ATOS reluctant to "grant" a house visit for assess

Thanks again. Bought 2 cheap dictaphones from Ebay. Will sell them after I guess.

I called them today (ATOS) and although he mentioned the 2 day advance notice, but said a phone call is fine.

Ironically I was offered an assessment on Friday, really close to me.... but.... even though its only Wednesday today id doesn't count as giving them 2 days notice for Friday as the assessment centre closes at 3pm and they could not contact them in time today.

So.... in reality, it can be 3 days notice in practice for voice recording.

FYI:

Was told I can choose gender of person assessing me, but letter with appointment date is auto generated and have to call them to change the gender of assessor if its "wrong". They can put a note on system with the request for a particular gender but its not read by a human before the letter is printed. Might be important to people discussing very intimate health issues.

Once I get an appointment letter with a date and con5act them to say I want it recorded the assessor might say they wont allow that and ATOS will give you a different assessor, date and venue with an assessor that WILL let you record the interview....

Its almost as if they dont really like the idea of recording interviews....

The guy I talked to said they only provide recording equipment for ESA claims, NOT for PIP claims. He didnt know why.

Just bought 2 secondhand dictaphones in preparation and will now send a *letter* to them about recording request rather than call them. Thanks for the info on that.

Asked about qualifications of assessor too. I have neurological problems also mental health issues.

The assessor doesn't have to be qualified apparently as they are only seeing how the conditions affect you to gather more info.

I sent 10 hand written pages together with my completed claim form (already on DLA by the way) together with 250 pages of past medical info I got from my docs. Apparently all that is still not enough info.

Amusing if it wasn't so tragic. I can see why so many people just dont claim or drop their claim.

I think the whole process is designed to put walls up in front of you...

Sorry for rambling on, but hope some of the info is helpful to someone out there.

Sorry, quick question.

The written permission I need from ATOS to record the assessment... can I ask for that even before getting a date for assessment?

I ask as I was told that I will only get thew letter 7 to 10 days before the date I am given for the assessment.

Thats a pretty short turn around period to get a letter from ATOS as I suspect they will not exactly be in any hurry to post it via Second class.

If I can get their permission before even being given the date it wont be cutting things so close. Im a terrible worrier and tend to dwell on details like this.

Boomer wrote: Sorry, quick question.

The written permission I need from ATOS to record the assessment... can I ask for that even before getting a date for assessment?

I ask as I was told that I will only get thew letter 7 to 10 days before the date I am given for the assessment.

Thats a pretty short turn around period to get a letter from ATOS as I suspect they will not exactly be in any hurry to post it via Second class.

If I can get their permission before even being given the date it wont be cutting things so close. Im a terrible worrier and tend to dwell on details like this.

Hi B,

Yes, you should contact ATOS and inform them that you wish to record your face to face as soon as possible, and I would even advise claimants to make such a request in writing, where appropriate along with The PIP 2 Form, rather than waiting to see whether they actually have to attend a face to face.

You can read more on "Recording Consultations" on this : ATOS Webpage

As you will see they advise that you contact their Customer Service Centre, for which there is an e-mail contact link to the top right of the same page.

They are pretty strict on the type of recording equipment that they allow, which is generally a dual deck CD or tape recording device which can record on two CD's /Tapes simultaneously so that you can hand the Assessor one of the copies at the end of the assessment.

bro58

Thank you again for all the help.
I shall take 2 tape dictaphones with me though Im aware that if ATOS wanted to be pedantic they could insist that as a single machine isnt recording both tapes and hence say they arent allowed. We shall see. However the ATOS call centre said dictaphones are ok... I wont mention the actual dictaphones in the letter, better to just turn up with them and hope they allow them I think.

A couple of other quick questions if I may.

When I write the letter tomorrow requesting the session to be recorded would it also be the best time to request/ inform them of:

1) My 18 year old son will be attending.

2) My request for a female assessor. Though I am a male all my psychologists/ psychiatrists over the years have been female as some aspects of my mental health issues are easier to talk about when not discussed with a man.

As ever,

Thank you.

Hi again

Yes I think its a good idea to mention the female assessor in writing so they can't say they weren't aware of it.
You do not have to notify them of a person accompanying you.

Well, got my assessment next week.

They were reluctant to provide proof of my request to record the assessment but I eventually got an email, so that will do if I print it out I suspect.

It also confirms my request for a female assessor.

Got to admit to being very nervous, glad my lad is coming with me.