Cancelling ATOS appointment due to snow

[jadeybags]

A friends area is expecting snow tomorrow, schools may be closed etc, she is stressing about what to do about her ATOS appointment. Is it a bad idea to cancel & reschedule those appointments? I told her they may even cancel if they have a problem getting there. But if the school is closed & they expect her to go still, can she take her children to the appointment?

[**Margaret**]

:jadeybags:

 

A direct quote from 'About your medical assessment';

 

'If you need to bring your children with you, please also bring someone to look after them while you are having your assessment.'

 

And should your friend have her kids in tow, pinocchio'll make all sorts of assumptions along the lines of 'fit to care for children = fit for work', whether she is or not.

 

If necessary, every assessee is allowed to rearrange one appointment cos of flu, no chaperone, bad weather, etcetera. For the reasons above, I wouldn't mention childcare. Shouldn't be a problem so long as she rings the assessment centre or 08002 888777 tomorrow. A second missed appointment gets referred back to a Jobcentreplus decision maker, who decides whether there was good cause for a failure to attend.

 

Sincerely, Margaret.

Edited February 4, 2013 by **Margaret**

[flumps1976]

The best thing to do is plan on going however if they are unable to attend then to contact and advise of the reason, she may be asked if there is anyone else available to care for te child/ren whilst they are at the medical.

[jadeybags]

Ok cheers. No idea what the weather is like for her this morning yet, she lives up north. She was getting quite stressed about it last night. I did say to her if she has to cancel she definitely has to let them know.