Confused about ATOS

[LynneMcV]

Way back last May I filled in a Personal Independence Payment form / questionnaire for my husband.

Yesterday (Friday, late in the day) we finally received a phone call from ATOS for a home visit. They wanted to come this Monday - but I had to turn them down as I work and really can't drop everything at such short notice - plus my husband would have had to miss the early-onset group he loves to attend once a fortnight.

"Not to worry" said the cheerful lady who called, "it was very short notice. We'll write to you and offer you another date."

I asked what the home visit would involve and was told that it is just a questionnaire.

I've already filled out a questionnaire I said. In the PIP questionnaire I had to list all that my husband can do and what he needs help with (though some of that has gone downhill since last May).

I asked if he would need to show what he can or can't do.

"No - nothing like that" said the lady. "It's just a questionnaire. There's not event a physical."

Well, maybe I am being a bit slow - but I had really thought that the next stage of my husband's assessment would have been something more than another questionnaire - I was expecting them to observe how he manages things - or how he doesn't.

I've told my husband that ATOS will just be having a chat and going through some questions. I hope that is the case, I'll be really annoyed if they start making him try to 'perform' tasks without me having had time to reassure him first.

Has anybody else had a visit from ATOS which only required going through a questionnaire?

This is purely in relation to PIP - my husband doesn't receive, nor has he claimed for any other kind of benefits.

 

[lin1]

I hope someone who has been through PIP assessments will be along soon.

They sure have made you wait along time.

 

[AlsoConfused]

Sorry, I'm very suspicious about ATOS.

As the appointment hasn't been finalised yet, please speak to any informed advisor (eg a friend who works as a CAB Advisor?) and find out what the (standard)questions will be and what the ATOS representative will "infer" from those answers. You may well be amazed by the wrongheaded inferences the ATOS rep could be drawing from what sound like harmless questions. If necessary, be prepared to challenge questions and correct answers.

Insist on the appointment being taped (it's the ATOS rep's responsibility to provide the taping equipment and copies of the tape). Staff have not always completed their forms accurately and claimants have suffered accordingly.

Hopefully all will be above board and everything will be done accurately and professionally. It still makes sense to take precautions in case there are failings.

 

[garnuft]

ATOS do assessments on behalf of the DWP, they're not interested in anything other than making their assessment on a claimant. Their information goes to the Decision Maker at the DWP.

Alsoconfused is right, you can ask that the interview is recorded (you can't demand it, it's not a legal entitlement) but, as they take pains to state, this could slow down your claim but if one qualifies all claims will be back-dated...sounds like their way of trying to deter people from requesting recorded interviews to me.

ATOS... private business in our welfare system.

http://www.atoshealthcare.com/pip/

http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2013/june/audio-recording-wca-assessments

If you're worried (as you must be, it's hateful having to apply for benefits in the first place) try to get some help from your Social Services welfare rights advisor...ours has been an absolute Angel and Warrior... all disguised as one little Liverpudlian lass.

Or ask the Alzheimers Society for some help...it's what they're there for (or should be) Carers UK, Age UK, Citizens advice...ask for an advocate to meet you and your husband before the assessment and to be present while it is taking place if at all possible.

If you or your husband are/were in a Trade Union it will be worth contacting them for help and advice, they have welfare assistants that will be able to help you.

Good luck.

P.S. Just noticed...the Disability Rights UK site states
"There are no plans to offer audio recording to PIP claimants. The Department intends to look closely at the Employment and Support Allowance experience and is evaluating the impact of audio recording, before taking any decisions on whether to include it as part of the PIP process in the longer-term. - See more at: http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/n...ecording-wca-assessments#sthash.CUULC5gL.dpuf "

 

[worriedson1]

ATOS are beneath Contempt, I have had plenty of dealings with them and iam waiting to go to tribunal for to see if i can get P.I.P.


http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/201...ummond-disability-benefits-dwp_n_1911928.html

 

[Kevinl]

They're called ATOS but they don't give ATOS about anyone but the shareholders,
They are stopping doing this business anyway, delay and see what the new system is.
K
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26766345

 

[garnuft]

Aye but Kevin... they won't really go until we chuck them out.

Atos will continue to carry out the assessments in Northern Ireland under a separate contract.

It will also continue with assessments for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - another welfare change introduced by the government - in Scotland, the north of England, London and the south of England.

Another company, Capita, provide PIP assessments in central England, Wales and Northern Ireland

 

[avril]

Way back last May I filled in a Personal Independence Payment form / questionnaire for my husband.

Yesterday (Friday, late in the day) we finally received a phone call from ATOS for a home visit. They wanted to come this Monday - but I had to turn them down as I work and really can't drop everything at such short notice - plus my husband would have had to miss the early-onset group he loves to attend once a fortnight.

"Not to worry" said the cheerful lady who called, "it was very short notice. We'll write to you and offer you another date."

I asked what the home visit would involve and was told that it is just a questionnaire.

I've already filled out a questionnaire I said. In the PIP questionnaire I had to list all that my husband can do and what he needs help with (though some of that has gone downhill since last May).

I asked if he would need to show what he can or can't do.

"No - nothing like that" said the lady. "It's just a questionnaire. There's not event a physical."

Well, maybe I am being a bit slow - but I had really thought that the next stage of my husband's assessment would have been something more than another questionnaire - I was expecting them to observe how he manages things - or how he doesn't.

I've told my husband that ATOS will just be having a chat and going through some questions. I hope that is the case, I'll be really annoyed if they start making him try to 'perform' tasks without me having had time to reassure him first.

Has anybody else had a visit from ATOS which only required going through a questionnaire?

This is purely in relation to PIP - my husband doesn't receive, nor has he claimed for any other kind of benefits.

HI, When I had my PIP assessment over a year ago, I had the other company, forget the name, but it wasn't ATOS. The woman who came was really good, she knew a lot about dementia, she was an ex nurse. She was with us for approx. 1. 1/2 hrs, she picked up on things that me or my husband hadn't noticed. She asked me to count back from 100, asked me who the prime minster is, the date, month year and many other questions, I got very frustrated because I didn't know some of the answers, but she took time to reassure me. The problem was that it took months after before I received notification of payment. On the other hand my daughter who has learning difficulties and autistic, was turned down by DLA after receiving this for years and going through tribunals, applied for PIP waited about 6mths then out of the blue had phone call to say they were coming to see her the day after. She couldn't get hold of her social worker till the end of the day, her social worker phoned and asked for another apt. 2 months later she had a letter to go to an assessment centre in the next town about an hour away. They were there for 2hrs going through the form they had filled in. none of the questions I had. But they were very quick with the response, she heard with in 2 weeks and the back pay was in her account. With mine and my daughters we asked for copies of the reports sent to DWP from ATOS and the other I cant remember. I was awarded enhanced payment in care and mobility for 3yrs and my daughter got enhanced care and average mobility for 10yrs.

 

[JigJog]

Hi Lynne,

I have already been through this with my husband, last April.

I worried about it so much; so many sleepless nights. Would they ask him to do practical things? Would it be stressful? How would he cope? Would he say he was fine and there wasn't a problem? With hindsight there was nothing at all to worry about.

Like you, I had filled in a questionnaire beforehand, so couldn't see the point of another one, face to face.

The lady dealing with the interview from ATOS was very kind and sensitive and put us both at ease straight away. She was an ex-nurse.

She had a questionnaire on her laptop and what she was trying to do, was to match my husband to these specific levels:

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

She said that she was aware that things may have changed since filling in the original questionnaire because of the long wait and just needed an accurate, up to date assessment. Like your husband, mine had deteriorated considerably since applying and the interview.

Once she had done that, it would be decided on his points score and from there, the rate which he would be paid.

I'd already seen these levels before the interview, so I already had in mind what to say, to explain as best I could, what level he was functioning at. I think having done this, really speeded things up and we were finished very quickly; less than half an hour. She certainly wasn't trying to catch him out or be devious.

We were sent a copy of the notes within a couple of weeks, with back payment in his account at about the same time.

I hope this reassures you. Please reassure your husband too. It was very non-threatening and not at all stressful. It was done just like 'a chat' but she was clearly matching him to these levels.

Good Luck. Let us know how it goes

 

[LynneMcV]

Thank you everyone for your very helpful feedback.

I am so sorry I didn't respond earlier. I did actually get to the point of posting a reply - but then something went wrong with my computer and I lost everything I had written individually back to people - and I just didn't have the time to draft again from scratch

I've continued to have computer problems - so this time I will just keep it brief.

Having gone through all the posts and links provided, I feel much less stressed about the situation and more prepared for what we are going to face.

JogJog your post was particularly reassuring and the link re. specific levels was very useful - looking through the points it looks like my husband should qualify for something.

I hope that the person they send to assess my husband has some knowledge of dementia - it sounds like they probably will. I do feel much more relaxed knowing more about the process now.

Thanks again everyone. I don't have an appointment date yet - but I will let everyone know how it all goes.

 

[LynneMcV]

Received our appointment letter yesterday - they've book Christmas Eve (like I won't already have enough going on!)

Still, on the bright side, they will come to the house rather than us having to travel to them.

Will be glad just to have it done and dusted now after waiting since last May

 

[JigJog]

Hi Lynne,

Thanks for letting us know.

Just read up on those levels beforehand and then you'll be able to steer things to go the way you need them to go - and don't worry. You'll be fine.

Good luck.

Let us know how it goes - well perhaps after Christmas

JJ x

 

[LynneMcV]

Well the dreaded Christmas Eve visit from Atos is over. All in all it went ok. The young lady who turned up wasn't particularly an expert on dementia but she was aware that it was a condition which gets worse over time, that abilities can fluctuate from day to day - and, as she had read the original form we sent back in May, she was aware that my husband needed time to try and grasp the questions and to formulate some kind of response - so he didn't feel under any kind of pressure in that respect.

It was pretty evident as the interview progressed exactly where my husband's difficulties are and they were all in line with what had been said in the original application back in May - and in some circumstances, were a little worse.

I was a bit surprised that she didn't want to take away the latest assessment we had from the Memory Clinic (as further evidence) which showed that since we completed the original application his mini mental test score had dropped from 26 to 22 - as well as confirming that he had to give up his voluntary work at the charity shop in August due to no longer being able to cope with money and customers (particularly the rude, bolshy ones who felt he wasn't fast enough for them!)

I suppose it doesn't really matter - she did make a note that he'd had to give up his shop work due to the stress and she was more than satisfied that he was unable to carry out financial transactions when she carried out a couple of simple tests - so, that will form part of her report anyway.

I don't know how long it will take now. They quote 4-8 weeks but she said it is usually a quicker turn around than that - though of course we are bang in the middle of Christmas and New Year with folk off work, so that will cause a bit of a backlog.

Just glad it is over and done with. Now for the waiting game

 

[JigJog]

Thanks for letting us know Lynne. Glad it wasn't too bad.

My OH received payment after a couple of weeks, so you're right, perhaps with Christmas and New Year, it shouldn't be too long.

We noticed the money appear in his account before we got the letter advising us and it was backdated to application date.

Keep us posted.

JJ x

 

[briana]

im a little confused with this p I p ,,,,, I applied on behalf of c. ( my hubby )already on dla but his condition has deteriated. (spelling?)
I telephoned them in October to ask for a form the usual questions were asked about him.. and I waited for the forms,,,,,,, and waited ,,,,,,and waited,,,,,
Beginning of December I telephoned them again to ask about applying for pip and why I wasn't sent the application forms,, to be told "oh sorry I cannot understand why you haven't been sent the forms , I,ll deal with it" so I,ve waited,,,,,,and waited,,,,, and yep still haven't received them????
Do you have to fill in the forms to be awarded? they did ask an awful lot of questions when I first applied via phone. Why haven't I received the forms? strange eh,, Im not very good at benefit application's, our support worker and social worker usually help me. Any ideas? bb x

 

[Brannybob]

Hello Lynne, we must be so lucky, took 2 hours to fill in the form with help from are local carers association, took 3 months a letter from are doctor, we had no assessment and where awarded enhanced and standard, the filling in of the form is the most important thing and takes alot of time, this is where you need specialist help, hubby was to young for age concern, but try your local carers.x

 

[LynneMcV]

Update on ATOS assessment

Well today the decision about my husband's PIP application arrived - and he has been awarded the enhanced rate for both the daily living component and the mobility component.

I was surprised that the decision came through so quickly considering he was assessed on Christmas Eve - I was expecting it to take a bit longer due to all the annual leave people take around Christmas and New Year.

My husband is teetering between being happy at having been awarded PIP - and shocked that he was assessed at the enhanced rate (he accepts that he has dementia but has no idea how much he relies on others to be able to do many of the things that he does).

For myself, I am feeling both pleased and relieved that the process is over and that the award has been made. Weirdly I also feel quite deflated by the fact that he has been awarded the enhanced rate for both components.

I know that he has been on a downward spiral. Even since his assessment on Christmas Eve he has gone downhill more - but I still had it in my head that he would probably get the enhanced rate for daily living but the standard rate for mobility. I suppose this is because he is physically very mobile and I had buried my head in the sand a bit about the amount of help he actually needs in order to travel around, follow directions, plan a journey etc.

Even though I used the useful online self-test for PIP (thanks JigJog!) and it clearly indicated that my husband was at the enhanced level for both components, I still brushed it aside, telling myself that the test must be flawed in some way and that at the very most my husband couldn't be more than than the standard rate.

So now we have the decision and it is there in black and white. No more hiding or burying the true extent of the condition and the affects it is having.

Apparently the benefit will be reviewed in a couple of years. I have no idea why. If my husband is on the maximum rate now he can't be assessed for more - and as we all know only too well, people with dementia do not show signs of improvement two years down the line.

I am happy for my husband and that the money will be there to help him enjoy his life - but I am also feeling a bit down, yet glad that an outsider was able to pinpoint what I didn't want to admit. I'm thankful that the financial help is there - yet sad that we are even in this situation.

Tomorrow a lump sum will arrive in my husband's bank account backdated until last April and I will begin the process of looking for the best way to invest it for him so that he can get as much out of this much needed but also much unwanted benefit.

 

[JigJog]

Hi Lynne,

Thanks for the update. I was wondering how it was all going for you. A time of mixed emotions isn't it? But at least you can put this whole process to bed for a couple of years, and get on with helping your husband to make best use of this 'much needed' but 'much unwanted' benefit.

Best Wishes to you. Keep posting.
JJx

PS Remember to apply for your reduction in Council Tax now, if you haven't already.

 

[AlsoConfused]

So pleased that the ATOS assessment experience was painless and positive.

I do understand how being reminded of the extent of disability would be depressing ... but it's so much easier to live with its consequences if there are a few extra pennies to ease the path. All best wishes ...

 

[LynneMcV]

Thanks all.

Just to make sure I don't get too relaxed, the payment failed to get paid into my husband's account yesterday as stated in the letter from DWP.

Hopefully it will be in there on Monday - I really don't want to be chasing them for it. Nothing is ever as simple as it seems is it?