dwpexamination forum now available at http://dwpexaminations.blacktrianglecampaign.org/phpBB3/
I am constantly receiving emails and messages to the forum and blog from disgruntled victims of the DWP and their enforcement arm ATOS Origin. Many of these communications say that the author is going to give up. This worries me so I have put this together to try and offer an alternative view of the long drawn out processes applied by ATOS and the DWP.
When ATOS deny you your benefits by knowingly writing a report which will encourage the DWP DM to give you the lowest possible mark they can, you should always challenge their decision. Not only that you should always write to ATOS Origin complaining about the quality of your assessment or the Doctors attitude or anything else you may be unhappy with. Back this up with a FOI request asking for any information ATOS and the DWP hold on you from your first ever contact up to the present.
Try to draw the process out by asking for further information from both, this serves to undermine their power over you and besides, they hate it when you ask them for information they are legally bound to give you. You should always appeal by challenging the HCP’s report and the DM’s marking of it, make that as detailed as you can and demand a reply.
Always go the distance with your appeal, always be accompanied and never give up. If you fail at tribunal try to find a way to challenge that, though you will have to prove the first tier failed on a point of Law which is often difficult.
The main issue here is to eat into any profits ATOS or the DWP make out of denying you your Benefits. Aim your main assault at ATOS, they are a private company who make money out of your misery. They have no conscience and unless they start to lose money hand over fist they will never be brought to book.
The DWP also need t know they are wrong to mark you down, they know they are doing so and like ATOS will try to pass the buck when challenged. The same applies, they would not give you quarter, don’t give them quarter either. Get stuck in, cost them as much money as possible and repeat the operation when they come back 6 months or a year down the line.
Above all, the readers and contributors to the blog and the forum will support and encourage you by telling you their horror stories and by encouraging you to keep your chin up .
No retreat, no surrender.
Excellent advice.
I hope your readers heed it
Comment by deano30 — September 25, 2010 @ 10:32 am
I am so shocked and astounded that i have just received a further ‘Fit Note’ as they call it now stating i cannot work but since i had my so called assesment by ATOS giving me 0 Points they have stopped all my benefits i have had no letter or phone calle to advise me of the outcome just one asking for a ‘Fit Note’, the only reason i know all this is because my benefits didnt go into my bank last week and it took me over a week to contact them. While at the assesment there were no doctors available i had to see a Nurse who asked me questions off a computer which were totally irrelevant to my situation, of course im not going to pass! But the thing is i have been left with no money not Housing Benefit, nothing this is the 3rd week now and they want me to sign on Job Seekers, when i first signed on Last NOv i didnt get paid anything for 2 months as i was covered by a ‘fit Note’ given by my Doctor but now they are saying i have to sign on even though i am still covered by a Fit Note valid until Feb 2011!!
They say if i appeal they will pay me a reduced rate benefit but if i sign on i will get the full benefit, this is blackmail. Due to my illness i have lost 4 jobs in the last 3 years previous to that i have always worked always paid my dues and now look.
Without a shadow of a doubt now i have read your information i am going to appeal and keep on appealing till the death (pardon the pun) Thankyou, i will keep you updated and i live in Sheffield.
Comment by Kaaron — December 6, 2010 @ 8:31 pm
Welcome to our world, first may I say well done for appealing. Next take up thier offer of the lower rate, this should protect your housing benefit, contact the local authority welfare rights team or the CAB foir further advice. Join our sister forum at http://dwpexaminations.blacktrianglecampaign.org/index.php where you will find like minded people in similar situations and a mine of information on the DWP and thier enforcement arm ATOS.
Comment by dwpexamination — December 7, 2010 @ 9:30 am
I was sanctioned (an occult word for `fined`) one weeks JSA because we had a death in our family and I totally forgot an appointment with the DWP. The government do not allow a `death` as an excuse for not attending an appointment. I am appealing, I find this nothing less than demonic….we are being governed by devils.
Comment by BabeRainbow — January 22, 2011 @ 6:58 pm
I would just like to say that I think this is one of the most informative and helpful sites I have ever come across, I would like to take this opportunity in thanking you for what your doing, your right that we all need to stand up to these bullies, please keep up the good work.
I have you down on my links page and am always trying to spread the good word about you.
Comment by newsextra1962 — March 3, 2011 @ 7:31 pm
Much appreciated, the more people we make aware the better.
Comment by dwpexamination — March 4, 2011 @ 9:50 am
Hi,
Just an update, i have appealed and when i received the information through from the ‘NURSE’ who assessed me, i laughed out loud, it was ridiculous. It seems i was supposed to site there, threaten her with violence scratch my arse, pick my nose and fall unconcious on the floor in front of her and maybe i would have got a point!! I will appeal to the death, this is wrong.I didnt get reduced rate while awaiting my appeal but i would have accepted.
Comment by Kaaron — March 9, 2011 @ 12:00 pm
No one must give up, I did find out the other day that a certain doctor who worked for Atos a while ago is now no longer licensed to practice medicine in the UK according to the GMC, has DWPExamination heard of any doctor’s etc who are no longer licensed to practice now?
Comment by newsextra1962 — March 9, 2011 @ 12:08 pm
I don’t know If anyone already knows this but a doctor who works or worked for Atos is down on the GMC Register as registered but WITHOUT A LICENSE TO PRACTICE.
He is also NOT on the GP Register and
He is NOT on the Specialist register.
His name is Dr.Francis Charles O’Neil GMC Registration number: 0600785….
He had a complaint about him made by someone who had an assessment by Atos Health Care and supposedly falsified the information he put on the assessment form, another two doctors were also accused of the same thing, you will find out more here..
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/atos_medical_examination_falsify
Comment by newsextra1962 — March 9, 2011 @ 1:06 pm
Thanks for that “K” please keep us posted on your progress. Why not join our sister forum at http://dwpexaminations.blacktrianglecampaign.org/index.php and share your experience with our forum members.
Comment by dwpexamination — March 10, 2011 @ 1:29 pm
I agree with the info given about not giving up on appeals, I am genuinely-disabled and have been through 3 years of hell with appeals, now my appeal is at the upper tribunal in London and I’m awaiting the decision off the DWP. The upper tribunal said they the DWP and the two previous tribunal judges made eight mistakes and had no right to withhold money from me and my family. We tried to get help from a solicitor and was told I couldn’t get legal aid (strange how we have all these ‘rights’ and no one to help us enforce them). Suffice to say, my wife and I have done all the paper work ourselves and armed only with the knowledge we have done no wrong, we took our fight to the top. in a few weeks I’ll tell you how I did, PLEASE KEEP FIGHTING! IT’S THE RIGHT OF EVERY DISABLED PERSON AND THEIR DEPENDENTS TO HAVE A VOICE
Comment by victedy — July 8, 2011 @ 6:11 pm
Hello victedy.
Good work, the tribunal judges are corrupt as well, Are you aware that the firstt tier tribunal judge can overule the Doctor on the panel and deny you your rights, in other words it’s not the Doctor on the panel who decides your fate, but an unqualified lawyer come judge on an ideological mission, it’s in the lap of the gods which upper tribunal judge you get to look at your case too, because some of them (who are supposed to stand for something by the way) , ARE UNBELIEVABLY CORRUPT AND ARE IN ON THE FARCE AS WELL.
Help us fight them here at http://dwpexaminations.blacktrianglecampaign.org/index.php help us fight them before it’s too late.
.
Comment by dwpexamination — July 9, 2011 @ 9:06 am
HI there, just been reading some of your experiences!!! I have received a letter today saying I am not entitled to ESA and received NO points!!!! I was supposed to receive an appeal form in with the letter which incidently was not there but two envelopes to send back ???????? I really don’t know what to do now, the thoughts of the lengthy process overwhelms me, but I suppose that’s the aim eh?
Comment by Anonymous — September 7, 2011 @ 2:12 pm
Hello Anon.
Don’t panic, you can get an appeal form from your local Job centre plus just by walking in off the street and asking for one (The appeal form is called a GL 24 form) , they didn’t send you one to sicken and annoy you, yes it was deliberate, scandalous isn’t it ?.
Ok now you need to appeal, if you have a problem and don’t know where to start don’t worry all the information on what to do now is available on the forum here http://dwpexaminations.blacktrianglecampaign.org/phpBB3/ just get that form from the buggers first and get appealing, of course you will wonder about money whilst waiting for the appeal to be heard, when you appeal on the GL 24 make sure you tell them you wish to be paid at the assessment rate (same as job seekers and is the same deal) all information that you need for appealing is available on the forum so pick a user name and get in there.
The alternative is to sign on for Job seakers allowance, and you have health issues so that is obviously not an option…!!
GOOD LUCK.
Comment by dwpexamination — September 7, 2011 @ 8:05 pm
my mate 66 years old , crippled can only just walk with a stick and with support from me had an in 2009 he was given high rate mobility and low rate care indefinatly, he could hobble around on his own in 2009 with the aid of a stick but 2 yrs on + his mobility has decreased, so applied for a higher rate of care, the askes him a load of questions about what his disability prevents him from doing? if you cant walk or hold your balance on your own does not give you much scope for doing anything i would have thought!!after many questions which by the way are the same question but in different words are asked, he performs his examination which consists of asking my friend to stand up which he did after a few attempts and some assistance from me, then asked to walk a few steps he did so once again with my support, then he was asked to lie down on the coach and lift his legs and move his feet, bend his knees, a tape measure was produced to measure the girth of each ankle and examination over,During this i got confused because of the repeat questions of the same inquiry. my mate is 66 not got a good memory, and he was totally confused and disorientated by it all, the doctor asked my friend to sighn a form consenting to the examination befor the start of the examination, but now after reading some of the bloggs on here ive realised that the form he sighned was the form he should have sighned after the examination and once the doctors notes had been looked at and agreed upon, we was not allowed to see his notes and to correct any missing or derogotory notes made due to any miss understanding of any questioned made by the doctor,so i think we will shortly be having a letter stating benifits have been disallowed and we shall once again return to a tribuneral for justice. these examinations in my view are not about accesing your care needs but more about accessing how to go about stopping paying for your care needs, i think with the way the government is victimising the disabled, we shall soon be reading head lines in the paper the wheel chair gang strike again . security man delivering money to post office run over by wheel chair bound robber who grabbed the cash box and made his gettaway in his souped up wheel chair,, any disabled person giving information to the identities of these robbers will be re instated on to disability allowence
Comment by Anonymous — September 23, 2011 @ 9:09 am
You hit the nail on the head when you stated ”these examinations in my view are not about accesing your care needs but more about accessing how to go about stopping paying for your care needs”, and that’s what it’s all about, the nice smiling friendly ATOS Dr is nice and smiling because he/she is going to take money from your/our bank account and deposit it in his/her bank account, just nothing short of legalised robbery.
No wonder they are happy smiling people, log in here folks and help wipe the smile off their faces http://dwpexaminations.blacktrianglecampaign.org/phpBB3/
Comment by dwpexamination — September 23, 2011 @ 10:54 am
Just like to say thank you for all the info i have gained from this site I am about to go though this farce of a medical and the thing that comes to mind is 1939 Germany they to had a way with dealing with disable people they KILLED them out right. OUR LOT OF LITTLE HITLER’S LIKE TO SEE YOU SUFFER . I wonder will there be ramps in the camps ??
or will that be asking to much. Hail to the new goverment
Comment by gerry — October 15, 2011 @ 9:27 pm
Thanks Gerry, we try to help by providing as much up to date information and intellegence we can on the activities of ATOS and the DWP. All you can do is go along there and give them all of the information they need from you, remember to use words like severe chrionic pain and or discomfort. If you can use thier own words against them and check out the descriptors before you go. If you havnt already please go here http://dwpexaminations.blacktrianglecampaign.org/phpBB3/ and register, its free and you will meet many people in a similar situation to your own. Also you can help us by regestering at our new blog http://blogofthelords.wordpress.com placing a comment there too.
Comment by dwpexamination — October 16, 2011 @ 10:07 am
just been turned down for ESA after scoring 15 points last year! I have five herniated discs and more on the way, carpal tunnel which cannot be operated on because I have fybromyalgia, I have M/E, also have have osteo- arthritis throughout my body. I was 60 years old last May and worked for 43 years – the employment giving me most of the health problems I am now having to live with. I could not hold a job down and yet the ATOS doctor has declared me ‘fit for work’ – how did he get to this assessment? In fact come to think of it he was not an ATOS doctor this time but a nurse employed by the government. I am so glad that I shall be able to claim my state pension next May. I do feel so sorry for those people who are genuinely ill and have many years ahead of them and will have to have these yearly assessments – my heart goes out to them. I shall appeal against my case as I am a genuine person whose quality of life is suffering on a daily basis. More than anything I would love to be able to work – I miss working and the benefits it brought with it.
Comment by Gillian Baxter — October 27, 2011 @ 1:17 am
You obviously realise it’s all a con and absolutely nothing to do with helping people back to work, we are doing all we can to stop these bastards in their tracks here http://dwpexaminations.blacktrianglecampaign.org/phpBB3/, this is the worst Government Britain has had in the last hundred years, a bunch of charlatans and crooks and capable of anything, even capable of taking old age pensions away from us all, they have already cut their fuel allowance, they couldn’t give a toss how many people died through not being able to turn up or even put on their heating.
At first our fight was just with the DWP decision makers and ATOS, now we see what we are really up against, as I said a Government of vipers and snake oil salesmen, we must get rid of them as soon as possible before they ruin the Country.
Comment by dwpexamination — October 27, 2011 @ 3:00 am
i finished working in october 2009, had an assessment by a doctor at atos and was awarded esa. i was called back in mid october this year was examined by a very friendly NURSE and later told i had been awarded 6 points and was no longer entitled to esa.
i requested a copy of my medical report, and while it said i was disabled i was considered fit to work.
do not get sucked in by atos, no matter how friendly the assessor seems,
only answer direct questions and do not get in any conversation of any kind,its all a CON.
never talk to the DWP over the phone always ask for written information,and always, always appeal.
i suffer from chronic ankylosing spondylitis heart failure and lots of associated problems, i was shocked that any one in my condition could be considered fit for work but have since found out that people worse off than me have been ruled fit to work, do not take it personally and think if atos say i am fit to work it must be so,thats what they want you to think, do not be conned by these morons.
even though i will be 65 in december and no longer entitled to esa i am still appealing and intend to take my case all the way
Comment by joey — November 24, 2011 @ 12:40 pm
Hello Joey.
You have summed it up nicely, and this is been going on for nearly three years, that’s right shocking isn’t it ? three years.
We have been fighting these crooks here at the forum http://dwpexaminations.blacktrianglecampaign.org/phpBB3/ and exposing them for the common criminals that they are, watching their every move, signing petitions, helping victims with appeals and information etc.
We will not give up until fair assessments are introduced..!!
Comment by dwpexamination — November 24, 2011 @ 2:24 pm
Hi,
I was forced to give up work in 2007 by depression, anxiety and stress. It took me a long time to convincingly manage it and start again. It has been like reliving my life over from childhood.
4 years on, I am in my finally year studying a BA in Counselling Studies. I am only able to cope with all the work because of the great amount if support I receive from the uni tutors, support team and the student counselling team together with my doctor.
Every year, ive suffered with depression and scurry but have managed to get through it in a few months with the support.
I’ve recently had an ATOS report and loss of benefit, during another bout of depression, and it has added to my anxiety. I only got the report recently; I found out my benefit had been stopped when a p45 came through my door. I had no other form of communication prior to this.
I phoned to complain and asked that they send me the information I should have had in large print (I’m partially sighted). I received it last week in standard print last week.
I have been deeply affected by thus and am now also taking diazepam in addition to increased anti-depressents and am on the sick from uni.
These people have not offered me support to help me deal with it and I am scared that a return to work will result in the same thing thing happening all over again with much more severe outcomes
Comment by Bill — December 12, 2011 @ 11:02 pm
Hello Bill.
You are still suffering from a serious illness and so a return to work at the moment is just not an option, you can appeal the ATOS DRs decision and claim the assessment rate, you can also get plenty of help here on what to do next http://dwpexaminations.blacktrianglecampaign.org/phpBB3/ from people who have been there.
Comment by dwpexamination — December 13, 2011 @ 5:13 am
I have had two seperate Atos assessments one for ESA one for DLA, although I gave the same information on both counts regarding Degenerative disk disease both findings are completly different. I find this astounding as both contradict the other and am taking both to appeal. These will not be heard till at least September !!! I will no doubt have more deteriation in my condition as I will not get better only worse. Time this government realised a mistake and apologised for victimising people who are suffering through no fault of their own.
Comment by Jason Porter — February 24, 2012 @ 5:14 pm
Hello Jason.
I agree with you, the worlds gone mad, it’s like we are living in some Kafkaesque nightmare.
This ATOS outfit are a shower of incompetent fools, they don’t even have red faces when we go for our assessments, they just act as if their fabricated medical assessments are all normal and the natural order of things.
Rich fools though you will have noticed..!! And there’s the rub, money talks I suppose..!!
Comment by dwpexamination — February 24, 2012 @ 6:57 pm
I have a ATOS appointment tomorrow and I am dreading it!
I have been diagnosed with bilacteral cervical stenosis, a degenerative disease.
I was retired from my job as a Nursing Auxilary in October 2010.
ATOS were the ones that assessed me, along with my occupational health doctor and pain management doctor. All agreed that I was unfit for any kind of work. I had tried to do a phased return to work and failed!!! So I was retired and went onto ESA. In December my payments stopped, due to me failing to attend an appointment, that I knew nothing about. I did appeal and it was rejected.
I have been without ESA since 23/11/2011 and to be honest, has been a real struggle mentally and financially. With a lot of telephone calls to DWP and ATOS I finally got an appointment sooner than I should have. It is tomorrow, as I said and think I will have a sleepless night worrying about it. I cannot work I know that, my GP and Pain Consultant agree. I need to get ATOS on my side which seems neon impossible by all accounts.
We are ready for them though and hope to win so my ESA can be re instated and back dated.
Why do we honest, genuine people have to fight for what we are entitled to? I have worked all my life since I left school, so I am not a scrounger.I would rather work that try and claim there meagre benefits……..
Comment by Anonymous — February 28, 2012 @ 9:21 pm
Hello Kez.
Well you ask why we need to go through this ? because Cameron promised the electorate that he would get a million of sickness benefits, he didn’t mention he was going to do it by hook or by crook, he also didn’t mention he doesn’t care if they are ill, just…he is going to do it and damn the torpedoes. Cameron has just took of where New labour left off, yes they were going to do it if they got back in to power, in fact it was New labour who started this chaos in the first place..!!
Comment by dwpexamination — February 28, 2012 @ 11:00 pm
Ascot.
I have been given zero points on my examination.
As a result I have appealed their decision, and now I am on the appeal allowance for a couple of weeks.
Perhaps some one can tell me why I have to keep visiting my doctor for a sick note.
If as I am told this appeal could go on and on, do I have to get a sick note from my GP to cover the time that it takes to my appeal?
What would happen if my GP refused to give me a sick note, where does this effect my appeal?
Comment by Anonymous — March 12, 2012 @ 7:52 pm
Hello Anonymous.
The appeal can take any amount of time usually nine months, the reason you need to supply a sicknote is to make things as difficult as possible for us, it means we constantly need to go down to the GPs and get that note, which as you know is just a complete waste of time.
If the Dr refuses to give you a sicknote then you have problems, all I can say is if it happens to me I’m going to stand up say nothing, walk out to the receptionists desk and ask for a release slip, and then go to another surgery, I don’t care if that surgery happens to be 20 miles away, I’m not tolerating any GP who can’t even supply a sicknote when you are appealing, after all the point is it’s not as if appealing gets us any extra money.
Read the following interesting article and the McArdle and Carty letter below the article..!!
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/newsarticle-content/-/article_display_list/13584314/gpc-seeks-talks-with-dwp-over-atos-fitness-to-work-scheme-concerns
Comment by dwpexamination — March 12, 2012 @ 9:53 pm
Ascot.
Thank you for your prompt reply.
I found the road to my appeal a very good learning curve.
Every time I call the DWP, a write a log of who I spoke to and what was said in the call.
This is done on a spread sheet.
One of my friends said I should go to my local authority to ask advice on my appeal.
I now have a benefit advisor from my local authority who will help me through to the actual tribunal, when and if it happens.
At this time, I just plod on from day to day.
Comment by Anonymous — March 12, 2012 @ 10:55 pm
Hello Ascot.
It’s better to learn now and get switched on, because this Government are going to try their best to switch you off..!!
Instead of plodding on from day to day, go to the forum and educate yourself on what this horrible nasty Government have got in store for us, if we are going to die because of these cuts at least you’ll be one of the few that will know the reason/s why..!!
http://www.dwpexamination.org
Comment by dwpexamination — March 13, 2012 @ 7:44 am
Most of the information I have used is from this site.
It is good that total strangers will help those who need it.
I have spent many hours reading the posts on this particular forum.
I worry for those people who can not look after themselves and are thrown to the wolves.
I have no worries about what I am doing , and will hope fully see it through to a positive conclusion.
Just stay available for advice for me and others.
What is your opinion of the Benefit Advisors employed by the local councils?
Ascot
Comment by Anonymous — March 13, 2012 @ 9:44 am
Hi Ascot.
Do you mean the welfare rights and CAB benefit advisors ?
Comment by dwpexamination — March 13, 2012 @ 1:05 pm
The person I saw is from The Benefits Advice Service of the local authority, with offices through out the area.
THe answer is yeas.
Comment by Anonymous — March 13, 2012 @ 2:56 pm
Hello Anonymous.
The welfare rights and the CAB are fine they are on your side not the DWPs, the DWP advisors are not your friend so take everything they say with a pinch of salt.
But as I said the Welfare rights are fine can give great impartial advice, and can even represent you at tribunals etc. So listen to what they say, it’s in your own best interests, but the DWP ? they would sell their grannies for promotion..!!
In all the time I have dealt with them, bar once, they have done nothing but talk absolute crap. I can give you an example or two.
Go to the tribunal and win ? they sometimes send you a letter saying you need to send in a sick line, and when you phone them up ? yes Sir we can confirm ‘ You need to send us a sick line’ RUBBISH, no one needs to send in a sick line if they win a tribunal.
Another favourite from the DWP is to send you a letter saying you didn’t send them a sick line (When you had) and your benefits will be affected if you do not get one and send it in. They lost it, but will never admit it, they even lost one of mine that they themselves had photo-copied, when I asked why the photo-copy wasn’t sufficient proof I did send one in the reply was that’s not how it works Sir.
You send your ESA 24 appeal form in, and they send you a letter six weeks later saying your appeal was considered and you are fit for work, when the truth was they didn’t consider anything, the ESA 24 lay in a drawer for six weeks until the decision maker decided to bring it out look at the name, put it in an envelope with a template you are refused letter and gave it to the mail boy to post.
Let me tell you the DWP are nothing but liars and criminals, half of them should be in jail, one day a whistleblower will emerge and expose the corruption, and what they have to say will be absolutely shocking, YOU MARK MY WORDS..!!
Comment by dwpexamination — March 13, 2012 @ 3:21 pm
Hi
Just been reading all the comments, and felt I must share my daughters story
My daughter’s leg gave way at work one day over 2 years ago, she eventually lost her job through it, so that meant she had to claim for esa and dla, she was under the John radcliffe and still is as they now think she has dopa responsive dystonia, anyway she was asked to go to a medical with atos, my daughter had a full length plaster cast on and went in on crutches,we provided all medical letters,the woman (who’s name I coudln’t even pronounce) asked loads of silly questions, do you go on the internet, do you go out with friends, what do you do during the day? etc At the end of the medical she told us to go, whilst still looking at her computer.
Eventually my daughter received a letter saying she was awarded 0 points and wasnt entilted to anything and she was fit to work, obviously we appealed.
The date of the tribunal came and we went armed with all medical documents, there was a Judge and Doctor
They both asked my daughter questions (No trick questions) and did not make her feel like she was a fraud, we
was told to go out the room while they made their decision and was called back in and told we should of never of been turned down as they said my daughter had limited capability to work and awarded her 15 points.
However she has now been sent another form to fill in and has been told she will have to go for another medical
even though she won her appeal, I just wanted to know if this is a common thing they do after winning your appeal? I would be grateful if someone could shed light on the situation
Many thanks
Mariner
Comment by mandy stephenson — March 13, 2012 @ 6:19 pm
Hello Mandy.
When your daughter walked in on crutches and a plaster for her ATOS assessment I bet never in a million years did it occur to her that she would be found fit for work ? well shes not the only one this is happening to thousands of people all over Britain.
People can’t believe it when we tell them, the usual response is ‘They can’t do that’ if I had a pound for every person who said that to me I wouldn’t need to be in receipt of ESA.
People who have brain tumours and Lung cancer coughing up blood in the ATOS centre are being found for work, it’s an absolute scandal and has been going on for over three years now, it’s about time something was done about it don’t you think ? but nothing is being done about it even though these so called members of parliament all know about it, I ask you what kind of democracy is that ?.
She quite rightly won her appeal and anyone would think they would get the message and leave her alone for a while ? but I fear not. they are not going to leave any of us alone, the idea is to keep hounding us until we die or come of sickness benefits.
So yes it’s normal to be called for an an ATOS assessment shortly after winning an appeal, and I urge your daughter, do not allow herself to be intimidated by these people just keep playing there sad game and keep getting medical evidence and keep appealing, at least until we find a way out of this..!!
By the way…if your daughter needs help or support any time in the future then we can give that help here at the forum http://www.dwpexamination.org
Comment by dwpexamination — March 13, 2012 @ 7:04 pm
I know its an absolute disgrace,I am a social care worker and the amount of people I care for are having the same problem, we will continue to fight this and its nice to know help and support is on hand, im sure this site will be a god send for my daughter and many other people in the same position
Mandy
Comment by mandy — March 13, 2012 @ 9:07 pm
Hello Mandy.
A thousand people a day look at the various pages on this site, they rarely ask questions, I suppose they can get the information by scouring this Blog and others like (Why wait for ever, ABC of ESA, benefits and work,UKBIX, Black triangle and all the others like our own forum http://www.dwpexamination.org so don’t need to ask.
But a thousand people every day on this Blog alone just shows how many people are being stitched up by ATOS and the DWP, and it’s going to get worse when the people who receive DLA get told they are no longer eligible, I reckon the internet will be bursting at the seams when the welfare reforms really take hold..!!
It’s really amazing how many people there are out there who haven’t a clue what’s going to hit them shortly..!!
Comment by dwpexamination — March 13, 2012 @ 9:57 pm
When your daughter fell at work, was it as a result of a slip, trip or fall accident or some other negligence of the employer?
If this was the case, your daughter may be in line for a claim against the employer for not maintaining a safe working environment.
I ask this as I was a Safety Rep for my Trade Union for 7 years.
You have 7 years from this accident to make a claim.
Comment by Anonymous — March 14, 2012 @ 12:28 am
Hi
My daughter was a teacher for disabled children and her leg just gave way at work, she didnt have an accident or fall, to begin with they thought it was her tendon as she was in considerable pain, because of the length of time she had off they dismissed her, but paid her a weeks pay for every year she was there (7 years), sounds like redundancy to me dont you think? The council was making cuts and I think it was a way to get her out.
Mandy
Comment by mandy — March 14, 2012 @ 10:57 am
Hello Mandy.
Yes I agree, and the irony is, the Government are telling everyone who is ill to get a job, on the one hand we have ATOS occupational health who find you unfit for work, and on the other we have ATOS healthcare who find you fit for work. Honestly you couldn’t make it up no matter how hard you tried..!!
Comment by dwpexamination — March 14, 2012 @ 3:41 pm
ESA Appeal Won! From Wrag to Support
My advice pick every lie up they said on medical and explain why its wrong,question why a nurse has made the decision not a specialist,appeal ASAP with as much evidence as you can.
I won on the grounds that the DWP had went against medical evidence and couldn’t explain why,also because they didn’t account for my mental health which was written on initial form.
Fight all the way,good luck
Comment by jax — April 18, 2012 @ 7:47 am
Hi! I am back again – I wrote on here about a month ago when I had just come back from an Atos assessment.
Today I got a letter and I was given 0 points and my letter from the DWP was full of half truths.
I don’t know the first thing about appealing. I don’t feel well enough to do anything. I might be able to go through with it if I can get some support and advice. I had the letter yesterday and it was dated 25th and it is now the weekend so I can’t do anything but I don’t know what to do. My GP is on holiday till middle of May aswell. What do I do next?
Comment by A Christian — April 28, 2012 @ 1:27 am
Hello A Christian.
The first thing we do is stay calm and focused, you are going to take one thing at a time and you have a month to do it, and the first thing to understand is that to receive zero points is normal, we are going to play their little game now, and as I said we do it in stages.
The first thing we do is write a letter to the DWP, nothing fancy, just explain on the letter that you have received their letter dated such and such and wish to appeal against their decision to find you fit for work, in order to do this could you please forward me a GL24 appeal form and the ESA 85 assessment report, don’t forget to put your national insurance number on it, this is your number and can only be you, it goes on everything you write to the DWP.
Next step is to visit your Job centre plus, and ask for a GL24 form, yes I know that contradicts what I have just said above, why do you send a letter asking for a GL24 and now you are going to go in to the JC plus and ask for one, the reason is the letter you have sent asking for the GL24 form and the ESA 85 assessment report is really just asking for the assessment report and at the same time you are giving them notice that you are definitely appealing and wish the report and the appeal form to show them you are serious, there is another reason for writing and asking for these two items, they do not want to send you the assessment report, they do not want you to see what you are appealing against, because they just want you to go away and leave them alone, don’t take this personally, they are doing this to everyone, that is why I said we take it in stages and understand they are playing the game of fob him off, so of course if they are deliberately going to delay the ESA 85 assessment report it stands to reason they can’t send you a GL24 form to appeal with, because they know you are going to ask them (By letter) if you can send me a GL24 appeal form then why can’t you send me my ESA 85 assessment report so that I can see what I am appealing against.
Remember, you have one month to appeal, and it can be god knows how long before they decide to send you the report, they reason with a bit of luck you will be stupid enough to actually wait for the assessment report, which means you will not meet the strict monthly deadline, then they can make your life a misery because they will argue that it’s your responsibility to get a GL24 from thin air and form your appeal, yes I know what you are thinking by god these people are desperate, they will try any trick, stoop to any level just to deny you of your rights, and that is exactly what’s happening, this is what they have been told to do, but they don’t know that you are now clued up.
The next stage is to look at the GL24 appeal form and you will see a box on there to write your appeal, that’s where you write that you wish to appeal against their decision to find you fit for work, at the moment I still haven’t received my ESA85 assessment report and until I have time to study it then please do not treat this as the whole of my appeal, that will follow later when I receive the report, because I wish to give notice that this is the first part of my appeal and the rest will follow later on A4 paper when I receive the report.
When the ESA 85 assessment report finally does arrive then you can study it, scrutinise every lie the ATOS DR said about you then write the rest of your appeal on A4 paper, describing your functional ability in relation to the workplace, how far you can walk etc, when you are satisfied make sure you copy it and send by recorded delivery, this is so they cannot say they never received it. at least you can prove you sent it.
How you word it all is up to you, the point is to get it across to them that you are appealing on an official form (GL24) and the rest will follow on A4 paper when you finally get round to sending me the ESA 85.
Next step, is to get a sick line from your GP dated from the date the DWP said on their letter to you that you were fit for work, and attache it on to a letter along with your appeal form, on the letter just put something like, I understand that to receive the assessment rate while I wait for my appeal to be heard I will be required by law to supply your office with a sicknote, please find attached to this letter one sick note dated from such and such, and also my GL24 appeal submission, again the wording is up to you, I’m just giving you the main gist.
Next step is to contact your local welfare rights or the CAB and explain that you are appealing a DWP fit for work decision and can they help, they will help you the best they can.
That is it basically, sorry for the long winded explanation, but it’s not easy to understand what is going on until it’s explained in detail.
Take everything in stages and you will find it is less stressful and easier to cope with, everything from now on is a waiting game,
Comment by dwpexamination — April 28, 2012 @ 7:33 am
Hi A Christian.
I forgot to mention, you can get great support and any questions answered at the forum http://www.dwpexamination.org from people who have been where you are countless times, they can help as well with appeals and what to do next etc.
Comment by dwpexamination — April 28, 2012 @ 7:42 am
Hi! Thank you so much for this. I will need to print it out and read it. I am having problems reading which makes it harder.Just want to commend you for taking a stand and doing this website. I am so appalled with everything I have seen going on lately – I am signed up to you on facebook aswell – I know there are people worse than me that are getting zeros – it seems like the system is designed to just wipe us all out. I felt so weak at the knees when I got the letter but having had time to think a bit I feel really strongly that I need to take action and fight them for justice for the benefit of me and for everyone else that has been on the receiving end of this inhumane system!
Anthea
Comment by A Christian — April 29, 2012 @ 3:49 pm
Hello Anthea.
Remember I said to go in to the Job centre and get a GL24, well I can tell you my experience because I’m appealing right now, and I didn’t need to send the GL24, read on and I will explain.
As I said, the best thing to do is write a letter and explain you wish to appeal and could you send me the ESA 85 and a GL24, and at the same time get the GL24 from the job centre, well I carried out the first part but I delayed sending the GL24 appeal because I wanted to see the ESA 85 assessment report first, well it turns out they sent me a letter back saying that since I’m appealing and sent in a sick note (in order to comply with the law) they will pay me the assessment rate as soon as possible and if I have any further evidence they will consider it to see if they can allow my appeal there and then.
Of course they will reconsider nothing, this is just a ploy to take my mind of the ESA 85 and I will not be falling for that, so I have prepared another letter and this time I have informed them and acknowledged with thanks for accepting my appeal and since you are paying me the assessment rate then you acknowledge receipt of my sicknote as well, and also the fact that my appeal has started, but before I can write out the rest of my appeal I wish to see the ESA 85 and can you forward me it immediately.
As I said they are going to re-consider nothing it’s just a con, and since they have accepted my appeal has started and conceded the assessment rate then waiting for the ESA 85 is no problem because I can send the second part of the appeal when it suits me and not them, because there is no time limit now because they have accepted my appeal.
So get the GL24 but keep it to see if they contact you before the month is out, if so you can follow me as above, if not then you have lost nothing but just carry on and fill in the GL24 form and mention that since they haven’t sent you the ESA 85 then please don’t accept this as my main appeal, but just the start in order to comply with the Monthly deadline the rest of the appeal will follow when you have forwarded me the ESA 85 report, because obviously I cannot submit the full appeal until I have had time to read and study the ESA 85 in order to get a full idea on what I’m actually appealing against.
As I said everything is done in stages to keep stress levels to a minimum. If anything is unclear then let me know.
Comment by dwpexamination — April 29, 2012 @ 4:56 pm
Hi! thanks for your help with this. I have a few more questions. Lots of questions!
Firstly – what if you have already sent in all you medical evidence – it all went in with the WCA – and the Atos doctor had copies of it when I went to the assessment. Do you have to send it all in again.
What happens when you have sent in your appeal do the DWP reassess it and is it possible they will change their decision or more likely they will push it further to a tribunal?
If you lost an appeal do you have to pay back the appeal rate money that they paid you up to the appeal?
If you win an appeal – how long before the next time they call you for an assessment? Are they making people keep going back to Atos?
With regard to claiming benefits – what if you lost an appeal does it affect you ability to claim benefits again – do they hold it against people if they have not appealed or appealed and lost?
I am sorry to grill you with all these questions….but I have never been here before but I need to know as much as I can to be prepared!
Comment by A Christian — May 4, 2012 @ 4:29 am
Howdy A Christian.
First of all you are no longer dealing with ATOS (Unless you want to make a complaint against them) you are in the hands of the DWP now and this is what I can tell you. It’s been our experience that ATOS do not send your medical evidence to the DWP decision maker, and please do not take this the wrong way, but it seems to me that you are not getting the message yet, they want you off benefits and therfore off the sickness figures, they are prepared to lie cheat and fabricate medical assessments which as you know is breaking the law so ask yourself why would they send evidence on your behalf to the DWP ?, evidence that contradicts what they have just told you and compromises their recent decision to find you fit for work ? could you tell me one single reason why they would do that ?.
Secondly it’s possible they may change their decision, but the evidence would have to be more than overwhelming, it’s more likely and the majority of peoples experience that they will forward to the tribunal.
If you lose your appeal then you pay them back nothing, not one single penny, you just don’t get the working component rate backdated that’s all.
If you win an appeal they usually call you back within a couple of months, and yes they are making people keep going back to ATOS, because they reason that your brain cancer, lung cancer may disappear or your legs that were amputated may grow back in.
Again if you lose an appeal they just tell you to sign on, but you can make a new claim for ESA (They do not hold it against you, and neither are they allowed too) though instead of signing on, subject to a couple of easily met conditions, the first condition is that six months has to pass when you were informed you were fit for work, since it is taking more than six months for the appeals to be heard then that part is easily met, and the other condition is that your health has to be worse or you have a new health condition, plenty of people have failed at a tribunal and just made a new application for Employment and support allowance.
Comment by dwpexamination — May 4, 2012 @ 6:35 am
Hi! Thanks for this. That is interesting. The lady that assessed me at Atos told me that she would send the DWP all my medical evidence and I specifically asked her about it and she told me ‘she had flipped through it’ and that the DWP would be given it. I phoned the DWP after the exam and another lady answered who got very cross with me for asking if they had received it and was really rude and aggressive. I was horrified as all I did was simply to ask if they had got everything they needed and I got shouted down. I made the mistake of not telling them how bad I was on my worst days on my form.
Comment by A Christian — May 4, 2012 @ 5:19 pm
Hi A Christian.
The reason she got cross, rude then aggressive was because (Besides being an ignoramus) you had pinned her down, they do not have your medical evidence believe me, but now that you have phoned and inquired they may panic and try and see if they can receive it, they can do it, but if they do it’s not for your benefit.
(PS) No pun intended.
Comment by dwpexamination — May 4, 2012 @ 5:47 pm
Hi! It is pathetic isn’t it. I have just found a link to the WCA handbook – found it on another forum I was looking at and having read it I have seen glaring discrepancies between what they handbook says and what my experience of the medical was like. I wonder if I should also add those bits and refer to the WCA handbook. The handbook gives advice to Atos on how to avoid mistakes in the report that could cause a tribunal to undermine their evidence. Have you seen this book before? I think that I have seen a mistake that has been written in my report that could be worth drawing attention to. I am still waiting for the assessment report. Starting to get my solicitor hat on now. I used to work for the government as an enforcement officer – not for the DWP though
Comment by A Christian — May 5, 2012 @ 12:29 am
Hello A Cristian.
I think your beginning to get the message, yes we have it on the useful links page of the forum http://www.dwpexamination.org, they don’t even follow their own guidelines on their own DWP handbook.
There’s absolutely no reason why you can’t or shouldn’t mention these mistakes, as long as it’s done politely as in ”may I remind you that on the DWP handbook it says etc etc.
Rather than (And by the way there must be hundreds of them) I told that idiot of a Doctor etc etc..LOL.
By the way, there’s usually at least half a dozen mistakes, sometimes a dozen, the more you look at an ESA 85 assessment report the more mistakes you’ll see.
Comment by dwpexamination — May 5, 2012 @ 5:19 am
Hi there,I wish I found this earlier as it would have save me with alot of trouble, as I had to go to a ATOS last months because of my mental illness I’am suffering from depression and anorexia with bulimic phases,this ATOS doctor asked me alot of stupid question which has nothing to do with mental health, this so called doctors have no clue about mental health.
I just recieved the letter about my entitlement to ESA and it says that they are going to stop my benefits entitlement on the 30/05/2012,
it also has a assessment report which says about my Mental Functions-which states that I can manage to dress and wash my self…and that I’am not eating properly….erm I have a eating disorder….which they are nothing saying about…and that I’am only on mild antidepressions…and that I was able to attend to the assement on my own.
Coping with social situations- because I’am anxious of meeting people and my panic attacks…the doctor…says that I have not got a problem with socialising oder interacting with people and that I can walk around the supermarket and do my own shopping….Hello I live on my own…what elses can I do ?
They have twisted every single word what I told the ATOS doctor.
I phoned to them and this women was not very helpful.
And so I went yesterday to the Citizens Advice Bureue and made a appeal against their decision and I have got sick note from my GP but I don’t know if they will stop my benefits while I’am appeal then I’ll stay without money or if they still pay me but less.
They are cause me so much stress now and I don’t need that.
I’am going to let you know what happens.
with regards
Sonja
Comment by Sonja — May 10, 2012 @ 3:20 pm
Hello Sonja.
Make sure the DWP get that sicknote, and don’t forget to ask them for the assessment rate while you are waiting for the appeal to be heard.
Log in to the forum http://www.dwpexaminaion.org and any questions they will be glad to answer.
Comment by dwpexamination — May 10, 2012 @ 4:19 pm
Hi,the assessment points were 0,
I have a appointment tomorrow I’ll asked the lady to send the sick note and help to get the assessment reports because I really want to see it.
with regards
Sonja
Comment by Sonja — May 10, 2012 @ 4:48 pm
Hi All,
Have to say after reading about ATOS, can only agree, like others had so called medical, which was a waste of my time, the person did not introduce them selves, could have been the cleaner for all I know.
The medical followed almost the same as everyone else, did not take any notice of what I was saying, could have been talking to the wall.
Like other ESA was denied, am appealing, with CAB help, but not surprised that it was denied, like others have worked since I was 15, now 55, paid in to the system for 39 out of 40 years, what a joke, would have been better to have put the money into an ISSA account and would have more from the interest alone.
Thought the system we paid into was there to help when you are sick, but no.
Well now have to wait to see the outcome of my appeal.
Comment by ray — May 14, 2012 @ 12:21 am
Hello Ray.
At my recent medical assessment your post sounds like me word for word, no introduction, no badge and could have been the cleaner.
By the way, make sure you ask for the full ESA 85 assessment report, they are trying not to send them on to people these days, make sure you insist on getting one rather than the one page condensed version they hope you will accept.
Comment by dwpexamination — May 14, 2012 @ 5:45 am
Hi Thanks for replying, my view is they just could not careless, there view is if you are still breathing, there is nothing wrong with you, know doubt, when your in your wooden box they will even check that to make sure.
Sadly now they are starting on the disabled, using no doubt ATOS again, what a nasty country we have become.
The ESA 85 assessment report, have a report called ESA65 which is 3 pages long, tells you nothing really, think this the condensed version.
many thanks for your info, and hope you get a better result than me, but don`t hold your breath.
Comment by ray — May 14, 2012 @ 6:43 am
Ray.
That’s what they are sending people now the ESA 65 rather than the ESA 85, the reason why is simple, far too many people are winning their appeals, so they have had a rethink, why not limit the assessment information we give them and make it as difficult as possible to launch an appeal, after all if we limit their information then how will they know what they are appealing against…That’s what you call a shower of Bastards.
Comment by dwpexamination — May 14, 2012 @ 6:59 am
Hi,the problem is with me appealing against their dicision is that I’am going to move back to Germany for good on the 4.July the reason for that is that my father died last and my mother is on her own.
And so I went to the Jobcentre on Friday to asked them for some advice,the women asked me why are you appealing when you are moving back to Germany because it will take up to 9 months for a Appeal Hearing,I asked what Benefits I could claim as I need the money for the final bills BT,Electrity etc she said to me well because I have a mental health problem and have a sicknote from my GP I won’t be able to claim Jobseeker Allowance because for you need to be well enough for a job which you are not…the she said yes…do the appeal.
I also ask the women at the JCP if I could fill in a Statement were I’am asking for the medical assessment reports which I did and the women gave me a copy of that Statement and my sicknote from my GP.
My worries is now what is going to happen if the DWP don’t accept my appeal…my last payment will be by the 30.05.2012 and then it would have been on the 12.06.2012 which I won’t be paid….then I’ll stay without money and I won’t know how to pay the final bills…ooh I know what I do I’ll tell the BT,EDF and the Council to send all the final bills to the DWP because they are the ones who are stopping my benefit money.
I phone to the DWP explaining that I’am moving back to Germany for good on the 4.05.2012 and therefor I’am going to stop the benefits anyway why could they not leave it just like how it is for now and the not friendly DWP women said to me we can’t do that as it is not our problem it is your business.
I’am thinking of getting in touch with my local MP which we have 2 of them,the 1 is Sir Malcom Leslie Rifkind and the 2 is Greg Hands and both they are tories…but would it be worth by doing so ?
But then I have to try everthing I can do to fight this DWP before they are stopping my money as I got only 1 1/2 months till I go back to Germany…there putting me through so much stress now this DWP and I don’t need that right now.
And then when I’am going back to Germany I have to go too the Germany Social Service…in another word I’am going from a soucepan to a frying pan….arrrgh you can’twin with them.
Comment by Sonja — May 14, 2012 @ 8:04 am
Hello Sonja.
Carry on with the appeal, send a sicknote and a GL24 appeal form and ask to be paid the assessment rate, tell them nothing about Germany, in fact tell the DWP nothing they don’t need to know, just carry on with the appeal and get some money.
There is no such a thing as the DWP refusing to accept your appeal, they can only say they have reconsidered your appeal and your appeal has failed, as soon as you get that letter (A standard letter by the way) then you send them a short letter back thanking them for reconsidering but you would like to appeal to the first tier tribunal anyway.
Worry about what happens in the future in the future, don’t worry about something that hasn’t even happened yet.
So to recap, carry on with the appeal because you have nothing to lose, and plenty to lose if you don’t carry on with the appeal, the assessment rate and your rent being paid now is one thing you could lose if you baulk now.
As for the German social service, I don’t know anything about them, would like to know something, for instance is it possible they can be worse than this present lot..?.
Comment by dwpexamination — May 14, 2012 @ 8:58 am
I have read on a German Forum who are against like you the German Social Service called Hartz 4…where people are getting abused and by worker from the Social Social Sercive I’am not paying from my money to feed your kids or for you food and bills and are refused access to their benefits or even denite to buy any beds or washing machine etc.
I went to a German Jobcentre to get some information about the benefits over there the first question from there was…do you have any savings,house and how much income does your mother have.
I said well…I don’t have any savings and as for the house it belongs to my mother and she lives on her widows pension.
And then next question was if your mother dies to whom belongs the house then and I knew that they will asked this question and I said to my sister and brother but I did not say that I will have some rights of that house too because if I would have done so I know I’ll be in trouble,because if my mother dies then they will say you don’t get any benefits because you have the house or they will say ok will take the money from the house which you have to sale.
The German Social Service have a new thing by putting everybody on a 1 Euro job let’s say like a £ 1 if you refuse it your benefits either will be cut or stop but many firms they don’t want to take on 1 Euro = £ 1 jobber because it is too much paper work.
And the best thing is if you do a 1 Euro = £ 1 job this 1 Euro = £ 1 will be taken out of your benefits as it counts for a income.
Comment by Sonja — May 14, 2012 @ 10:06 am
Hello Sonja.
Germany sounds as bad as here, maybe even worse, the whole of Europe is going to be Americanised…God save us…!!
Comment by dwpexamination — May 14, 2012 @ 10:56 am
The Euro has gone mad and i think as long we have this idiots in our parliaments like David Cameron or Mrs. Frau Maerkel in power then us little people are going to suffer btw they had a election in Germany and the German Tories Mrs.Maerkel lost a lot of Seats the German Labours with the Green Parties and a Party called Pirates have won alot of seat.
I think that there will be a big change very soon in Europe the sooner the better and we need it very fast.
Comment by Sonja — May 14, 2012 @ 11:18 am
Hello Sonia.
I like the pirates, I like the sound of them, a bit of swashbuckling is needed here as well’
A bit of Captain Morgan not JP Morgan..!!
Comment by dwpexamination — May 14, 2012 @ 1:55 pm
Do you agree or disagree that the disabled are bearing the brunt ?.
Click on the link below and cast your vote.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9263453/500000-to-lose-disability-benefit.html#pd_a_6225639
Comment by dwpexamination — May 14, 2012 @ 7:48 pm
Hi Thanks for in info re ESA 85, have sent off FOI form saying I want the full ESA 85,then I can see what I`m dealing with.
Yes agree what a nasty bunch of bastards.
But what can you expect from the Tories, if you not rich, as far as they are concerned, we can do as we please, this lot would be good in Nazi Germany.
Comment by ray — May 16, 2012 @ 7:28 pm
@Ray…I’am a German and I been here in the UK 23 years now and I’am about to go back for good to Germany and believe I’am going from soucepan to a frying pan because the Social Service over there is much more worse :/
Comment by Sonja — May 16, 2012 @ 7:40 pm
Hello Ray.
They have no mandate and do not have the support of the British people, they recognise this and are doing there worst because they know they will never be elected again, scum as far as I’m concerned.
Comment by dwpexamination — May 17, 2012 @ 5:42 am
God save you Sonja..!!
Comment by dwpexamination — May 17, 2012 @ 5:43 am
I wrote to Atos and made a complaint about the healthcare professional and atos did write back and said they had looked at my case and my argument. I said a lot of important info had not been mentioned and I stated what that was and I reiterated the letter from my Manager where I do voluntary work for around 1.5 hours a day where she stated quite clearly in the letter that I can not do more that that amount of work as I become absolutely drained and go all dizzy etc and often feel I shall crash,out. They sent the letter to the DWP and I then got an email from my MP to say he was sorry but the DWP had reassessed my situation and basically I had lost my appeal so now I have to go to tribunal. I also wrote to David Cameron telling him what I thought of this government and what would the European court of human rights say about the way we are being treated. I got a letter back from his office saying they would pass my letter on to the DWP and then I got this standard letter from the DWP about it is not what you can not do bla bla bla so there we have it.I am simply banging my head against a brick wall but onwards and upwards I will fight on.
Comment by Casimira — May 25, 2012 @ 9:50 am
Hi, why am I not surprised, if you have a Tory MP, it would be a waste of time writing to them.
As for ATOS, what I have been told they get £14,000 bonus for each person they get off ESA.
Comment by ray — May 25, 2012 @ 5:33 pm
I am not sure if that is correct about them getting a bonus as I asked someone employed by MIND, an expert in welfare rights and she stated that ATOS does not get a bonus so I wonder if she was right. I certainly am not sticking up for ATOS, I would love to sue them actually and I am sure it is in their interest to get us off benefits as no doubt the Government has given them targets and I read that the government is planning to get 500,000 off sickness benefits in the next couple of years which obviously they are partly achieving although 40 percent win their sickness benefits back in tribunals so I read
Comment by Casimira — May 25, 2012 @ 5:43 pm
And yes I do have a Tory MP, though I suppose he did email me half a dozen times which was something, not that it helped obviously because now I have to go to a tribunal
Comment by Casimira — May 25, 2012 @ 5:49 pm
I was thinking off writing to my local MP but I thoung we have 2 of them and they are both tories.
As the DWP going to stop my benefits and next week on the 30.may is the last payment and I don’t know what happens after that as I have not heared from the DWP.
Btw I have received a letter from the Council that they are going to stop my housing benefits and so went to the Council and I told them what is going on and that I’am appealing against the DWP decision and I had to fill a form because there is a change of circumstances…but I don’t if they will pay the housing benefits.
They are putting people through hell.
Comment by Sonja — May 25, 2012 @ 6:07 pm
It’s 70% winning their appeals if they are represented by welfare rights or the CAB Casimira.
Comment by dwpexamination — May 25, 2012 @ 8:09 pm
Hi re about the bonus, this I was told about by a friend, it was on the wright stuff on TV, this was daytime TV, which I never watch, friend phoned me up that evening, and told me.
Re about the appeal, am already doing this, and thanks to info and help from CAB, was told while you are appealing, your ESA payment restarts, hope that helps.
Comment by ray — May 25, 2012 @ 8:12 pm
Hi Ray yes thanks for that am getting esa lower rate while waiting appeal process and now waiting for info regarding tribunal. Just written again to DWP telling them “If I lose at tribunal and have to go on job seekers am I supposed to lie on application forms where it says do you have any health problems and how do they affect you? or should I tell the truth that after an hour or two I will go all dizzy and crash out in an employment, ( have done in 7 previous employments so it is nothing new except stress levels much worse now so can no longer attempt it!!!? Some how I do not think they will answer me do you!!!!!!
Yes I heard it was 70% winning appeal with the help of a welfare officer which is good
Comment by Casimira — May 25, 2012 @ 9:03 pm
BY the way you should always contact your MP no matter what party they are from after all even if they are Tory it is their party at the moment which is giving us grief and they need to know what they are putting us through. The more people who contact their MPs the more clout we will have so Sonja I think it would be a good idea even if he does not win your case for you. Mine got the Area Manager to ring me to calm me down, so if I have to go on job seekers I will demand to speak to the Area Manager and if they do not help me I will book to see my MP in person at his surgery. I will not give this fight up. Your family, my family and friends and I myself have paid into the welfare system so when I you or any of your family or friend are unwell it should be there to help us and not to rob the weak and vulnerable
Comment by Casimira — May 25, 2012 @ 9:14 pm
Hi yes agree with you, I like many others have paid into the system for many years, me since I was 15,
now 55, agree about MP, that is next thing to be done.
Like yourself, the minute you put down medical problems you have no chance.
Comment by ray — May 25, 2012 @ 9:41 pm
Hello Ray.
Logic tells us they must have a very strong incentive to carry out their dreadful work all over Britain with such zeal, there’s no greater incentive than money, believe it they get a remunerative bonus all right, and this person from MIND this so called expert on welfare rights is in my opinion a deluded fool if they actually believe that ATOS HCPs don’t get a bonus for every one they find fit for work..!!
Comment by dwpexamination — May 26, 2012 @ 6:47 am
Hello Casimira.
If you were in the unfortunate position of losing an appeal then there’s no need to sign on, you can just re-apply for ESA stating a new condition or a worsening of your old one, as long as six months have passed since last told by the DWP you were fit for work.
Comment by dwpexamination — May 26, 2012 @ 6:51 am
Oh thank you for that. I did not realise that. That is good to know. Any way I think the process of tribunal takes at least 6 months as there are so many of us!!!!
Comment by Casimira — May 26, 2012 @ 8:14 am
Hi according to my letter from CAB yes it takes 6 months, because of the amount of appeals, going in, thought this might ring alarm bells as to why so many appeals, and look at ATOS.
Remember that company A3E that was getting loads of money, and is now under investigation by the police.
Any company getting big fat bonus`s, is going to play fast and loose.
The more I`m finding out the more, it is not surprising me anymore.
Comment by ray — May 26, 2012 @ 7:43 pm
that should have been A4e
Comment by ray — May 26, 2012 @ 7:44 pm
My so called ESA85 i requested from the DWP beggars belief i feel it is not worth the paper it is printed on most of what i said she has put the opposite is also full of contradiction and supposition.I was physically and mentally abused as a child by my father I then was bullied severely at school and beyond into adulthood as a result i have suffered depression with anxiety and paranoia.Am in process of appealing.I was flabbergasted to find out from my doctor recently that these people(if you can call them that) who conduct these assessments are given TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY POUNDS for every individual they find as fit for work!!!.Well I hope this blood money causesthem nothing but misery.Keep up all the good work you are doing on behalf of us all.
Comment by Tony-30th May 2012 — May 30, 2012 @ 1:32 pm
Hello Tony.
They are not people, they are creatures, like creatures of the night, blood suckers. £250 every assessment ? It wouldn’t surprise me.
Comment by dwpexamination — May 31, 2012 @ 4:58 am