disability assessment atos

[tommy-h]

Bit worried as have just been sent and completed questionnaire form by this company using glasgow address belonging to health board.Worried because of programmes tonight on 4 and bbc2.Am I alone in finding their findings disturbing.I know I was truthful on form but now realise answers could be twisted to give a more positive view of my condition.For instance I can still type one handed.Although I could not pick a box from the floor to save my life.How disabled do you have to be to qualify for the new benefit?

[wolf63]

I have been on Incapacity Benefit since 2004 and recently had to fill up a form for ESA. I just told the truth about my illness and they have accepted this without the need for a medical.

Don't worry about the programme - wait and see what the decision is regarding your claim. If you have problems the CAB are excellent. The forms are all difficult to complete and it is difficult to explain how your disablement or illness affects you. In your case maybe attending a medical will be in your favour.

I hope that it goes well for you - it is frightening not knowing what is happening regarding benefit.

[tommy-h]

Thanx for the response wolfie,did not find form difficult but rather too personal in parts.Still concerned about the type of people conducting these interviews.

[firewatch]

well, ATOS is a swear word in this house.
I suffer crippling depression but because i can and have to function to a certain amount as I have small child they deem me fit enough to work. Despite the fact i get panicked easily and dont like break in routine, to the point i will not move from one spot unless order is returned. They dont deem me ill enough to get any points, i have my tribunal tomorrow stressed is an understatement!

[THECORBYLOON]

Tommy, the bit on the ESA50 questionnaire about the cardboard box is not about being able to bend down to pick it up, it asks if you are able to transfer the box not pick it up. If you are able to use one arm to wedge the box and move it from one side to another, you would not score points for that descriptor.

[tommy-h]

You have my empathies Firewatch.Dont know how I`ll cope when it`s my turn.Wish you luck xTH

[tommy-h]

Corby do you realise how daft that sounds.It would probably exclude every applicant-oh duh-THats what worries me.

[firewatch]

its having to go there and sit in front of a judge like i have done something wrong by being ill mental health is not a physically outward showing illness its scars are on the inside and they cant see that

[THECORBYLOON]

If someone has restricted movement in both arms, they may not be able to move either arm to a distance that would allow them to press the box against their body so they would score points. The test looks at several areas so even if no points were scored in one particular area they may be in another. The test has been designed to look at what all a person is capable of rather than what they can not do and is related to what an employed person may be capable of doing. This is why the new test looks at mobilising, ie using a wheelchair to get about rather than walking because folk could use a wheelchair to move around a place of work and also why it refers to being able to use a suitably adapted keyboard since they are often used in employment.

[owdhamer]

So far they have left me alone.but im bad

[owdhamer]

Parkinsons have support workers to advise

[tommy-h]

I suffer from acquired Cerebospinal aptaxia-apraxia-dyspraxia. Cannot even communicate clearly never mind mobilise freely.Why are they wasting their time and causing needless distress.

[tommy-h]

SORRY cerebrospinal-ataxia

[owdhamer]

That sounds bad tommy,hope they leave you alone.

[Kathyan]

The age limit for assessment is set at 65. I am 62 and retired at 60. I claim state pension and DLA. Does anyone know if I will have to be assessed?

[silliemillie]

On the program they didnt seem to take anything else into account, only that a person could for, example, sit & push a button or whatever.

They didnt think of how a person was to get to the job (could they travel on public transport for example) Many would probably not be able to.

Would the person be able to get to places like the kitchen, could the make themselves a cup of tea for example.

Or do they need help with the loo?

It was too uniform & tick boxy, these applicants are PEOPLE & induviduals & should be treated as such.

[THECORBYLOON]

silliemillie I've not seen the programme and I don't know if they covered the questionnaire in detail.

Regarding the qustions you posed, in the questionnaire, moving around and using steps covers mobility problems. As folk can use a manually propelled wheelchair at work, if a person would be able to use a manually propelled wheelchair for at least 220 yds, they would score no points for mobility. A person unable to walk would be able to get to a canteen using a wheelchair.

The abilty to make a cup of tea is covered in the section about picking up and moving things "Can you pick up and move a one-pint carton of milk?" and there is another section about manual dexterity.

Regarding using public transport to get to a job, the section about sitting and standing would cover that as it asks if you can sit or stand in combination for at least an hour. It also asks “Can you move from one seat to another right next to it without assistance from someone else person?” which covers the situation of a person in a wheelchair being able to transfer themsel to a toilet seat.

[emmie]

without giving anything away, i have been through this and it's dire.
A long long process and one that doesn't always make any sense, nor do you get much time with the ATOS assessor. I did watch the two programmes
and felt that what was being said about quotas and dragging people through a flawed process was spot on. Wish i could tell you more but i cannot.

[PurplePotRay]

I was in for around an hour and they have twisted my words and left other things that i have told them off the form.