Just heard on the radio news that ATOS want out of their contract early because their staff have received death threats due to the fact that they are being held out as not able to fulfil their original contract. Everyone who has ever come across this company know they are unqualified, incompetant and were paid a large amount of money by the Government to cut the welfare benefit bill without taking into account that most of the people they reassessed they got their decisions totally wrong, that is why several people ended their lives! Unfortunately the Government is looking to replace them with another highly paid unqualified company. I for one will be voting this Government out!!! Linda x
hi linda
its awful that workers who may not be very well paid, are getting death threats.
you’re absolutely right, the government is to blame and i’ll be voting them out too!
carole x
The “I was only obeying orders” excuse didn’t work terribly well at Nuremburg and glad to see the back of Atos. I won’t be voting Tory either, but then again, I never do.
Hi Linda This was in my local paper today as there was a recent protest outside my local assessment centre. One women they interviewed did work for them but gave up the job a while back and now joins the protestors. She stated the reason they get all the abuse they do is because of the ridiculous criteria set by the government. Polly x
I have not applied for PIP because the whole process scares the life out of me.
I am struggling with depression anyway and even the thought of filling that form in starts me panicing. I have no idea how I’d cope if I had to apply for ESA. I feel like jumping under a train when everything in life gets bad - that’s not a joke, but I do talk to my partner and GP and a cousellour if those thougths don’t go away so no need to worry about me - I don’t know how that kind of stress would affect me! I’d get advice and support before I even got the forms.
All the best to everyone, extra luck and love to those going through the process, or have done in the past
Ellen
Hey everyone,
I am almost at my wit’s end with my PIP claim.
Here’s a timeline for you guys to see what I mean.
3rd July: Sudden stroke like relapse for a condition that I didn’t know I had
3rd August: MRI and CSF confirm that I now have MS
As I was hemi-plegic, couldn’t swallow food safely, wash or dress myself I was recommended to seek DLA. DLA for new claimants in the area where I live is now automatically PIP
PIP claim form completed and sent end of August.
Early October an assessor from Capita (I live in Wales) came to the house to assess and examine me as he left he told us the report would be with DWP in 30 days.
As of yesterday, 20th February, more than 16 weeks since my assessment by Capita, the information and the report is still with Capita. Every week we call them to see if the information has gone to the DWP. Every week there is a new excuse as to why the report hasn’t been completed. Every phonecall that we make is polite to the person working for Capita as it isn’t their personal fault for the delay.
To complain to Capita, we are only given an email address that so far we haven’t had a reply from. When we contacted the DWP to complain, they simply directed us back to Capita as it was not a delay of their doing.
Despair isn’t to strong a word for how I feel at times.
Asher
Hi all
I had a cancelled appointment with atos I contacted them and they are paying my £70 taxi fare to attend things are in our favour
Graham
Hi Asher, I don’t know if contacting your mp and telling them of your situation. It sounds dreadful and can’t be helping your ms with the added stress. Sometimes I can’t swallow and that makes me go into panic. I really feel for you. Hope you get it sorted out ok and soon Lynn x
Hi everyone, all of your experiences with all of the DWP/related comanies and time frames seem awful. I am just about to claim Benefits for the first time and am not looking forward to it but a piece of advice was given on this Forum “be perisient and try and stay positive”.Is it a postcode lottery that makes it harder/longer in one place than other? Surely they backdate all claims as well? Good luch everyone whose trying and let us all know how you get on or what tips you can give? Linda x
Hi Linda I recently got awarded PIP and had this backdated to the date I requested application. My tips would send any documents you’ve received from your G.P, specialist etc. I sent them old appointments I have been to and ones coming up aswell as my Access to work reports and confirmation from my work about adjustments, medical reports from scans. You can never send too much evidence. I completed the form with some guidance from my G.P who advised me to express the difficulties I had in quantities like 4 nights out the week someone else cooks my dinner due to fatigue, dizziness, leg tremors. I was fortunate enough to be awarded without a face to face assessment. Good luck Polly x
Hi Polly, I have original letters dating back some years which show a progression for all symptoms, they’ll get sick of all my paperwork but if it makes my life easier then I’ll send them everything and keep copies as I don’t trust them at all, suprise, surprise! Glad you got yours sorted, hopefully they’ll leave you alone for quite a while now. Linda x
LindaH I don’t think they’ll be sick of all the paperwork. Without everything they can’t make the correct decision. You are making their life easier as well as yours. Keeping copies is wise. They must get 10000s of similar applications and no one is perfect. Pollyb is very likely to be reassessed over time as Indefinate pip awards will be very rare indeed. All the best Neil
Hi Neil Yeah your right my award is for 2 years it’s very rare to get an indefinite award with PIP. I was expecting a face to face assessment first as was told to expect it as most people will go for one before they are awarded anything. Linda it’s best to send everything you have as this will back up anything you write on the claim form like Neil has said it will make it easier for them and yourself. Polly x