Argh - PIP / Atos

[Orangeblossom1976]

Are a compete nightmare. Reassessed again for PIP (already get it). Been endless hassle this time. Tricks and lies. Have mental health condition with psychosis when stress as well as physical health condition.

First they tried to get me to go an appt in city centre on a weekend, knowing this would make things worse for me, then finally did a home visit. But, they rang on the phone asking for directions when they were outside. My husband dealt with them then.

They do all these things to catch you out, and it makes it all worse. Now, they sent the medical report and it is awful. Basically lies.

I don;t know how these assessors can live with themselves. It isn't always like that, it is so mixed, they have been good at other times.

It is just so wrong that it depends who you get on the day and is such an unfair system. And the people who suffer worst is those who don't appeal. (Appeals sorted mine out last time)

Sorry it went a bit pants. It's lying scumbags assessors like that that give them all a bad name, sounds like you got stuck with a bad one, they're not all like that. I hope that you do get the result you need/want, it's a horrible thing to go through xx

Thanks. Trying to think that appeals might overturn it again as haven;t had the decision yet, they did last time it was a mess and gave me the higher award. Which DWP tried to 'lose' the papers for. It is with MH and feeling they are out to get you anyway, well it makes that all worse.

I think the DWP and it's contractors do everything they can to deter us from applying for and getting the benefits we desperately need and are fully entitled to.

I have my fingers crossed that you get the right decision first time. I have my PIP for z couple more years but am currently waiting for the decision on my ESA reassessment. I'm so stressed that a usually controlled skin condition is flaring up badly. My anxiety is in overdrive and I'm catastrophising. I know no employer would want me and there's no way I could do a job.

Bramble if it helps any, I'm also on ESA in the support group and found the Maximus has an email where you can ask them for progress, think it is called centre for disability assessments or something. They all try and call themselves something nicer. Atos is being something else too, IAS or something. Anyway the ESA one was quite helpful on the email I found. Good luck with yours as well.

Yes what seems to happen is Atos write the reports then the DWP don;t check them just rubber stamp then and make a decision. Appeals look at it better if it is bad.

Oh, wow, just read the report properly. ESA is support group due to my severe MH condition and physical problems.

The PIP assessor says is no evidence of a MH condition as I wasn't trembling, sweating and rocking! Bizarre. do they not understand it at all. and ignoring GP form and psychiatrists letters.

Oddly, in another section they do refer to GP letter after all, so must have read it. What a muddle. They also refer back to the previous overturned Atos report and not the Appeals decision. Wonder what Appeals will make of it all.