hello all i have type 2 and have severe periphial neuropathy and cant walk far or even hold things im in constant pain , my sugars are stable , im on morphine and today i hear that i will be sent to an independant doctor to see if im capable of any work , my doctor advised me to give up work as i was away from work on sick a lot as it got worse , im 49 and had never been out of work , now im worried again that they will say i could work and the same thing happens again and no company is going to put up with that
nuropathy and work
- Thread starter lesdav15
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donnellysdogs
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People that can't listen to other people's opinions.
People that can't say sorry.
Hi
If you have completed any forms regarding work and employment through the Department of Work and Pensions and it is relating to not being able to work through illness, then you wiill be sent to see an ATOS Healthcare person (not necessarily a doctor). This can be for previous people in Incapacity Benefit or Employment Support Allowance etc....
The health person from ATOS will have a copy of your form in front of them. The appointment with the person should be somewhere between 20mins-1 hour. However, mine was very, very long, much, much longer than the time it should have been....they look at your appearance, how you sit, how you stand, they time you, they will try to stop your interview (if you leave-then you will automatically be put fit for work, and you will not be offered another appoinment). If for example you have fibromayalgia, they will have a person seeing you that has done their ATOS training on fibromyalgia. Always, always take somebody who is very switched on to these appointments.
They will then in that appointment decide if you are fit to work in any capacity. Basically, that you need to go in to a work support group, a fit group, or a non fit group-in basic terms.
The DWP will write to you after the assessment by the ATOS health person to tell you which group you have been placed in.
If you do not agree with the decision, the first thing to do is to ask for a copy of the medical report which the ATOS person completed. (this has to be requested within a set amount of time).
If you think the ATOS person's review is not fair and the decision of the DWP is not fair then you can ask for the decsion to be reviewed. (Again there are time limits to this).
After that if the review does not overtrun the decision made, then you can appeal against it and be heard by an appeals tribunal. (Again a time limit to telling them you want to appeal).
It is a very complicated process, and you MUST be very clear in what you write on the forms initially. They do not allow much space to write details in, so, attach additional sheets if necessary.
There are a number of websites that have been listed on other postings regarding help then you can get. I get tips and email from benefitsandwork.co.uk.
There is only a very small percentage of persons that are seen that are deemed unable to work in any shape or form......
For example, if you were previously a Manager in huge PLC with hundreds of people reprting to you, and you could not do that work anymore, but you could manage to sit at a desk and make telephone calls in a call centre etc then you are fit for work. Or if you used to be a bus driver for example, but lost your licence due to having retimopathy and a heart attack for example, then again, you may well be signed as being fit for work, because you could be deemed as being fit enough to sit at a desk and making phonecalls etc......What is expected is that just because you couldn't do one job, then it doesn't mean to say necessarily that you can't do any job.....
It is very tough to make any claim, people on Income Suuport, Incapcity Benefit, Employment Support Allowance etc through medical conditions will all in the future be seen by Medical Persons from the Government's independent (??-no way)...no-one will be exempt. Even if you have had to go for a medical once and you pass, they can recall you anytime from 3 months onward to complete another form and have another medical.
And so it goes on.......
If you have completed any forms regarding work and employment through the Department of Work and Pensions and it is relating to not being able to work through illness, then you wiill be sent to see an ATOS Healthcare person (not necessarily a doctor). This can be for previous people in Incapacity Benefit or Employment Support Allowance etc....
The health person from ATOS will have a copy of your form in front of them. The appointment with the person should be somewhere between 20mins-1 hour. However, mine was very, very long, much, much longer than the time it should have been....they look at your appearance, how you sit, how you stand, they time you, they will try to stop your interview (if you leave-then you will automatically be put fit for work, and you will not be offered another appoinment). If for example you have fibromayalgia, they will have a person seeing you that has done their ATOS training on fibromyalgia. Always, always take somebody who is very switched on to these appointments.
They will then in that appointment decide if you are fit to work in any capacity. Basically, that you need to go in to a work support group, a fit group, or a non fit group-in basic terms.
The DWP will write to you after the assessment by the ATOS health person to tell you which group you have been placed in.
If you do not agree with the decision, the first thing to do is to ask for a copy of the medical report which the ATOS person completed. (this has to be requested within a set amount of time).
If you think the ATOS person's review is not fair and the decision of the DWP is not fair then you can ask for the decsion to be reviewed. (Again there are time limits to this).
After that if the review does not overtrun the decision made, then you can appeal against it and be heard by an appeals tribunal. (Again a time limit to telling them you want to appeal).
It is a very complicated process, and you MUST be very clear in what you write on the forms initially. They do not allow much space to write details in, so, attach additional sheets if necessary.
There are a number of websites that have been listed on other postings regarding help then you can get. I get tips and email from benefitsandwork.co.uk.
There is only a very small percentage of persons that are seen that are deemed unable to work in any shape or form......
For example, if you were previously a Manager in huge PLC with hundreds of people reprting to you, and you could not do that work anymore, but you could manage to sit at a desk and make telephone calls in a call centre etc then you are fit for work. Or if you used to be a bus driver for example, but lost your licence due to having retimopathy and a heart attack for example, then again, you may well be signed as being fit for work, because you could be deemed as being fit enough to sit at a desk and making phonecalls etc......What is expected is that just because you couldn't do one job, then it doesn't mean to say necessarily that you can't do any job.....
It is very tough to make any claim, people on Income Suuport, Incapcity Benefit, Employment Support Allowance etc through medical conditions will all in the future be seen by Medical Persons from the Government's independent (??-no way)...no-one will be exempt. Even if you have had to go for a medical once and you pass, they can recall you anytime from 3 months onward to complete another form and have another medical.
And so it goes on.......
donnellysdogs Has nailed it
I have had a few of theses now and my condition is Chronic and Progressive
lost use 90% left side now can not walk at all
I need carers to get me up washed and dressed ?
I need care most of the day ?
I can not leave the house with out help ?
I am in 24/7 pain under heavy medication
I am always put in the Back to work group :?:
Seems you have to be Term ill or a Vegetable to be in he support group (just leave you alone)
So if you are placed in the Back to work group ( anyone with a pulse)
Your lucky you have passed ?
You will then need to attend six meetings at the job center will then leave you alone until your called in for next medical around 12 weeks later and Round you go again .
if you fail the Medical you sent to Job center plus to find a job
You can claim unemployment benefit for max six months only based on your NI stamp
Take all consultant letters
Take a letter from your GP explaining how your illness effects you
complete list of all drugs
Take someone with you
Take a Taxi to the door
Atos medical ? its more like a interrogation
Think and answer slowly ,will try and trick you
sorry if i and donnellysdogs have put the wind up you
You need to be Ready for this and Understand this is unlike any medical you have every had before
Good Luck
I have had a few of theses now and my condition is Chronic and Progressive
lost use 90% left side now can not walk at all
I need carers to get me up washed and dressed ?
I need care most of the day ?
I can not leave the house with out help ?
I am in 24/7 pain under heavy medication
I am always put in the Back to work group :?:
Seems you have to be Term ill or a Vegetable to be in he support group (just leave you alone)
So if you are placed in the Back to work group ( anyone with a pulse)
Your lucky you have passed ?
You will then need to attend six meetings at the job center will then leave you alone until your called in for next medical around 12 weeks later and Round you go again .
if you fail the Medical you sent to Job center plus to find a job
You can claim unemployment benefit for max six months only based on your NI stamp
Take all consultant letters
Take a letter from your GP explaining how your illness effects you
complete list of all drugs
Take someone with you
Take a Taxi to the door
Atos medical ? its more like a interrogation
Think and answer slowly ,will try and trick you
sorry if i and donnellysdogs have put the wind up you
You need to be Ready for this and Understand this is unlike any medical you have every had before
Good Luck
Attachments
The top and bottom line is get expert help filling in the forms !
Your local council may have a benefits adviser or CAB.
If the Centre you have to go to to be assessed is further away than you can comfortably sit, say 15-20 minutes for instance then ask for a centre nearer to you.
In my own case I did not do this and ended up having to travel for an hour on public transport. I then had to walk to the centre, which has no stopping or parking out side it so anyone who attends has to walk into it. This is all taken into account by these ATOS 'Doctors' and you end up getting no points for walking or the amount of time you can sit !
They do not seem to consult with your own GP/Consultant so make sure everything is on the forms you fill out. This is what they go on not your Health records.
Your local council may have a benefits adviser or CAB.
If the Centre you have to go to to be assessed is further away than you can comfortably sit, say 15-20 minutes for instance then ask for a centre nearer to you.
In my own case I did not do this and ended up having to travel for an hour on public transport. I then had to walk to the centre, which has no stopping or parking out side it so anyone who attends has to walk into it. This is all taken into account by these ATOS 'Doctors' and you end up getting no points for walking or the amount of time you can sit !
They do not seem to consult with your own GP/Consultant so make sure everything is on the forms you fill out. This is what they go on not your Health records.
donnellysdogs
Master
- Messages
- 13,233
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
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People that can't listen to other people's opinions.
People that can't say sorry.
I suspect for an appointment to be given that the forms have already been written out and sent.....
Another good point is to make sure you keep a copy of the forms before you send them off.
On my forms, I wrote 'not enough space to write all the details' in every box and attached a list of 34 pages to the form for them to consider....all the exact truth, Giving me 2" of space to write how walking, sitting, standing, movement etc just was not enough for me to explain, and I believe that if anybody wants to get a full rundown on my health, that they cannot do it at a very short 30 minute special interview. As far as I know, they do no not go by any Doctors or Health Professionals letters, as they are there just to really see that you are telling the truth in your forms and that does that truth allow you to perform ANY job at all......I went by car, and was timed from the carpark to the office. He also timed me for the time I was able to sit down or stand etc, to make sure that it fell within the time I had written on the form. All these notes will be written in the medical report that under the freedom of information act-you are allowed to request a copy of what has been written about you........
You could get a chance if you haven't done the forms giving enough detail etc that after the medical, you ask for the medical report to be sent to you. If the decision hasn't fallen in your favour, then get as much help as you can in resubmitting a letter requesting for a review to take in to account the additional information and ask for the decision to be reviewed and overturned.....
This is all assuming of course, that they will not find in favour of you.....you may well have done a superb job of completing form and going to see the ATOS person, and you won't need to take any further steps.
We have only just highlighted the procedures that happen to make sure you know what you will be facing.
I wish you well at your appointment, but please take somebody that is 'switched on' to your appointment. Make sure you take all the documentation they ask for as well......i.e. passport etc.
Another good point is to make sure you keep a copy of the forms before you send them off.
On my forms, I wrote 'not enough space to write all the details' in every box and attached a list of 34 pages to the form for them to consider....all the exact truth, Giving me 2" of space to write how walking, sitting, standing, movement etc just was not enough for me to explain, and I believe that if anybody wants to get a full rundown on my health, that they cannot do it at a very short 30 minute special interview. As far as I know, they do no not go by any Doctors or Health Professionals letters, as they are there just to really see that you are telling the truth in your forms and that does that truth allow you to perform ANY job at all......I went by car, and was timed from the carpark to the office. He also timed me for the time I was able to sit down or stand etc, to make sure that it fell within the time I had written on the form. All these notes will be written in the medical report that under the freedom of information act-you are allowed to request a copy of what has been written about you........
You could get a chance if you haven't done the forms giving enough detail etc that after the medical, you ask for the medical report to be sent to you. If the decision hasn't fallen in your favour, then get as much help as you can in resubmitting a letter requesting for a review to take in to account the additional information and ask for the decision to be reviewed and overturned.....
This is all assuming of course, that they will not find in favour of you.....you may well have done a superb job of completing form and going to see the ATOS person, and you won't need to take any further steps.
We have only just highlighted the procedures that happen to make sure you know what you will be facing.
I wish you well at your appointment, but please take somebody that is 'switched on' to your appointment. Make sure you take all the documentation they ask for as well......i.e. passport etc.
That wont wash that's why your having the assessment ,Coz you are saying your sick :? catch 22
If you are on deaths door that would be the best time to Go for the Assessment :wink:
donnellysdogs
Master
- Messages
- 13,233
- Type of diabetes
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People that can't listen to other people's opinions.
People that can't say sorry.
Unfortunately if you are sick it is counted (as far as I know) as a cancellation. You can have 1 cancellation/amendment to the time and date sent you only.....then I believe if you can't attend that, you will be automatically put in the fit to work.
snag
Member
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- 9
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Other
Hi Everyone,
Having read all that has gone before, I thought it might be useful to tell you my story. I have type 2 diabetes, controlled by a cocktail of drugs, and some 3 years ago developed Peripheral Neuropathy in my feet. At the time I was serving in the RAF, and they then medically discharged me. When I left, I was advised to claim Incapacity Benefit, which by then was ESA. So I applied for ESA as I had been away from work for about 9 months by then. I had to go to the local Jobcentre where I was told by a very pleasant lady that whatever I did, if I wanted ESA I would have to be prepared to appeal, as no-one ever gets ESA on their first application. However, I completed all of the forms, and sent them off. I was then called forward for a medical by ATOS. The doctor I saw could hardly speak English as he was from Romania and, so he said, a cardiac specialist. Having told him that I could walk no more than 20 yards or so without extreme discomfort, and that I could not remain standing for more than about 2 mins, he wrote his report saying that I could walk for at least 100 yards without difficulty, and therefore was to go to the Return to work group. I got a copy of the report, and found that his english was awful, and he had paid no attention whatsoever to what I had said at the medical. I immediately lodged an appeal, based on the doctors incompetence, and received a letter back saying that it had been forwarded to the Tribunals Service. That was in February 2010. I went to the Tribunal today (15 months later) armed with letter from my GP, and a fresh diagnosis from the Rheumatology consultant. When I arrived, the clerk came to see me and told me that the Tribunal had already decided the case in my favour, and that I need not attend. The Tribunal found that I satisfied 2 of the Support Group descriptors! It has taken about 18 months in all to get to the end of the road, and there have been times when I could have torn out my hair. However, it was worth it, and a satisfactory, and fair, result was arrived at in the end. So there is light at the end of the tunnel - keep plugging away, and don't let them get away with their bullying tactics. I did have great advice from the BenefitsandWork website without which I might not have been so successful.
Hope this gives a balance to the story. All the best to you all.
Having read all that has gone before, I thought it might be useful to tell you my story. I have type 2 diabetes, controlled by a cocktail of drugs, and some 3 years ago developed Peripheral Neuropathy in my feet. At the time I was serving in the RAF, and they then medically discharged me. When I left, I was advised to claim Incapacity Benefit, which by then was ESA. So I applied for ESA as I had been away from work for about 9 months by then. I had to go to the local Jobcentre where I was told by a very pleasant lady that whatever I did, if I wanted ESA I would have to be prepared to appeal, as no-one ever gets ESA on their first application. However, I completed all of the forms, and sent them off. I was then called forward for a medical by ATOS. The doctor I saw could hardly speak English as he was from Romania and, so he said, a cardiac specialist. Having told him that I could walk no more than 20 yards or so without extreme discomfort, and that I could not remain standing for more than about 2 mins, he wrote his report saying that I could walk for at least 100 yards without difficulty, and therefore was to go to the Return to work group. I got a copy of the report, and found that his english was awful, and he had paid no attention whatsoever to what I had said at the medical. I immediately lodged an appeal, based on the doctors incompetence, and received a letter back saying that it had been forwarded to the Tribunals Service. That was in February 2010. I went to the Tribunal today (15 months later) armed with letter from my GP, and a fresh diagnosis from the Rheumatology consultant. When I arrived, the clerk came to see me and told me that the Tribunal had already decided the case in my favour, and that I need not attend. The Tribunal found that I satisfied 2 of the Support Group descriptors! It has taken about 18 months in all to get to the end of the road, and there have been times when I could have torn out my hair. However, it was worth it, and a satisfactory, and fair, result was arrived at in the end. So there is light at the end of the tunnel - keep plugging away, and don't let them get away with their bullying tactics. I did have great advice from the BenefitsandWork website without which I might not have been so successful.
Hope this gives a balance to the story. All the best to you all.
donnellysdogs
Master
- Messages
- 13,233
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
- Dislikes
-
People that can't listen to other people's opinions.
People that can't say sorry.
Can you tell us wheter you went straight for the appeal, or whether you asked for a review of the decision BEFORE going to the appeal? I won my my case on asking for a review of the decision. I wish that the info was CLEARER about asking for a review BEFORE going to appeal.....some people I know have jumped straight to the appeal stage......WITHOUT going to ask for a review to be conducted of the decision....
Defintely STRAIGHT after an interview notes should be made as to what happened during the interview, and the quicker they are done the better... and to ask for a review of the decision, if it is negative, BEFORE going to appeal....
Defintely STRAIGHT after an interview notes should be made as to what happened during the interview, and the quicker they are done the better... and to ask for a review of the decision, if it is negative, BEFORE going to appeal....
