Feeling absolutely terrified

Hello, I am after some advice please. Despite having COPD , ME, Severe depression and genuine Social phobias . I also have a paid Carer for 2 hours per day from Social services ATOS have said I have to go for the Medical. I tried to explain that I couldn't get to the Centre and that I had requested a Home visit , they would not budge. I said I know some people haven't had to go for the Medical and she said ' rubbish' everyone has to. I have followed all the advice given and yet they say I have to go. This is for ESA . I don't think my gp will help. I asked him to write a letter to support me on something else and he said No ! if the Council want a letter they can pay

trybesty555 wrote: Hello, I am after some advice please. Despite having COPD , ME, Severe depression and genuine Social phobias . I also have a paid Carer for 2 hours per day from Social services ATOS have said I have to go for the Medical. I tried to explain that I couldn't get to the Centre and that I had requested a Home visit , they would not budge. I said I know some people haven't had to go for the Medical and she said ' rubbish' everyone has to. I have followed all the advice given and yet they say I have to go. This is for ESA . I don't think my gp will help. I asked him to write a letter to support me on something else and he said No ! if the Council want a letter they can pay

Hi t555,

Clearly, people have managed to have ESA Home Assessments, as we have seen with feedback from our members.

ATOS do generally insist that the claimant's G.P. faxes them with information as to why their patient cannot attend an ATOS Assessment Centre.

Therefore, if your G.P. is unsupportive, you may have problems here.

You are allowed to cancel one appointment, so you could try and rearrange for a date when you carer or someone else can go with you.

Another option is to request that ATOS provide a Taxi door to door, they can do this, but you must get them to agree to this before hand if you want reimbursement of the return fare.

You could try making a request for a Home Assessment of Taxi travel, as a "Reasonable Adjustment" under EA 2010, I can't say how successful that would be though.

A claimant has just won compensation against ATOS in a related scenario. :

www.meassociation.org.uk/?p=15123

Unfortunately, unless you can gain a Home Assessment, you will have to attend, otherwise you may be found fit for work, and your benefit may cease.

See : ESA Medical – What to expect

ATOS Website with contact details :

www.atoshealthcare.com/claimants

Please keep us updated.

bro58