Suggestions for ATOS assessment of sensitive case?

Hi, it’s a bit of a long shot but I just wanted to know if anyone would have any suggestions of things to think about for my ATOS assessment. What makes it different is the DWP made my file a sensitive case a few years ago for a privacy reason. This means people in DWP need to get permission to access my file. I’m currently being migrated from IB to ESA and there is a special team at DWP dealing with that for sensitive cases. As far as ATOS are concerned, they are not permitted to put anything on computer about me. (All a bit overly cloak and dagger, but never mind!)

I’m getting the assessment on 7th May and ATOS must NOT do the computer based approach, but must do a written report instead. Firstly, I was wondering if anyone else has had an assessment where a written report was done? Secondly, I’m expecting the questions to be the same as they would be otherwise and will read everything on this site about that and mentally prepare, but would be interested to know if anyone has any suggestions of anything extra to consider when this is an individual doing a written report. I will have someone with me. I am, perhaps stupidly, viewing the fact that I got ATOS to agree to a taxi as a little victory – particularly as the starting point to that conversation was I would need to get a letter from my GP!

Thanks!

Cannyman

Thanks Gordon. I had only heard about the computerised version of the assessment, so it's good to know it's not so unusual for them to do a written report. I've not asked them to record it. I will think about secretly doing that, although as you say there are issues. I can certainly get my friend to take notes!

I had not thought about specifically trying to start an answer with the word no, but that is a really good idea, thanks. My consultant says all his patients that have gone through it and should be in the support group are, but in every case it was at appeal. it would be nice to avoid that if I can.

Appreciate the help.

cannyman

Hi,

Just thought I would update as I had the assessment today. My friend and I both thought that it went as well as it could, but I do realise that I need to wait for the decision to really know!

Most of it was very much as I would have expected from the information on this site. There was one question that went totally over my head though! Fortunately my friend had it sussed. It was quite late in the interview and I was being asked how I spend my days. She asked if I read, so I answered that as yes but prolonged reading is difficult and why. She asked about TV and I said I do watch a lot of TV and explained about having a big sofa to lie on. I had been expecting those. She then said we had discussed that I shop online and asked what else I use the computer for? I said really just for keeping in touch with people and keeping up to date with the world. That is true. She asked the question again, and I replied in the same way, and then she asked a third time! At this point I realised something was going on I had no idea about.

I turned to my friend and said 'I don't know, what else do people use a computer for?' and he replied, 'some people use them for gaming'. I said oh, turned back to her and said that I am not into gaming and have never had any interest in it and my friend said no, you don't do gaming. All of which is entirely true. If I was into gaming it could probably be used to contradict the answers I gave in some earlier parts. I'm not sure where it would have gone if my friend had not clarified what was going on.

I just thought I'd let people know that seems to be a line of questioning. Ah well, now for more of the waiting game

Cannyman

Maybe they were asking if you do online banking as doesn't one of the questions ask about if you can manage your finances?