2 Year Wait!

So I phoned the DWP and after some convincing I got the call handler to ask someone to call me back. It was about 10 minutes later, it was a team leader, her name was Jessica, she wouldn't give me her last name, but she said she is the only Jessica at that particular call centre and gave me it's name. She then went on to tell me the following surprising statements:

- ATOS make the decisions not the DWP
- The ESA50 is irrelevant it's all based on the medical
- There's no point in having them send me new ESA50 and it's up to me if I fill out one or not
- They have no power to change the appointments I'd have to do it.
- The doctor who assesses me will have a copy of the ESA50, but she felt it wouldn't matter or prejudice him in any way.

She said a couple of other things but I was just so astounded, mainly by the fact the apparently the DWP make no decisions, even when I challenged her that all the medica coverage around ATOS and such says otherwise, that it was up to DWP she conceeded, well I suppose we type the letters. I've nearly completed my new ESA50 whether it will get to relevant parties in time I don't know, but I've done what I can on my end. My DLA434 finally arrived yesterday too so I'm making sure everything syncs up.

As I say I have her name and call centre, and I have my paperwork, I looked into writing to my MP via the link you provided but it seems my MP isn't the closest ally of disabled people. Is there anything else I should/could be doing.
Thanks again.

I was quite amazed too I must say. I made sure to to note the date and time as I know they record the calls so they must be able to have access to it if need be. I think a complaint might be a good idea as I don't know much but I know enough not to trust what she was saying. I have no idea how she got to be a team leader!

I don't really want to risk moving the appointment for a non-medical reason, because I could have an "unplanned medical incident" (as I like to call them) on my way to the second appointment and them I'm stuck. I'm hoping to have the form in the post tomorrow (I'm just waiting on the medical evidence from the hospital). I can take a spare copy for the doctor, not ideal I know, but I will have done my part and sent it, how long do you think it'll take them to receive it?

In that case I'll just crack on get the form complete, chase the secretaries for the evidence I'd like and drop it in the post. I'll ring ATOS and tell them what I've done and maybe they'll keep a lookout, or you never know maybe they'll decide to delay the medical and see sense!

Thank you for all your help and I'll let you know how it turns out.

Natt wrote: In that case I'll just crack on get the form complete, chase the secretaries for the evidence I'd like and drop it in the post. I'll ring ATOS and tell them what I've done and maybe they'll keep a lookout, or you never know maybe they'll decide to delay the medical and see sense!

Thank you for all your help and I'll let you know how it turns out.

Hi N,

If this is your first appointment for an ATOS "medical" and you wish to re-arrange it for a later date to give you more time, you would have to make a formal request for the re-arrangement.

I would keep all correspondence with ATOS in writing via e-mail, so that you have a paper trail.

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

Or you can contact them via : "WCA Customer Services" on their web page (on the right) :

www.atoshealthcare.com/claimants

bro58