ATOS Untruths

My brother suffers with OCD, high levels of anxiety, depression, and struggles with day to day life. Following his removal from the Support Group he requested a mandatory reconsideration. The results of this reconsideration came through today.

The explanation for keeping my brother in WRAG is astounding. Even worse, important elements of the explanation are based on complete untruths! For example:

The report advises that on a specified day my brother was contacted, and that it was explained step by step to him as to why he wasn't placed in the Support Group... This never happened. In truth, my brother was told that someone would be calling to explain why he'd been placed in WRAG, but no call came. In the end my brother had to make a complaint to advise that no call had yet been made.

The report advises that during his assessment he was asked if he would ever act on thoughts of suicide and self-harm , and goes on to state that he confirmed he wouldn't... This is completely untrue.

A support letter from my brother's doctor is on its way to the DWP now, but giving the initial results of the reconsideration, we are concerned it will carry little weight - even be outright ignored

My brother was due to attend a work based interview a couple of days ago. With his anxiety rocketing out of control he was unable to attend. My brother contacted the Benefits Centre to explain that he could not attend due to his illness. The Benefits Centre simply arranged the interview again for today. As expected, he was still unable to bring himself to go, scared of becoming ill and losing control. The Benefits Centre are now unwilling to make another appointment. What will happen to his benefit, we'll have to see. If someone suffers will high levels of anxiety and depression how can they be expected to behave as though all is well? This system is grossly unfair and completely unsympathetic to those that need support.

Today, my brother contacted our MP again who agreed to contact our Benefits Office to ask that they look at my brothers case again. With a call from our MP, a Doctors Support Letter sent a couple of days ago, and another currently being written we are hoping a difference can be made.

Hi Bb,

Have you requested that the WFI's are carried out over the phone?

You cannot insist on this, but it is an option.

You may find a previous post of mine Here , interesting.

Even though this was with respect to a WPP, as a Public Service Provider the DWP also have to comply with EA 2010.

bro58

Following the Benefits Centre advising that they weren't sure whether they could continue to pay my brother's benefit after he couldn't turn up for work based interviews, he received a call...

They advised that they would make a Home Visit. But my mum took this call, so it's not clear whether this home visit is 'work based' or whether it's some kind of assessment to gauge his ability to work?

If it's a work based interview of sorts it will be pointless. My brother feels very strongly that participating in work based interviews or meetings of any kind is an acknowledgement of him being fit for work, which is something that he is not.