consultant psychiatrist and the GP have added. The ATOS-Nazi apparatus still ordered me to attend a face-to-face.
I really don’t know what to do. Probably won’t even make it there. If the paranoia flares up really bad it isn’t safe to even get out of bed.
The City Bankers pulling the strings of ATOS Healthcare are pure evil. As their profits go meteoric, the ATOS Body Count soars, too. Countless claimants are taking their own lives because of the trauma from ATOS Inquisitions. What a criminal state of affairs that the most sensitive souls in our society are being snuffed out in the name of corporate profit.
It’s surprising that none of the ATOS assessor-grunts have been attacked and killed yet. The way ATOS is ordering the severely mental ill into jumping through hoops like circus animals, there’s going to be a tragic bloody mess at some point.
On a more practical point, Reg. 29 of the Employment Support Allowance Regulations looks important to the severely mentally ill:
“Exceptional circumstances
As is the case for incapacity benefits, the ESA legislation provides for
circumstances in which the claimant could fail to reach the LCWA points threshold, but nonetheless have limited capacity for work. The relevant provision is that the claimant suffers from some specific disease or bodily or mental disablement and, by reasons of such disease or disablement, there would be a substantial risk to the mental or physical health of any person if the claimant were found not to have limited capacity for work.”
See: https://lra.le.ac.uk/bitstream/2381/9908/1/2011tindleyrphd.pdf
[by the way, ATOS share price is up 300% since Jan 2009]
Hi, thanks for posting any way. With your diagnosis you do need help. The usual MH groups and professional should be able to help as they have been going through this and helping others to go through this for quit some time. you have Mental Health and the Wider Disability Movement on facebook and I am sure you are not the first schizophrenic Miss Ben E Fit has dealt with. But there are many people around and many organistions who can and who are helping. One of the things is to buddy up with someone else. and help each other. schizophrenics are often very intelligent and very able to get their heads round a lot of things. This is about saving money, targetting the disabled and about Private firms getting contracts and rich on it. Nothing paranoid about that. it is the truth. But now you can get down and get serious and focus and learn from others. I know your mind will be going all over the show and making all kinds of a mess in your mind.But you will be ok. just try and keep simple and focused.
XXx Aunty Admin
hi aunty admin,good idea,will put everything in a letter to dwp in the morning and keep copy on my file just in case i need to go all the way and appeal.
i am awaiting gl24 as well as esa85,once i see medical report iwill take them all the way as i have cctv footage off the whole medical with his and my voice clear as day.
thx for all advice x
hi,just a question,when during my conversation with dwp i mentioned that i am on the high rate off mobility allowance and the middle rate off care component she was took back and said and you was still assessed!!! any idea what thats all about?
thx