Please think before complaining.

I just saw this posted on one of the benefits groups.

Feel Free to let Atos know how you feel about them .
They have a Freepost address it will cost them to hear your opinion :

Letters , Postcards ,Parcels , should be sent to the following address

Please keep all mailing polite and legal .

Atos
Wyman Dillon Research
Freepost (B57607)
Bristol
B535 3YA

Please share the address.

My ONLY gripe with Atos is that their receptionists were too slow, therefore claiming that we arrived late when we didn't, and that they (Atos) tried to fob me off on my own GP for the WCA. Hardly what the benefits group are expecting people to complain about, is it. 

What they really need to be doing is complaining to the DWP!!! Atos aren't responsible for the things people have problems with. It's our flipping government!

By all means,  write to Atos at the above address IF you have a problem with them, but PLEASE check first that your gripe is with them, and not with the DWP.

• It is the DWP, not Atos, who determine how frequently you are assessed.
• It is the government, not Atos, who chose the ridiculous computerised system that is used (by Atos) to perform the assessments.
• It is that computerised system, that makes the assumptions based on the boxes ticked, that usually piss people off - assumed to be "lies told  by the assessor".
• It is the DWP, not Atos, who decide whether or not to use the recommendation that comes from the Work Capability Assessment.
• etc.

Yes, I know there are times when the assessors do tell lies. But, before complaining to Atos about it, look carefully at the paperwork and try to determine whether it really is the assessor telling lies, or whether it is a tick box on a computer making assumptions. 

My own Atos assessor did include some blatant lies at my medical, so I did place an official complaint. These lies were mostly regarding the physical; she claimed that I was able to do things that I had not been able to do on the day, for example how far forward I was able to bend. She also claimed that I had no walking aids, when I had my stick, and that I walked with no problem to the assessment room, when I clearly fell against one of the doors. Most of what the assessor inputs manually (and therefore personally) is regarding your physical, and your personal appearance and behaviour at the assessment.

When reports contain incorrect things about these, it is fair to make a complaint to Atos, but when a report says, for example "Can fill a front loading washing machine", when the assessor has asked you no such thing, it is simply because the computer has made an assumption. By all means, go through the report and note where it is incorrect for your appeal, but there is no point in complaining about these to Atos; the government (the DWP I believe) picked that computer system, so it is their responsibility!

Similarly, if the report says "walks dog daily", when you did not tell the assessor this, consider whether you told the assessor that you have a pet dog. The computer assumes that you care for the pets you tell the assessor about; so if you are unable to walk the dog you need to specify this to the assessor. Incidentally, if you have a cat, or small animal, the computer assumes that you are capable of regular planning; you are able to feed and care for this animal in the appropriate manner every day (even if the animal is dead in it's cage, rotting, at home). You need to be specific with your assessor; that is your responsibility, not Atos, and not the DWP.

If in doubt, make a complaint to Atos, but also make a complaint to the DWP.

Incidentally, the Atos address isn't exactly secret information. If you phone them, telling them you wish to make a complaint they'll send you the GL24 form (which you can also find online), and a free post envelope.

Atos aren't a company with the primary aim of doing harm to people. They are an Information Technology Services Company. Computers!

Petition worth signing!

Yeah yeah, I know there are loads of these things going around. Most of them are really naff though, written by someone with half a brain who is angry over something so they've whipped up a really badly worded petition in five minutes, without thinking it through properly. This one is NOT one of those. This one is very well thought through, asks for what we seriously need, and should actually be taken seriously by parliament because of how it is written.

Personally, I have given up on parliament. I think they are throwing out everything that comes their way if it isn't in their interests. I think we no longer have a proper democratic government, but that's a totally different matter. It's worth trying, so please sign it.

Please sign here.

We call for:

A Cumulative Impact Assessment of all cuts and changes affecting sick & disabled people, their families and carers, and a free vote on repeal of the Welfare Reform Act.

An immediate end to the Work Capability Assessment, as voted for by the British Medical Association.

Consultation between the Depts of Health & Education to improve support into work for sick & disabled people, and an end to forced work under threat of sanctions for people on disability benefits.

An Independent, Committee-Based Inquiry into Welfare Reform, covering but not limited to: (1) Care home admission rises, daycare centres, access to education for people with learning difficulties, universal mental health treatments, Remploy closures; (2) DWP media links, the ATOS contract, IT implementation of Universal Credit; (3) Human rights abuses against disabled people, excess claimant deaths & the disregard of medical evidence in decision making by ATOS, DWP & the Tribunal Service.

I am unfamiliar with what an Impact Assessment is, but we do need someone unbiased to seriously look into why the cuts and changes to everything are affecting the sick and disabled so much more than the rich. Asking for the ability to vote on such changes is genius.

In case you are unaware, the British Medical Council voted that the Work Capability Assessment - that scary medical you're sent for if you wish to claim Employment & Support Allowance - be ended. I agree 100% with this request, though am uncertain of how practical it is. There needs to be something in place. Personally I'd appreciate it if they took the ESA50 and medical evidence seriously in the first place.

Again, I agree 100% with ending forced work for the sick and disabled. Personally, I want to work, and I like the idea of gradually being re-introduced to it. BUT I do not think it should be forced upon anyone, and am disgusted that they take away 70% of someone's benefit if they cannot make it to that work. The nature of being sick and disabled means they will be unable to attend at times.

And yes oh YES, please please can there be an inquiry into all of the above. Independent and unbiased. The problem I have with inquiries is that they nearly always find what the government to find though. Either that of the government just ignores them.

Support Group Descriptors

The previous post lists the point scoring system used with the descriptors for the ESA50 & WCA. As stated in that post, you need 15 points to get ESA. If you score 15 points in only one section you will be placed in the ESA Support Group, as opposed to the Work Related Activity Group. The other way to be placed in to the Support Group is to meet one of the descriptors below.

If you are unfamiliar with the terms used above, please see this post.

Support group descriptors

Qualifying for the support group of employment and support allowance (ESA) is not about scoring points.  Instead, if the decision maker accepts that any of the following descriptors apply to you, then you will be placed in the support group. 1.  Mobilising unaided by another person with or without a walking stick, manual wheelchair or other aid if such aid can reasonably be used. Cannot either  (i)  mobilise more than 50 metres on level ground without stopping in order to avoid significant discomfort or exhaustion or (ii)  repeatedly mobilise 50 metres within a reasonable timescale because of significant discomfort or exhaustion.  2.  Transferring from one seated position to another. Cannot move between one seated position and another seated position located next to one another without receiving physical assistance from another person. 3.  Reaching. Cannot raise either arm as if to put something in the top pocket of a coat or jacket. 4. Picking up and moving or transferring by the use of the upper body and arms (excluding standing, sitting, bending or kneeling and all other activities specified in this Schedule). Cannot pick up and move a 0.5 litre carton full of liquid. 5. Manual dexterity. Cannot either: (a) press a button, such as a telephone keypad or; (b) turn the pages of a book with either hand. 6. Making self understood through speaking, writing, typing, or other means normally used. Cannot convey a simple message, such as the presence of a hazard. 7. Understanding communication by hearing, lip reading, reading 16 point print or using any aid if reasonably used. Cannot understand a simple message due to sensory impairment, such as the location of a fire escape. 8. Absence or loss of control over extensive evacuation of the bowel and/or bladder, other than enuresis (bed-wetting) despite the presence of any aids or adaptations normally used.  (a) At least once a week experiences (i) loss of control leading to extensive evacuation of the bowel and/or voiding of the bladder; or (ii) substantial leakage of the contents of a collecting device; sufficient to require cleaning and a change in clothing. 9.  Learning tasks. (a) Cannot learn how to complete a simple task, such as setting an alarm clock, due to cognitive impairment or mental disorder. 10. Awareness of everyday hazards (such as boiling water or sharp objects). (a) Reduced awareness of everyday hazards leads to a significant risk of:  (i) injury to self or others; or (ii) damage to property or possessions, such that they require supervision for the majority of the time to maintain safety. 11. Initiating and completing personal action (which means planning, organisation, problem solving, prioritising or switching tasks). Cannot, due to impaired mental function, reliably initiate or complete at least 2 sequential personal actions.  12. Coping with change (a) Cannot cope with any change, due to cognitive impairment or mental disorder, to the extent that day to day life cannot be managed.  13. Coping with social engagement due to cognitive impairment or mental disorder Engagement in social contact is always precluded due to difficulty relating to others or significant distress experienced by the individual. 14. Appropriateness of behaviour with other people, due to cognitive impairment or mental disorder Has, on a daily basis, uncontrollable episodes of aggressive or disinhibited behaviour that would be unreasonable in any workplace. 15.  Conveying food or drink to the mouth. (a) Cannot convey food or drink to the claimant’s own mouth without receiving physical assistance from someone else; (b) Cannot convey food or drink to the claimant’s own mouth without repeatedly stopping, experiencing breathlessness or severe discomfort; (c) Cannot convey food or drink to the claimant’s own mouth without receiving regular prompting given by someone else in the claimant’s physical presence; or (d) Owing to a severe disorder of mood or behaviour, fails to convey food or drink to the claimant’s own mouth without receiving — (i) physical assistance from someone else; or (ii) regular prompting given by someone else in the claimant’s presence. 16.  Chewing or swallowing food or drink (a) Cannot chew or swallow food or drink; (b) Cannot chew or swallow food or drink without repeatedly stopping, experiencing breathlessness or severe discomfort; (c) Cannot chew or swallow food or drink without repeatedly receiving regular prompting given by someone else in the claimant’s presence; or (d) Owing to a severe disorder of mood or behaviour, fails to— (i) chew or swallow food or drink; or (ii) chew or swallow food or drink without regular prompting given by another person in the physical presence of the claimant.

ESA Descriptors

When you apply for Employment & Support Allowance (ESA), you receive a form called the ESA50. This form, and the Work Capability Assessment (WCA - the Atos medical assessment) are scored on a point system. The DWP / Atos use "descriptors" to award these points. The descriptors are below. The points are in blue after each descriptor. I have explained in my previous blog post the best way to use them.

You need at least 15 points to get ESA.

Limited Capability for Work Descriptors

Points are indicated in blue beneath the descriptor

Descriptors and scores for each physical activity

Mobilising unaided by another person with or without a walking stick, manual wheelchair or other aid if such aid can reasonably be used.

(a) Cannot either:

(i) mobilise more than 50 metres on level ground without stopping in order to avoid significant discomfort or exhaustion;

or

(ii) repeatedly mobilise 50 metres within a reasonable timescale because of significant discomfort or exhaustion.

15

(b) Cannot mount or descend two steps unaided by another person even with the support of a handrail.

9

(c) Cannot either:

(i) mobilise more than 100 metres on level ground without stopping in order to avoid significant discomfort or exhaustion;

or

(ii) repeatedly mobilise 100 metres within a reasonable timescale because of significant discomfort or exhaustion.

9

(d) Cannot either:

(i) mobilise more than 200 metres on level ground without stopping in order to avoid significant discomfort or exhaustion;

or

(ii) repeatedly mobilise 200 metres within a reasonable timescale because of significant discomfort or exhaustion.

6

(e) None of the above apply

2. Standing and sitting.

(a) Cannot move between one seated position and another seated position located next to one another without receiving physical assistance from another person.

15

(b) Cannot, for the majority of the time, remain at a work station, either:

(i) standing unassisted by another person (even if free to move around); or

(ii) sitting (even in an adjustable chair) for more than 30 minutes, before needing to move away in order to avoid significant discomfort or exhaustion.

9

(c) Cannot, for the majority of the time, remain at a work station, either:

(i) standing unassisted by another person (even if free to move around); or

(ii) sitting (even in an adjustable chair) for more than an hour before needing to move away in order to avoid significant discomfort or exhaustion.

6

(d) None of the above apply

3. Reaching.

(a) Cannot raise either arm as if to put something in the top pocket of a coat or jacket.

15

(b) Cannot raise either arm to top of head as if to put on a hat.

9

(c) Cannot raise either arm above head height as if to reach for something.

6

(d) None of the above apply.

4. Picking up and moving or transferring by the use of the upper body and arms.

(a) Cannot pick up and move a 0.5 litre carton full of liquid.

15

(b) Cannot pick up and move a one litre carton full of liquid.

9

(c) Cannot transfer a light but bulky object such as an empty cardboard box.

6

(d) None of the above apply.

5. Manual dexterity.

(a) Cannot either:

(i) press a button, such as a telephone keypad; or

(ii) turn the pages of a book with either hand.

15

(b) Cannot pick up a £1 coin or equivalent with either hand.

15

(c) Cannot use a pen or pencil to make a meaningful mark.

9

(d) Cannot use a suitable keyboard or mouse.

9

(e) None of the above apply.

6. Making self understood through speaking, writing, typing, or other means normally used, unaided by another person.

(a) Cannot convey a simple message, such as the presence of a hazard.

15

(b) Has significant difficulty conveying a simple message to strangers.

15

(c) Has some difficulty conveying a simple message to strangers.

6

(d) None of the above apply.

7. Understanding communication by both verbal means (such as hearing or lip reading) and nonverbal means (such as reading 16 point print) using any aid it is reasonable to expect them to use, unaided by another person.

(a) Cannot understand a simple message due to sensory impairment, such as the location of a fire escape.

15

(b) Has significant difficulty understanding a simple message from a stranger due to sensory impairment.

15

(c) Has some difficulty understanding a simple message from a stranger due to sensory impairment.

6

(d) None of the above apply.

8. Navigation and maintaining safety, using a guide dog or other aid if normally used.

(a) Unable to navigate around familiar surroundings, without being accompanied by another person, due to sensory impairment.

15

(b) Cannot safely complete a potentially hazardous task such as crossing the road, without being accompanied by another person, due to sensory impairment.

15

(c) Unable to navigate around unfamiliar surroundings, without being accompanied by another person, due to sensory impairment.

9

(d) None of the above apply.

9. Absence or loss of control leading to extensive evacuation of the bowel and/or bladder, other than enuresis (bed-wetting) despite the presence of any aids or adaptations normally used.

(a) At least once a month experiences:

(i) loss of control leading to extensive evacuation of the bowel and/or voiding of the bladder; or

(ii) substantial leakage of the contents of a collecting device sufficient to require cleaning and a change in clothing.

15

(b) At risk of loss of control leading to extensive evacuation of the bowel and/or voiding of the bladder, sufficient to require cleaning and a change in clothing, if not able to reach a toilet quickly.

6

(c) None of the above apply.

10. Consciousness during waking moments.

(a) At least once a week, has an involuntary episode of lost or altered

15

Consciousness resulting in significantly disrupted awareness or concentration.

(b) At least once a month, has an involuntary episode of lost or altered consciousness resulting in significantly disrupted awareness or concentration.

6

(c) None of the above apply.

Descriptors and scores for each mental, cognitive and intellectual function assessment

11. Learning tasks.

(a) Cannot learn how to complete a simple task, such as setting an alarm clock.

15

(b) Cannot learn anything beyond a simple task, such as setting an alarm clock.

9

(c) Cannot learn anything beyond a moderately complex task, such as the steps involved in operating a washing machine to clean clothes.

6

(d) None of the above apply.

12. Awareness of 15 everyday hazards (such as boiling water or sharp objects).

(a) Reduced awareness of everyday hazards leads to a significant risk of:

(i) injury to self or others; or

(ii) damage to property or possessions such that they require supervision for the majority of the time to maintain safety.

15

(b) Reduced awareness of everyday hazards leads to a significant risk of:

(i) injury to self or others; or

(ii) damage to property or possessions such that they frequently require supervision to maintain safety.

9

(c) Reduced awareness of everyday hazards leads to a significant risk of:

(i) injury to self or others; or

(ii) damage to property or possessions such that they occasionally

6

(d) None of the above apply.

13. Initiating and completing personal action (which means planning, organisation, problem solving, prioritising or switching tasks).

(a) Cannot, due to impaired mental function, reliably initiate or complete at least 2 sequential personal actions.

15

(b) Cannot, due to impaired mental function, reliably initiate or complete at least 2 personal actions for the majority of the time.

9

(c) Frequently cannot, due to impaired mental function, reliably initiate or complete at least 2 personal actions.

6

(d) None of the above apply

14. Coping with change.

(a) Cannot cope with any change to the extent that day to day life cannot be managed.

15

(b) Cannot cope with minor planned change (such as a pre-arranged change to the routine time scheduled for a lunch break), to the extent that overall day to day life is made significantly more difficult.

9

(c) Cannot cope with minor unplanned change (such as the timing of an appointment on the day it is due to occur), to the extent that overall, day to day life is made significantly more difficult.

6

(d) None of the above apply.

15. Getting about.

(a) Cannot get to any specified place with which the claimant is familiar.

15

(b) Is unable to get to a specified place with which the claimant is familiar, without being accompanied by another person.

9

(c) Is unable to get to a specified place with which the claimant is unfamiliar without being accompanied by another person.

6

(d) None of the above apply.

16. Coping with social engagement due to cognitive impairment or mental disorder.

(a) Engagement in social contact is always precluded due to difficulty relating to others or significant distress experienced by the individual.

15

(b) Engagement in social contact with someone unfamiliar to the claimant is always precluded due to difficulty relating to others or significant distress experienced by the individual.

9

(c) Engagement in social contact with someone unfamiliar to the claimant is not possible for the majority of the time due to difficulty relating to others or significant distress experienced by the individual.

6

(d) None of the above apply.

17. Appropriateness of behaviour with other people, due to cognitive impairment or mental disorder.

(a) Has, on a daily basis, uncontrollable episodes of aggressive or disinhibited behaviour that would be unreasonable in any workplace.

15

(b) Frequently has uncontrollable episodes of aggressive or disinhibited behaviour that would be unreasonable in any workplace.

15

(c) Occasionally has uncontrollable episodes of aggressive or disinhibited behaviour that would be unreasonable in any workplace.

9

(d) None of the above apply.