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ESA assessment

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9 years 4 months ago - 9 years 4 months ago #126374 by hugh mann
ESA assessment was created by hugh mann
Your wonderful guides helped me to get into the ESA support group. Thanks a million.
Now I have my 1st f2f assessment next week & asked for it to be postphoned as want/need a home assessment. Atos said they need a gp lettter before it can be postphoned & then upto 3 weeks only of telling them. The gp receptionist last week said my regular gp is on leave & not back in time to write it. They only give apptts in 2 weeks time & don’t do home visits or phone consultations so can’t help me! I’m wondering:
1. Am I entitled/ have a (legal) right to posphone itt once or can Atos force me to attend next week?
2. If I can get a sick note for next week will I still have to attend it?
3. If I can get a appt to see my gp (who quite unsupportive) & he requests a home assessment, who is it forward to – Atos/ DWP/ both?
4. By fax/email/both?
5. What are their contact details please?
Sorry for all the questions, getting extremely anxious, any info much appreciated.
Last edit: 9 years 4 months ago by .

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9 years 4 months ago - 9 years 4 months ago #126378 by
Replied by on topic ESA assessment
Hi,

Welcome to Benefits and Work :)

If your forum name is also your real name, you may wish to change it to maintain some anonymity.

This can be done quite easily by following the instructions on this FAQ :

My full name is showing, how can I stop it?

I will try to answer your queries :

1. You are allowed to rearrange a face to face "medical" Once.

You do not need a G.P. letter or fit/sick note to rearrange, and should be able to do this by contacting ATOS by e-mail via the direct link under WCA Customer Service: to the right of this page : www.atoshealthcare.com/claimants

I recommend e-mail so that you have a written record of your request, and that ATOS have agreed to rearrange, if that is the case.

2. A "sick note" in itself is not necessary, as previously advised. Remember you are already classed as "unfit for work and work related activity" in that you are deemed to have Limited Capability for Work Related Activity. (in the SG)

Unless you can gain written confirmation from ATOS that they are to rearrange, and you do not have to attend the current appointment, failure to attend "without good cause" may result in your ESA payments ceasing.

3. ATOS generally state that G.P.'s should FAX them with such letters of support regarding a claimant's inability to attend a "medical".

I would imagine that your G.P. practice will have ATOS's FAX details, although you could request them when you contact ATOS.

4. & 5. See above.

So you have been misinformed, you are allowed to rearrange once with ATOS, see this extract :

"Unable to attend an assessment.

Please contact us as soon as possible if you are unable to attend your assessment. If your appointment is for a Work Capability Assessment we can rearrange your appointment on one occasion. If you are unable to attend for a second time the DWP ask us to issue you with a form, on which you can explain the circumstances to the DWP."


From this page : www.atoshealthcare.com/claimants/before_your_assessment

bro58
Last edit: 9 years 4 months ago by .

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9 years 4 months ago - 9 years 4 months ago #126387 by hugh mann
Replied by hugh mann on topic ESA assessment
Thanks so much for your wise words bro58.
My advocate didn’t email but called Atos & they cancelled the appt. for one later. Huge relief…
Forgot about their fax no. do you have it please as too anxious to call them (in case gp say they don’t have it) as she also gott me gp appt?
Atos also said it can’t be recorded! So can I use my own equipment to audio record it due to poor memory & concention? If yes, do I have to get Atos consent?
Cheers.
Last edit: 9 years 4 months ago by Gordon.

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9 years 4 months ago #126389 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA assessment
HM

You need the fax number of the ATOS office dealing with your assessment, I'm afraid the only way to get it is to ring the customer relations number and ask, alternatively you can email them for the information.

Phone: 0800 2888 777 or 0113 230 9175

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

You can make a covert recording of the interview, however, ATOS assessors will usually terminate the appointment if they find that they are being recorded without permission, as this would be your final appointment this could result in your claim being closed for failing to participate, so you should only do this if you are sure that you can do so without arousing suspicion.

You can overtly record it providing you can provide two recording devices that ATOS are satisfied can produce identical recordings, you can only use tape or CD, no digital recorder will be acceptable, you must notify ATOS in advance and they can still withhold permission.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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