ATOS and PIP process for 16 year old

Hi Gary

Thank you so much for your advice. We will certainly take it board and will implement these things and the other things suggested already if we don't get "anywhere" over the next day or so. The lad's dad has been busy today dealing with the boy's ASD screening and CAMHS intervention and so on so he has not been able to direct his full attention to the PIP side of things today, unfortunately.

It looks like we now have a plan thanks to all the advice on here. It's just a matter of getting things in the right order in terms of carrying out all the actions. For example we are reluctant to go in all guns blazing towards ATOS, at the moment, until we physically get hold of the CAMHS letter supporting which is going to support the request for a home visit if such a visit is really even necessary. But certainly it is a distinct possibility we will be contacting the lads MP by the end of the week I would have thought. The situation is quite fluid; I will update the forum upon any significant developments. Thank you to you all for your sound advice - all the best.

Buster

Hi moderators and all.

Since my last post we have spoken to ATOS asking for a home assessment or a paper-based review. It was a forty minute call and the person on the other end was quite open and seemed quite keen to help - a very interesting conversation - all details taken down at our end. They cancelled his first assessment appointment.

The handler logged our request and updated the lad's file stating more evidence (child psychiatrists letter of support) was to follow by special delivery to support the lad not having to attend one of their centres - this was on the 22 Nov. Told to send it to DWP - same address as on PIP2. Disappointingly, they suggested that all the evidence we sent in with the PIP2 may have not been scanned at their end because she couldn't see it in her "work space" - she advised to send any key bits again - which we did with the further new evidence.

The additional evidence etc was sent and has been received by DWP 27 Nov. Then on 27 Nov (yes the same day) another ATOS letter dated 24 Nov (Sunday) only two days after the conversation with ATOS was received, saying the lad still needs to be seen at a centre, it has been decided by another health professional having looked at things again.

This is a strange turn of events to say the least. Because obviously they have decided this without waiting for the further evidence to come in. Incidentally, this further evidence was spoken about and listened to in detail - the handler inputted everything apparently.

Do ATOS really work on a Saturday and Sunday for a HCP to have looked at this lad's file again? Or is this latest simply likely to be a computer generated letter?

Should we ring ATOS and ask them what's happening? Should we ring DWP and ask them?

Should we complain to either of them as things stand? Or should we do nothing and wait until the new stuff has been scanned in to the DWP system and let them have a few days to look at it - ATOS that is?

I am also conscious that a new appointment letter is likely to follow soon, probably computer generated. However, it is almost certain he will fail to attend any centre due to his conditions - backed up in the supporting letter/new evidence.

I'm reluctant to give a full running commentary on this because of it being an open forum (spies) but all will be revealed when this case is settled.

Thank you for your time. Any advice will be very much appreciated.

Buster

Hi Bis

Thank you for your reply. I will ring ATOS and ask to speak to the team who actually deals with claims - asking them to read the stuff.

I think initially this was done, that is why they first sent a letter out saying they were considering a paper-based review but had asked a professional who knows the lad to to answer ATOS's query before going ahead.

Unfortunately, I now know that the particular professional failed to respond to ATOS's request. Apparently another 4 (yes 4) so called HCPs looked at the lad's file over a 6 week period or so - the last one initiating a face to face.

So it would seem like they were tantalisingly close to doing a PPR - but probably the last guy just couldn't be arsed so chucked the lad's file in the appending appointments file? Anyway we shall battle on - meanwhile the lad's needs are not being met as his dad is totally consumed with all of this stuff - surely this cannot be right. All the best.

Buster

Dear Buster,
To take a leaf out of Gordon's book I think the phrase you need to use both politely & persistently is "What additional evidence do you require to enable a paper- based assessment.?"
As the GP is supportive see if you can get him/her to contact the assessment centre urgently & ask for a call back. The GP may be able to speak to the HCP directly & ask the above question too & reiterate that a F2F would be impossible to conduct as the CHILD would not be able to function & would become so distressed it would be substantially detrimental to their health & cause lasting harm.
I know you believe contacting the MP is extreme but I strongly advise this urgently. ATOS won't listen to reason! If the child doesn't attend the next appointment the file will be returned to the DWP & the family would have to go through an appeal process which might take a year just to prove they had reasonable cause for not attending an assessment centre.
Best wishes

Dear Buster,
P.S Just to add to my worse case scenario : the other option if the file is returned to the DWP : the family could reapply for PIP immediately. This would give them time to iron out any discrepancies on the form using these guides/Forum and by then the child may have had his autism screening & further input from CAMH strengthening his case considerably.
The mistake is to expect ATOS/DWP to behave reasonably, decently or honestly or have any medical understanding of these conditions. My MP voted for the Welfare Reform Act but ensured I got a Paper assessment within 48 hours of contacting their office.