ATOS questionaire puzzled!

[ziggy04]

Hello,happy new year to all.

 

 

I was puzzled to receive a letter stating that because I receive either incapacity benefit severe disablement benefit or income support on health grounds I would be contacted by Atos regarding a questionnaire and assessment.

 

 

I don't get any of these benefits my husband receives pension credit that includes me on his claim, which has recently been reviewed.

 

 

I do however get low rate of DLA lifetime award, which according to a letter I got earlier in the year, I wouldn't be assessed until 2015.

 

 

not sure what to do I have no idea why they think I get one of these benefits there is no phone number on the letter I have to send the questionnaire back within a month, although they can't stop a benefit I don't get!

[ericsbrother]

Dont worry, I have been sent to 2 medical assessments and dont receive any benefits so it is amusing to have them tell me that they will stop my benefit if I do not co-operate. Like how? they have claimed I have threatened them but when I ask for evidence of this and tell them that i have recorded the interviews they go all silent and wont reply to my letters. Funny that!

[ziggy04]

i am still puzzled but i was told quite abruptly when i phoned the local benefit office that although i don't get income support, incapacity benefit or severe disablement allowance which was stated on the letter i received from Atos, i have received NI credits so have to fill in the questionnaire.

 

 

My husband is 68 and has been getting pension credit for 5yrs i am 57, but from what I've read because he received pension credit before 2010 he will continue to get the benefit for both of us. proposed changes in the rules will mean that an older man with younger wife will have to wait until the younger partner reaches pension age before a claim for pension credit can be made.

 

 

from what i understand Atos main remit is to cut the benefit bill, and i have read some horror stories regarding assessments etc. I'm concerned that if i fail the assessment how this will affect my husbands claim.

 

 

I have multiple health issues including retinopathy of prematurity TLE, severe arthritic hip told i needed a hip replacement 7yrs ago! & depression just been referred to neurologist as i have various worrying symptoms.

just been prescribed additional blood pressure medication as my blood pressure is even higher now can't think why that is!

 

 

i expect they want to save money by cutting the pension credit. its hard enough paying the bills now,i have filled the form in and sent it off. stressed out right now

[reallymadwoman]

I think that you really ought to check before completing and returning the questionnaire whether you need to continue claiming NI credits. From your age I would guess you already have enough to qualify for your pension, so you need to check if your husband would continue receiving Pension credits at the same rate if you didn't claim ESA. If you don't need to claim, it's really not worth the hassle of jumping through all their hoops.

[**Margaret**]

:ziggy04:

 

No connection whatsoever between your husband's couple claim for pension credit and the ESA50 questionnaire you've been sent. Awards of pension credit aren't dependent on capability, or lack of it, for work so a 'failed' assessment won't affect your current rate of benefit.

 

And so far as I can see, the only possible negative effect might be to your national insurance contributions record. If you were previously in receipt of income support on the grounds of disability, and the only reason you're not being paid is that you've chosen to be included on your husband's claim instead; by accident or design (I'm not sure which cos I don't know enough about the contribution regs) you may still be in receipt of national insurance credits that are dependent on your capability for work.

 

As a starting point to clarify whether you need to be/should be in receipt of credits; the National Insurance Helpline on 03002 003500.

 

Best wishes, Margaret.

[ziggy04]

hello again, Thank you very much for your kind replies and advice. I must admit I am feeling rather stressed about the Atos assessment only ever read bad things about that experience!

 

 

Since my last post I have been referred back to see a neurologist as I have on going symptoms needing further investigations and had to have another blood pressure medication as my bp is way too high maybe due to the worry associated with this Atos thing.

 

 

Margaret thank you for the helpline number I will certainly give them a call.

[ziggy04]

I think that you really ought to check before completing and returning the questionnaire whether you need to continue claiming NI credits. From your age I would guess you already have enough to qualify for your pension, so you need to check if your husband would continue receiving Pension credits at the same rate if you didn't claim ESA. If you don't need to claim, it's really not worth the hassle of jumping through all their hoops.

Yes I have to say I'm not in the right frame of mind to jump through hoops for Atos right now, I'm sure if I claimed ESA it would certainly affect my husband's claim for Pension Credit , I just wish they, Atos were more clear in their letter to me, no mention of N.I credits just that benefit would be affected if I did not comply.

[Stuart1234]

Hi Ziggy..........did you fill in the form yet?..........if not- maybe I can help.

[honeybee13]

Hello Stuart, welcome to the forum.

 

Do you have experience of this type of form and problem please?

 

My best, HB

[Stuart1234]

Hi Mate......yes i'm dealing with this at moment......are u in this predicament at moment?

[Stuart1234]

Can't post any pm's to anyone i'd like to help......is it bcos these are my first couple of post's?......hmmmmmpf:-(

[honeybee13]

Hi Mate......yes i'm dealing with this at moment......are u in this predicament at moment?

 

No I'm not, it's the OP Ziggy. I just wondered as you're trying to help someone else how much experience you have of this type of thing.

 

HB

[Stuart1234]

I would send you a pm but I cant because I'm new here it won't let me...lol...how many posts do I need to post lol........yes I can help ziggy I think mate.

[honeybee13]

I would send you a pm but I cant because I'm new here it won't let me...lol...how many posts do I need to post lol........yes I can help ziggy I think mate.

 

Hello again. Let's see if Ziggy replies because this thread goes back to January. It could be that the problem has been resolved.

 

Fwiw, because you're new, we encourage advice to be given on open forum so that it can be peer checked. This is for the protection of all concerned.

 

HB

[Stuart1234]

All I will say for the moment then is that he doesn't fill it in....i'll post more tomorrow ok HB.

[Stuart1234]

Hi HB......any news from Ziggy?

[ziggy04]

Hello Stuart & honeybee, Sorry I haven't been on the forum for a while busy trying to cope with my various neurological symptoms lately.

 

 

Well in answer to your question I had an urgent letter from Atos insisting that I return the questionnaire by 4th Feb which in did, I also told them I was waiting for an apt to see a neurologist for my on going problems, but as of yet I haven't heard back, not sure if that's a good thing.I will be seeing the neurologist on 8th April. I haven't a clue what is going on, I didn't even know I received N.I. credits until I phoned to enquire as to why I had been contacted by Atos.

[honeybee13]

Hi Ziggy, thank you for updating.

 

I hope it goes well for you, but you know where the help is if you need it.

 

HB

[ziggy04]

brief update, although I was 'ordered' to return the questionnaire by 4th Feb so far I haven't heard anything more, maybe no news is good news!

I have since seen a neurologist, regarding my on going health issues, and I am now waiting for MRI brain and spine scans to be done. I do receive DLA at the lowest rate originally for life but I expect they will no doubt, do their best to take that from me in due course.

[reallymadwoman]

No doubt you have heard on the news of the complete chaos that is the WCA system at the moment. I wouldn't hold your breath waiting to hear from them as they now apparently have huge backlogs in all areas of the country. The good news is that this means it is unlikely you will be called for a face to face assessment any time soon, if at all. Since it won't make any difference to your current income then for now no news is good news.