IB-ESA reward length. Appeal?

My husband was reviewed for ESA and was placed into the WRAG. We feel he should be in support but he is happy to stay in WRAG as they cannot force him to take work he so obviously cannot do.

Anyway the award length is just 6 months. The ESA85 states that he will improve within 6 months?
This will mean yet another Medical with Atros in just three months time. we got the letter a couple of days back and the ESA85 today (thanks to information on this site)

We did however give supporting evidence from a psychiatrist and doctor that gives him a GUARDED prognosis and states he is unlikely to ever improve with both his physical and mental illnesses.
I thought Atos was meant to give an opinion in line with medical evidence? the report was complied two years ago when he was last awarded 0 points in a medical but subsequently won an appeal.

I know you cannot comment on individual cases but my question is this:

Do we appeal? can we appeal only the length of the award? he is unlikely to EVER improve and this evidence was given to both Atos and the DWP DM.
My husband isn't that concerned that he isn't in the support group even though he is seriously ill both physically and mentally.

An appeal may push him over the edge again as he spent six months solid confined to a bed due to the stress of this last time.

Appealing for support group runs the risk of getting reduced to JSA but we are more concerned with the ATOS report and subsequent DM decision that he will make improvements within 6 months. he has been ill now for many years and will not recover.

Can ATOS and DWP ignore medical evidence even though they are meant to be giving decisions in line with it?

So confused.

Thank you

The ATOS 'prognosis' doesn't actually mean that your husband is expected to have miraculously improved within 6 months, it is just a suggestion as to when he should be reassessed. The length of the ESA award is not fixed, DWP can reassess whenever they want, and is therefore not appealable.

Thanks Mrs Hurtyback.

It would however seem that they have disregarded the medical evidence when deciding the next assessment date?
Another assessment will take place in three months from now. We have been told this by the DWP.

Just seems odd that we have a prognosis from medical experts thats not inline with Atos/DWP decisions.

Reassessments so soon after each-other is just so punishing to my husbands wellbeing.
The assessment process is hard enough on its own.

Would asking the DWP to carry out a reconsideration based upon the medical evidence, help to improve the amount of time before the next assessment?

Thank you gordon.

In this case we have to decide to appeal of not based upon the stress levels involved.
Appeals take so much from him and has even led to serious self harm.

What we feel is right or correct often doesn't come into it when dealing with the new benefits system. We just have to survive on what and where we can.

The duration between tests is important to wellbeing.. more so that the award of support or WRAG.

The HCP at ATOS struggled to cope with my husband and was rude and did nothing to put him at ease. We have a secret recording of the medical.
However after complaining last time of the HCP actions that led to formal apologies all the way to the head of DWP we feel that complaining again will only make us look like we are doing so due to an less than favourable decision and not just down to the manner in which he was treated.

We are struggling so much.