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Atos wiped out as DWP reveal who will carry out your assessments from 2024

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The final combined PIP and work capability (WCA) assessment service contract has been awarded to Serco, the DWP announced this week, meaning that Atos have failed to win a single region and will cease to carry out assessments from September 2024 onwards.

The Functional Assessment Services contracts are replacing both PIP contracts and contracts to carry out WCAs for employment and support allowance (ESA) and universal credit (UC). The intention is that the same company will carry out both types of assessment in any given area, until such a time as the WCA is axed completely.

At the moment, WCAs are administered by Maximus and PIP assessments by Atos (known as IAS) and Capita, with Atos having the larger share of the PIP contracts.

However, that is all set to change from 2024, with the new contracts running until 2029.

Back in May, we reported that four of the five contracts had now been awarded, with just the South West of England left undecided.  This was because Atos were allegedly mounting a legal challenge to the decision to award the region to Serco.

But the DWP have now confirmed that Serco have been successful, leaving Atos entirely out in the cold.

From September 2024, if you have WCA or PIP assessment, it will be carried out by the following company:

North England and Scotland: Maximus UK Services Limited (currently Atos)

Midlands and Wales: Capita Business Services (currently Capita)

South West England: Serco (currently Atos)

South East England, London and East Anglia: Ingeus UK Limited (currently ATOS)

Northern Ireland: Capita Business Services (currently Capita)

 

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Angelina
    Angelina · 2 months ago
    I telephoned re a PIP review telephone assessment and asked if I could have the assessment recorded as their letter states. The lady says no it can't be done on that assessment and it will have to be rearranged and I would get another appointment. I am confused, why do they offer it in their letter and then when you request it say it can't be done and will have to be rearranged. I rand up as soon as recieving their letter re Tel assessment which is 2 weeks away. I am now very worried? Anyone had same ? 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Hilly
    Hilly · 5 months ago
    Hello there and wonder if anyone is as befuddled as I am regarding moving from DLA to PIP.
    I’ve been on DLA higher mobility since 2012 when I had lung cancer and had the left lung removed. I have subsequently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, osteomalacia and extensive osteoporosis in both hips. I have never been contacted by DWP . to claim PIP. My DLA was indefinite and at the time PIP was just getting going. So as I say I’m really worried because I will be 65 years old in January coming. I’m absolutely terrified. I have contacted DWP each year to ask when I might be called and have been told to wait due to their backlog of brand new assessment for PIP. Please , please let me know what you think. Sorry for the length of this post. I’m sure I can’t be the only one facing this issue, and I’m sure there are folks out there in much worse situation than me.
    Many thanks 
    cat lover from Gloucestershire 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    kathy302
    kathy302 · 5 months ago
    When will the transfer of DLA to PIP be completed on edge every day waiting for a letter to drop through the door
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Peter Duff
    Peter Duff · 5 months ago
    It was Atos that gave me a medical I had rheumatoid arthritis for over 20years and had enhanced rate for both fields for 20 years there nurse seen me for 35 mins said everything should be ok received my letter and cut two points off my motobility lost my car lost my car tax and I my arthritis had been getting worse these people supposed to be in nursing is a joke but I could not do anything mr peter duff




    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Chris Henderson
      Chris Henderson · 2 months ago
      @Barneyp Have you raised this to you Local minister . Corruption must be challenged to better society :) Thank you for publically stating insights none- the least.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Barneyp
      Barneyp · 3 months ago
      @Peter Duff Thats awful and the reason I left ATOS. I was told my nursing experience would help me assess people but my assessments were constantly rejected by supervisors. Its not the people doing the initial assessments that are the problem, its the level above rejecting the experience of those doing the assessments. Glad they are going, please persist and try again.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Eliza
    Eliza · 6 months ago
    I had to return a ESA renewal form by July 16th which I did have still not heard anything about medical assessment. Waiting is awful. Does anyone have any idea how long its going to be? 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      The Dog mother
      The Dog mother · 6 months ago
      @Eliza Eliza ,may I ask how long you've been on ESA, I hear they re doing some renewals randomly, that those who weren't assessed during the pandemic but where due to be are now being assessed.
      I've also heard that it's mostly contribution based esa and not income related being done at the moment. I heard this from an ex dwp worker,who left because of the shocking treatment his claiments were subjected to,but he still keeps his hand in and collects any news on benefits he can to help others. As for how long you'll wait. Could be a while. The last times I'd renewals they didn't even tell me I'd been kept in SG. And I was too afraid to call them. Good luck. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Martin
    Martin · 6 months ago
    Same policies. Different corporate branding.

    The staff are probably transferred over too. I await the outcome….
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Sammie
    Sammie · 6 months ago
    I just had a surprise assessment call from Capita. They gave me no warning I was unprepared so no recording etc and it only lasted five minutes now I am worried.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      The Dog mother
      The Dog mother · 2 months ago
      @Sammie Sammie Most excellent. Delighted for you x
       
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Sammie
      Sammie · 5 months ago
      @The Dog Mother Great news I just got my letter enhanced rate for both plus arrears as I was only standard on one before and no need to go through this awfulness again for 5 years. So a bit of good news there. x Take care and thanks B&W for great advice.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Sammie
      Sammie · 5 months ago
      @The Dog Mother Hi again I got a text off them yesterday which said my assessment was now complete and will get a letter in the next two weeks. I dread the postman I really do. Will let you know when it arrives.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Sammie
      Sammie · 6 months ago
      @The Dog Mother Hi I sent my assessment paper back last year and they said they had not made a decision so were extending it until they did until next year then out of the blue I got this call today? X
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      The Dog Mother
      The Dog Mother · 6 months ago
      @Sammie Sammie How close where you to  being due a reassessment?.
      I've heard of this happening before. 
      Sounds like it might be just a few things they needed to get a bit more info on.esp if it was such a short call. But scary all the same. X
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Ali
    Ali · 6 months ago
    As long as the systems rely on profits before people, it doesn't matter who does what. It costs them a lot more money to oppress us, but their funders etc get richer.
    Remember when IDS resigned and we all cheered? This is the same thing.  Things don't look great at the moment,  we need to be unified. Keep being brave, and let it go for as much as you can do, easily said, but you're alive now. Good luck everyone  x
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      The Dog mother
      The Dog mother · 6 months ago
      @Julia Thank you. It's better to prop eachother up and help if even in a little way I feel. We have to unite to fight. X
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Julia
      Julia · 6 months ago
      @The Dog Mother Very well said. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      The Dog Mother
      The Dog Mother · 6 months ago
      @Ali @Ali we certainly do need each other to lean on.
      We can gleam little bits of information from each other and as they say 'knowledge is power.'
      Luck to us all indeed, we don't need nor deserve to be treated so badly.x
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Pamela
    Pamela · 6 months ago
    My last assessment was to request the enhanced PIP as i'm on the lower level PIP. It was over the phone. It was the worst one I had had. The accessor spoke with a strong Scottish accent which resulted in my asking her to repeat a lot of her questions. Needless to say I didn't get the enhanced mobility
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    michelle
    michelle · 6 months ago
    maximus was atos staff who were tupe'd over ( i was one of them i hesitate to say ) so for the north of england (my area) this means no change 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Boris1
    Boris1 · 6 months ago
    I live in SW England and my recent wca was with IAS not Serco

    I have never heard of Serco until now.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Bob
    Bob · 6 months ago
    Serco has its finger in every part of daily life,with contracts previously with the DWP for pensions.
    Specialty,  Prisons, Defence and asylum seekers 
    Perfect to assess those in need then?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    frances
    frances · 6 months ago
    Watch this space, they still treat us as lying, lazy, discriminatted against people. Im 71 and after an extention to 2026 of my PIP review, i dread still having to go through a review!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Julia
      Julia · 6 months ago
      @frances I had my PIP review extended a year but they sent me the review 18 months early instead of the usual six months early. Plus I didn't receive the form until two weeks after the date on the letter so had to ring the DWP to get a two week extension. A tip, it's much easier to ring them at 9am, as soon as they open, so you can get your call answered more promptly. I don't wish to worry you but if you know all this can happen, you can be prepared for it. Good luck. :-)
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      The Dog Mother
      The Dog Mother · 6 months ago
      @frances I dread any interaction with the dwp. The reviews are deadly. The very letters or forms send me into panic mode when I see them in my post box. Making us feel even sicker ,they've a cheek disbelieving us to begin with. My pip review is 2026 though I expect to get the form months before the end date. I'm dreading it,and the change from iresa to UC. Dread isn't even a strong enough word. Its absolutely diabolical. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Sarah B
    Sarah B · 6 months ago
    My experience with Atos and the DWP has been dire. How and why are the staff at the DWP even employed? I found them o be idle , incompetent  and rude with no understanding o a stroke or the protocol. Chris Bryant MP is trying  to improve this.The DWP need to be held to account for its failings and in many cases sacked
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    TwistedWitch
    TwistedWitch · 6 months ago
    Isn't Maximus the American company sued in the USA for fraud? And as for Serco, well they are a bunch of bullies.

    Much as we might applaud the removal of ATOS, sadly it's same sh*t, different smell with these other companies
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Alice
    Alice · 6 months ago
    I had a reassessment in February it was sent back recorded delivery March 31st, on August 31st I called pip, only to be told, they didn't have my papers. I had to get this citizean advice to resend my forms, it took 5wks f
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    D Blake
    D Blake · 6 months ago
    Will wait to see if Ingeus (London & SE) - an Australian company, apparently  - turn out to be any better/more empathetic than ATOS next time around, but won't hold my breath!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Fred
      Fred · 6 months ago
      @D Blake This lot, are  responsible for all the successful work programmes.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Caroline
    Caroline · 6 months ago
    I was assessed for PIP back in 2015, I appealed the decision and was upgraded to enhanced both on mobility and daily living. The review in 2017 gave me an ongoing award earliest review in 2027! I was one of the last to be assessed by a doctor at the Department of Social Security for Incapacity benefit for a different condition. This automatically migrated to ESA where I'm in the Support Group, and following my Stroke and PIP, I also receive a severe disability payment in my ESA. What will change for me? I've been terrified about the migration to UC as I hear I'll lose the severe disability element. 
    I can recall reading in the Govt guidance for the assessors that it required a doctor to assess those who've had a CVA (stroke) has this changed? 
    Like everyone else in the support group, I'm terrified of being moved to the group that can be sanctioned. Prior to my stroke I was happy to work: now I am not able to multi task and tire very quickly. I will be at retirement age in August 2027. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Sarah B
      Sarah B · 6 months ago
      @Caroline Very interesting. I am sorry to read about your stroke. I had a cerebellar stroke  and disabled for life . Now 61. No doctor assessed me ever .I have had 3 assessments. I receive £61.45 pw. I produced a High Court Neurosurgeon  report  . Ignored .I complained to Ice gateway. 2.6 years later after numerous complaints the saga goes on. No change in money  or benefits. I have whistle blown direct to Mel Stride MP as he is responsible . everyone should as the DWP needs t be held to account.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    DianaW
    DianaW · 6 months ago
    Good riddance to Atos - but how many of their assessors will simply end up working for the new contractors? So the change of name sadly may not mean a change in quality of service for the claimant.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Alice
      Alice · 2 months ago
      @DianaW Exactly this, they'll all just be tupe'd over, the provider changes but staff will stay the same 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Paul
    Paul · 6 months ago
    Hi my wcwra (work related activity) was due last month but not heard anything my pip at the low rate runs until next july so I am confused can any please shed light on this? ty.

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