DM Phone Call

Just a quicky in all my correspondence I clearly stated I did not want to discuss anything on the telephone and wanted it all in writing and just wondered if any one else had experienced this.

Got a phone call today, person apparently dealing with my appeal just wanted to clarify a couple of details but found one thing odd when security questions were mentioned.

Before asking anything about myself I was asked to confirm my doctors full name and practise address?

Just thought I would ask as they know who it is, put it on the ESA50 and they have had 4 letters from him so should know who the doctor is.

I had a similar situation. It was annoying that they phoned me when I had specifically stated I did not want them to. Also, it did seem daft that they phoned me then wanted me to identify myself through security questions, but at least they were making sure they were observing data protection rules.

In my case, the DM wanted to clarify some information I had provided. Although I was reluctant to discuss my appeal on the phone, wanting a paper trail of any exchange of information, my telephone conversation with the DM was followed by a letter from the DWP the following day informing me my appeal was successful at reconsideration stage.

Hope you have good news soon.

Thanks Gordon, guess the only way I will find out in the end is by waiting or asking my doctor if they have had any interesting phone calls

Hi PC

Thanks for the post.

I did in fact receive a second phone call from the decision maker late Friday afternoon and they asked the same security questions as before and got some good news, well providing it is as they claimed.

I was told that my appeal and ESA50 had been gone through several times, I submitted several other documents directly to the decision maker after the ESA50 rather than wait to see if it went to tribunal.

Anyway seems that when Atos sent my paperwork to the DWP several vital documents simply vanished so was placed straight into WRAG.

The senior decision maker told me that they were unaware of these documents until I had lodged an appeal and submitted those documents and several others directly to the DWP.

I've now been told that with immediate effect I have been place in the Support Group for 3 years due to the medical evidence supplied although I have not yet had this in writing and due a phone call from Jobcentre Plus Friday who want a decision if I want to stay with them or go to a private company as after my first interview it seemed I was put straight onto the work programme.

The decision maker told me that I do not have to go to any WFI's or on the Work Programme and that they had already been emailed the appeal decision.

Fawlty wrote: Hi PC

Thanks for the post.

I did in fact receive a second phone call from the decision maker late Friday afternoon and they asked the same security questions as before and got some good news, well providing it is as they claimed.

I was told that my appeal and ESA50 had been gone through several times, I submitted several other documents directly to the decision maker after the ESA50 rather than wait to see if it went to tribunal.

Anyway seems that when Atos sent my paperwork to the DWP several vital documents simply vanished so was placed straight into WRAG.

The senior decision maker told me that they were unaware of these documents until I had lodged an appeal and submitted those documents and several others directly to the DWP.

I've now been told that with immediate effect I have been place in the Support Group for 3 years due to the medical evidence supplied although I have not yet had this in writing and due a phone call from Jobcentre Plus Friday who want a decision if I want to stay with them or go to a private company as after my first interview it seemed I was put straight onto the work programme.

The decision maker told me that I do not have to go to any WFI's or on the Work Programme and that they had already been emailed the appeal decision.

Hi Basil,

That is great news, 3 years is the maximum prognosis as well !!!

Of course you will need to receive written confirmation to be absolutely sure.

From your comments, it seems that we may have to start advising our members to send a shadow copy of the ESA50 and any additional evidence to The DM as well as ATOS, as we have in the past.

bro58