Home visit from ATOS on Wednesday 6th

This is my first post on here. I will be 68 in a months time and my DLA will end and I've applied for PIP. On Wednesday (6th) I will be having a home assessment with ATOS and I am sooo nervous. I have been housebound for 2 years and 4 weeks ago had a Colostomy op. so in the process of a big learning curve! The Colostomy is because 2 years ago a lot of my bowel died and had to be removed which left me in an embarrassing situation. I also have arthritis in my spine, feet and hands which makes the colostomy awkward and needing assistance, Fibromyalgia, Anxiety/Depression and Schizo Effective disorder or Bipolar, the psychiatrist wasn't sure which.

Looking through the info you have on here I think I could have made a better job of filling the PIP form in, though I did cover most things.

I'm not sure where I stand if I am turned down. I had the Colostomy after I had sent in the form so obviously wasn't able to mention it. If I am turned down could I apply again and include all the new info in?

I am dreading Wednesday but at the same time looking forward to it being over.

HI Beshlie and Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is

Welcome to Benefits and Work

Our PIP guide has a section that explains what to expect from the face2face appointment.

PIP help for claimants

The assessors have been known to arrive on time, early, late - or not at all!

It is up to you to decide which room you wish the assessment to take place in. The assessor does not have the right to inspect the rest of your home (we have not heard of them asking to do so). You can also decide who you wish to have with you.


There is nothing to stop you from reapplying straight away if you are turned down for PIP.

You might want to bookmark/favourite this on your web browser now so that you can find it easily in future. That will allow you to return with further questions/comments about your PIP without having to start a new topic each time. It helps us enormously when everything relating to the same claim is kept in one place - and I hope you will find it useful too

If I am turned down could I apply again and include all the new info in?

I have just realised that you are now over 65 years of age. In which case I'm afraid you would not be able to make a new claim for PIP. Your only option would be Attendance Allowance if you exhausted the PIP avenue.

Hi, My husband is almost the same age as you. Hes also converting from DLA to PIP. We had our assessment today. We were both nervous. I think we did ok. Read and digest the guides off here, they are excellent. The lady from ATOS was very nice and I don't think she was there to catch us out.

Remember when they come tell them the truth, but how you are on you worse day.

Good luck

JLP wrote:
Remember when they come tell them the truth, but how you are on you worse day.

Good luck

We often hear this said but it is not advice that we ever give. If your condition is variable you should explain how you are on a bad day, on a good day and say how often these happen.