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stroppy*cow · ‎28-08-2013

Thank goodness, common sense still does exist.

Just had a courtesy phone call from the DWP to say that eldest son is being swapped from incapacity benefit to Employment Support Allowance. He is being put in to the support group so he doesn't have to attend interviews at the job centre, and he is being given the longest possible review date (3 years).

No face to face interviews with ATOS, just a form to fill in about his financial circumstances.

Just hope that it goes as smoothly with youngest son.

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Some days I pray for silence
Some days I pray for soul
Some days I just pray to the god of sex and drums and rock 'n' roll

*elphaba* · ‎28-08-2013

Do you know, I think that is the first time I have seen 'common sense' and 'ATOS' used in the same post!

Delighted you found a human being without a screen full of tick boxes, Stroppy.

guardpig · ‎28-08-2013

Now that is good news Stroppy. There has to be at least the odd assessor with a brain - hasn't there? Oddly enough son is actually looking forward to his assessment if he gets one. I'm not but then I 'll be the one emptying the sick bucket.

Hope it goes as smoothly for your other son.

Waiting to hear about son's assessment. They take their time. Mind you since one of his conditions doesn't even exist according to their database their lives are probably being complicated by the requirement to read and understand technical data!. Have been strongly advised not to ask for DLA re-assessment early as they are apparently not assessing to the criteria their own website says they are. Not that it really matters as his hopes of going away to Uni have collapsed due to unthinking, uncaring jobsworth applying the rules exactly to the letter so he's staying at home and is hoping to do a distance learning course.

bitsnknots · ‎28-08-2013

Really happy for you and your son Stroppy. Had my tribunal hearing this morning and was given 6 points which is 6 points more than what ATOS gave me. The doctor was rather snotty and the judge wasn't much better. So I have start the whole process again now and wait I don't how long for another assessment with the dreaded ATOS.

guardpig · ‎28-08-2013

1step forward and 6 back then Books!. Why can't they work on what the tribunal said instead of getting ATOS involved again? Or was it your choice?.

Rang Council today because we are still arguing over telling porkies on blue badge form just to get to apply - he won't, I will.. Their solution? - fill their form in manually, send it in and if he meets their criteria he gets an assessment with a real live person!. Sounds hopeful, I think..

bitsnknots · ‎29-08-2013

Going down the ATOS route is not my choice but the choice of the powers that be. By the way, did you know that it is not a doctor that decides whether or not you are fit to work - it's the law that decides!!! That is what I was told yesterday. Anyway, off to check if they've paid me any money yet. Don't hold your breath.

mygreyangel · ‎29-08-2013

Following his 1st ATOS medical my brother was assessed as fit for work. We took it to appeal and in the mean time he was left on ESA (support group level), that meant for a number of months he had to trail backwards and forwards to meetings at Ingeus. More frequently than not he would get there only to find his support worker was off and the appointment had been cancelled.... only they hadn't bothered to let him know.

Igneus talked a good fight, including referring him for physio etc, got his hopes up and did absolutely nothing.

Fortunately, at the follow up medical he was deemed to be too ill for the support group (which is basically attempting to get you back into work, despite having been medically assessed as not fit for work). That now means they leave him alone except for when it comes up due for re-assessment every few years.

soft as velvet but comes with needle sharp claws

bitsnknots · ‎29-08-2013

Yippeee they've put some pennies into my account.

guardpig · ‎29-08-2013

Now that is a good surprise, Books.

Does anybody know: On the website it says you get 56.30 for the 1st 13 weeks and then 100+ after that. Does it actually mean that or does it mean you get that after a successful assessment.

Our Docs basic assessment was that nothing he has is ever going to get better so how long do you want a sick note for? They have known him since he was a tot, they have seen him nervously sitting in their office not communicating, they have never seen him alone, they have never seen him at his worst - in their opinion his incapacity for work is a no brainer. Ah well, we shall see.

Judging by the happenings on here son had better be charging his video camera. Be fun if they expected him to attend a back to work placement. Our MP would be receiving videos regularly - of him attempting to get there!!!

bitsnknots · ‎29-08-2013

i get sick notes for 2 months at a time. Don't know about how much your son will receive. Just been on the phone to request another claim form. Honestly, it's like the Spanish Inquisition. I thought they were going to ask what colour my mother's eyes were.

Good luck with your son's claim Guardpig.

guardpig · ‎30-08-2013

2 months!!! Son's forst one was for 2 months because that was the first one. New one was for 6 and please don't come back for more ticked!. Think we are a hopeless case round here LOL.