THE FULL FACTS

Hi All,

I'm hoping to get some advice. Please bare with with me though, as I'm not used to using forums.

I'm getting a little bit worried and am not sure what to do. After cancelling my appointment with Atos in January and asking for a home visit instead of being called up to an assessment centre, I received a letter asking me why. I wrote back to them giving my reasons, and then received a letter from the DWP asking for medical evidence to support my reasons. I replied to them in Febuary with letters from both my psychotherapist and a GP from my doctors surgery (my own doctor wasn't available at the time), but I've heard nothing from them since. I'm not sure what to do now, it's been 3 months! I was thinking of writing to them again asking what's happening, but my instinct tells me to leave well alone. Anybodys experience or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Arty

Normally ATOS ask you to get your GP to fax them with the reasons for needing a home visit. If it's been 3 months and you are still getting your money, I'd be tempted to leave well alone. However, do make sure you keep copies of everything you send out (& have sent) to DWP / ATOS, log all phone calls etc, keep all correspondence. Then you'll have a strong paper trail if there is any dispute.

_________________
Forms:

• GL24 (February 2012) - Download pdf
• ESA50 2013 NEW - Download pdf
• ESA113 (03/11) - Download pdf (DWP Form sent to Dr to complete for ESA)

Information:

• Claim Form and medical guide - (Download pdf)
• The Full Facts - Advocacy support list
• Support Group Criteria
• ilegal guide to ESA50 questionnaire
• Turn2us - access to Benefits and Grants
• Contact your local MP
• 2012 WCA handbook pdf
• ATOS official complaints procedure pdf

Hi TiddK,

Many thanks for your reply. Yeah, my instinct is to leave well alone, but I've just got a bit nervous after 3mths and nothing from them.
All my contact with DWP/ATOS has been through letters, as I like everything in writing and I've sent everything to them by recorded delivery. Which is just as well, as ATOS didn't sign for the letter I sent them cancelling my app. Luckily I'd also sent a copy of the letter to the DWP and could prove it. I don't answer my home phone, mainly because of spam calls, and leave my answer machine on constantly, people who know me phone or text my mobile. I think I'm just getting a bit jittery as It's been a while, I think I probably need to keep my nerve a while longer. My fear is they'll just cut my benefit without saying anything. Thanks once again for you reply.

Arty