DLA renewal / Atos visit

Please help!
I recently sent back my DLA renewal pack using the guides and copy of my form from 2 years ago, but had long wait for medical evidence to arrive which delayed sending it off and sadly meant I was unable to photocopy anything.
I have just received a letter from Atos saying they have been asked to assess me.
As I have only heard very bad stories about this company I am appealing to anyone who has had a positive experience to respond as I am concerned that they will not really have specialist understanding of my conditions- and I have heard so many stories of people having inaccurate information recorded about them!
I intend to send a letter to DLA requesting all medical evidence that I sent to be returned to me so that I can have it available for the Atos member. Is it wise for me to ask the question why they feel it necessary to send out someone who is not a rheumatologist given the amount of medical evidence I have supplied? ( one of my conditions is fibromyalgia and little is known about that even by many GPs)
Also would it be reasonable to request the interview be recorded as a reasonable adjustment under the DDA act - due to poor memory and concentration as a result of Pain and side effects of meds?

mon24 wrote: Please help!
I recently sent back my DLA renewal pack using the guides and copy of my form from 2 years ago, but had long wait for medical evidence to arrive which delayed sending it off and sadly meant I was unable to photocopy anything.
I have just received a letter from Atos saying they have been asked to assess me.
As I have only heard very bad stories about this company I am appealing to anyone who has had a positive experience to respond as I am concerned that they will not really have specialist understanding of my conditions- and I have heard so many stories of people having inaccurate information recorded about them!
I intend to send a letter to DLA requesting all medical evidence that I sent to be returned to me so that I can have it available for the Atos member. Is it wise for me to ask the question why they feel it necessary to send out someone who is not a rheumatologist given the amount of medical evidence I have supplied? ( one of my conditions is fibromyalgia and little is known about that even by many GPs)
Also would it be reasonable to request the interview be recorded as a reasonable adjustment under the DDA act - due to poor memory and concentration as a result of Pain and side effects of meds?

Hi m24,

Welcome to Benefits and Work

You may wish to take into account that it is likely that claimants will only publicise their bad experiences, and give no feedback when their experiences are good.

You should also take into account that although the ATOS EMP may not specialise in Rheumatology, Fibro, etc that the important issues in DLA qualification are the resulting care needs/mobility limitations, more so than the medical conditions themselves.

Any argument regarding whether the EMP was qualified in the correct field of medicine to assess you would be one after the fact, in the case of an adverse decision, if applicable, rather than before.

You could contact the DLA Unit, and ask them to forward you copies of the evidence that you have provided. However, you may have to do so in the form of a SAR. In which case, they have 40 calendar days from receipt of such a request to comply.

SAR Form Download

From this page :

DWP Data Protection Policy

I would address the envelope containing any SAR FAO : The Data Controller, and write DPA 1998 SAR on front, top, left corner of envelope.

Sending Documents to the DWP or ATOS

You may also like to contact your G.P. to see whether the DWP have asked them to fill in a DLA G.P. Factual Report (GPFR) :

G.P.’s Completing Medical Reports for DWP

You could make a written request to have your home assessment recorded, as a "reasonable adjustment" under what is now Equality Act 2010. (sections 20-22) : www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents

Whether they would comply is a different matter.

Another alternative would be to have someone present taking notes, or you could covertly record the assessment.

If you are to covertly record it, you should be aware that if The EMP becomes aware that you are recording it, they can stop the assessment.

Have a look at this : DLA Medical Examination from our : DLA FAQ’s

See also : DLA Guides

bro58

Ok thanks for that - I hadn't heard of a Sar - I was just going to write a letter but will do both / thanks for the advice!

mon24 wrote: Ok thanks for that - I hadn't heard of a Sar - I was just going to write a letter but will do both / thanks for the advice!

Hi m24,

A SAR can be issued in the form of a letter, as long as you make it clear that it is a SAR under DPA 1998.

You should also be aware that as ATOS are contracted to carry out all the medical assessment side of a DLA Claim for the DWP, that they may well have your evidence at this time.

An E-mail/ Phone call to The DLA Unit and/or ATOS may confirm this.

www.gov.uk/dla-disability-living-allowan...nefit/what-youll-get

www.atoshealthcare.com/claimants

Any request to have the assessment recorded should be made to ATOS, although you could copy the DLA Unit in on it.

bro58

Thank you for your very comprehensive response - it is much appreciated!

mon24 wrote: Thank you for your very comprehensive response - it is much appreciated!

You are welcome m24 !!

bro58