Hi everyone, I'm hoping this thread is in the correct place as this is my first post, and after searching for a while this forum seems to be the place where I might be able to get my questions answered. I have been receiving DLA and ESA for around 15 months now, due to severe depression and anxiety. I received a letter from ATOS a few days ago telling me I have to attend an assessment in relation to my benefit claim. I'm aware what ATOS are like, and concerned I will probably "fail". What I would like to know though, is if I do fail, how long after the assessment would they stop my benefits? Which benefits would likely be affected - ESA, DLA or both? and what the probable outcome is benefits wise if I fail.. ie would I just have to sign up for jobseekers or are there other benefits too? Also if I appeal what are the likely outcomes in terms of money whilst I have time to appeal? Thanks in advance for any help, I just can't seem to find any answers elsewhere online. Becky.

HI all, me again. Just a couple of quick questions regarding the dreaded ESA50,,,,, 1, I've just received one and have just rung the dwp about my last form asking when the decision was made, he said it was made 18/10/11, so it's over six months so they must have given me 12 months esa, well to my thinking. When I asked him why I've received the form 4 months early he couldn't answer and said he'd get someone to ring me to discuss my concerns. Has anyone had this happen? 2, I notice that the form came from ATOS and has to be sent back to them, is this usual practice? I thought the esa50 went to a decision maker not ATOS? Any answers would be greatly appreciated. Thanx Jimi

Hi there. I failed the ATOS medical. Partly because I have memory problems and can't actually remember things they are asking me. Two weeks ago I had something like a stroke, I am due to have MRI and Neurologist referral. Part of my problem is I can't talk to my GP. One time he argued with me, when I disagreed with my first neurologist opinion. Then I have been told to go on heart medication and back to a neurologist a year ago but I hear nothing from my doctor. They put it down to 'migraines' but I have sudden blindness and weakened reflexes. Ok with Atos now, they want a note from my GP, since I dont get along with my GP. what do I do? I recently side stepped him to go to A&E and they said they are referring me for the MRI and neurologist. However, not sure if they are going to do this through my doctor. I phoned today to ask for a sick note. I guess what he's going to do (if past is to go by) he will call me in and tell me he doesn't want to or he will put 'disabling anxiety disorder' when what it actually is is loss of vision and confusion and numbness / weakness. Because I find it hard to express anything in person. of course I am going to fail ATOS. I don't have someone to go with me. Dread asking or seeing my doctor

HELLO everyone , l have been to atos assessement and gess what ,they only gave me 12 points .l suffer from COPD and depression also lower back ache after driving for so many years as a job . after lve apealed to the dwp the decision stayed the same ,l was choked by this ,they say l didnt have enough points because Atos not only didnt beleive me but at no time they tried to contact my GP for prove as l thought they would ,l only had a comfirmation prove from the sessions with the NHS psycologist where the trestment still on going for depression .as a result the DWP has send the papers to the tribunal and l am still waiting for a date to appear against them .l wonder how lon this will take ? l ve worked and owned businesses in the past and payed my dues ,now l am sick for real since COPD IS NOT CURABLE.and l have a daugther [14] to support .l feel empty .

Hi I am looking for a bit of advice. I recently moved from JSA to ESA and after receiving one payment of ESA last month not had any payments since. After calling to find out what the problem was I was told there is a "gap in my medical evidence" of about 7 days as my sicknote only covers me from the day I was able to see my GP (he won't/can't backdate it!). They told me over the phone about a month ago that my claim has now gone to "a decision maker" and I should hear within a week.... still nothing. They haven't even bothered to write to me to let me know my benefits are suspended.. even though I've sent a sick note in as they requested. I've been left high and dry with NO money at all for over a month, I've managed to get a couple of crisis loans for food (£30 a time) and apparently only allowed one more this year. Last week a form (ESA50) from ATOS came through saying I need to return it by 11th May otherwise my benefits "may be affected" - even though they've already 'suspended' everything! Maybe this is what they are waiting for? Job Centre seem to think if I can get my GP to cover those 10 days with a new back-dated sicknote they will pay me, but this isn't possible, he refuses to write a new note, I told them it would take me a week to get an appointment when I first claimed, they didn't say this would be a problem! They don't get it! What do I do!? Just going around in circles over and over and I have no money to eat let alone pay bills etc. How can they just leave people to rot like this? especially when they are sick?

Hi After reading this fantastic site and offering my own help, i have realized there is something i need help with. I want to check that the GP who conducted my WCA is qualified to deal with mental health issues, i have to fight my own appeal Do we have a Template letter and address of the GMC so that I can ask

Hi all, I'm a bit confused with the whole thing. I was in a bus accident and my gp has signed me off (2 x 2 weeks notes, and 1 x 4 week note.) til the end of this month, possibly longer. I'm £1.30 off the minimum cutoff for SSP so I cant get that and I apparently earn too much for ESA cos I get WTC. So I was told to send my Sick notes in to get my NI covered while I'm off which is fine, but I dont understand why I'm being requested for a medical when they state I'm not entitled due to earnings. I've read a lot of awful stories about people with disabilities failing and quite frankly I have every intention of returning to my job as soon as my GP says I can as I'm losing nearly £100 a week cos of the incompetence of a bus driver. Why am I being requested for a medical and can I refuse as I'm not in the receipt of the benefit money anyway? Thanks in advance!

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Hi everyone , i'm new to the forum and was wondering if anyone else has had a problem with the Start / Finish time given for their Examination and Interview on their Medical Report Form (ESA85) . I have recently failed my ESA medical ( with the customary 0 points ) and so i requested a copy of the medical report in order to appeal the decision . I was shocked when i read the report . It is a complete fabrication . However , the thing that concerns me most is the recorded start time of my examination/interview on the front page of the Medical Report Form . It shows it as being 15.28 , but i know this must be wrong as i distinctly remember checking the time on the clock in the waiting room shortly before i was called and it had just passed 15.30 , so i would estimate that the actual start time was about 15.33 . The whole examination/interview seemed to be rushed and i remember commenting to a friend , who met me when i came out , that i was surprised how quick it all was . This 5 minute discrepancy could be very important to me and my case as it reduces the total time of my medical from the recorded 25 mins to actual 18 mins . For example , i suffer from severe back and leg pain and one of the "descriptors" that was rejected was " Cannot sit on a chair with high back and no arms for more than 30 minutes " . This was rejected because the HCP stated that during the interview " The client was able to sit on a chair with a back for 23 minutes " . I would really appreciate any thoughts or advice on what , if anything , can be done .