Home visits/Home Assessment Atos

I'm a B + W member. I have an Atos Home visit on Tuesday. I receive DLA high rate for care and mobility indefinitely. I'm in Support Group. I have depression,anxiety,agoraphobia (for 8 yrs) fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis.
I'm naturally very nervous about the home visit and was wondering firstly, is there a seems film that offers advice and information about HOME VISITS BY A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL?
Secondly if you record the visit are you obliged to inform the HP?
Finally do they have the right to look around the house? As they don't do this for people able to attend an Assessment Centre.
I hope you're able to help me as not knowing what they do or are likely to do is taking its toll on me. Thank you.

Curlygirl1961 wrote: I'm a B + W member. I have an Atos Home visit on Tuesday. I receive DLA high rate for care and mobility indefinitely. I'm in Support Group. I have depression,anxiety,agoraphobia (for 8 yrs) fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis.
I'm naturally very nervous about the home visit and was wondering firstly, is there a seems film that offers advice and information about HOME VISITS BY A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL?
Secondly if you record the visit are you obliged to inform the HP?
Finally do they have the right to look around the house? As they don't do this for people able to attend an Assessment Centre.
I hope you're able to help me as not knowing what they do or are likely to do is taking its toll on me. Thank you.

Hi Cg1961,

Welcome to Benefits and Work Forum

I gather that your ATOS Home Assessment is in connection with your transfer from DLA to PIP.

ATOS do not offer an awful lot of Home Assessments, so this may be an indication that they have accepted that your limitations restrict your ability to travel to a PIP Consultation Centre.

That being the case, you should look on it as a positive !

No, there is no video or film of a "mock" Home PIP Assessment !

However, You can read what to expect at a PIP Face To Face from around Page 69 of our : PIP Claims Guide. (2nd Link down the page) if you haven't already done so !

You could also read through the latest version of : The PIP Assessment Guide which was updated on 28th July 2015 and gives guidance on how the Assessor should carry out the PIP Assessment.

You can choose the room where you wish the Assessment to take place, and the Assessor should not want to look around your home.

You may of course want to point out any Aids or Adaptations that you need to use to carry out any Activities that may be in another room.

You can have someone else present, and they can take notes.

A quick "heads up", PIP Assessors can turn up early, or not turn up at all !

You can record the assessment with the prior consent of ATOS, so you would have to gain their permission before the date of the Assessment.

See further information on recording your face to face on : This Page

Or, you can covertly record the assessment without the ATOS Assessor knowing.

If you do covertly record the assessment, although it is not illegal, if the ATOS Assessor becomes aware that you are recording the assessment, they may stop it and refuse to continue.

You may then be classed as failing to comply with the face to face which could result in your PIP file being returned to DWP and them disqualifying your PIP Claim.

Good luck, and please keep us updated.

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