My ATOS Work Assessment.
After the first ESA ATOS medical, most people are put in the "work related" group, with the obligation to go to a monthly appointment with Pathways to Work. This means a fiver less per week than the support group get, and 25 more than the entry pittance.
For me, that was not too rigorous. The Pathways office was close by, and the people running it were realistic. It took them four months to up my money, but they backpay. Just before Christmas, in my case - Wahaay!
After six months on Pathways, you get called for another Work Related Assessment. I decided to go to mine, despite my approaching 60th birthday, and my coming pension will give me a livable income. However if my benefits were stopped for that time it would make a severe problem for me.
Met up with my youngest, who brought Callum along (aged 7 months) and proceeded to the dread ATOS medical centre. The doors are arranged to make it really hard to get in - a person in a wheel chair would have great difficulty, and there are steps outside, and no ramp that I could see.
I was feeling pretty awful. I registered my attendance with the reception, and was told that they were running about an hour late as they were a doctor down.
We found a space in the crowded waiting room, and I made my coat into a pillow and lay in the corner on the floor. The fluorescent lights were making my symptoms worse, so I put a magazine over my face to block them out. My daughter and I chatted inconsequentially, then she lost herself in a magazine while I zoned out. Little Callum was asleep in his pushchair.
Next thing I knew, people were being asked to come back another day, and I was asked to go into the interview room with a nurse.
I pointed out that I was officially able to retire in three weeks time, and she said, don't worry, I'll fill this in for you. You just have to jump through the hoops that the high-ups put in place. She asked if I'd like her to turn the lights off, I said yes please, so she did.
My interviewer was very knowledgeable about ME, and was totally charmed by the little lad, who had woken up to smile at everybody by now. The interview was over in 2O minutes.
I guess it just depends who you get. The last time, the Doctor I saw was hostile and impatient, but she was the first medico that told me that I had CFS. The first doctor mis-represented my answers in her report.
Tip - if you need to lie down on the floor, do so. It didn't just help me! They got their act together for everyone.
Tip - ask for a copy of your ATOS report, and write and attach your version of your replies to show anyone that may be using it to make a decision on your case.
Fact - the first medical generates an electronic file, which is sent to the DWP within 48 hours of the appointment. They are legally obliged to give you a copy.
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