Are they qualified??

Hello,i'm new to the forum and if possible would like to find out if the person who you actually see when you first go for an assessment knows anything about your disability?
I have had to let the DWP know of changes and had to put in for re-assessment as my symptoms have become a lot worse,to begin with I had epilepsy for the first time in my life and bursitis in my hip so was entitled to the lower rate,this was back in march 2016
I was diagnosed with joint hypermobility syndrome,hypersensitivity and arthritis in my neck,spine,wrists,hips,knees and all the places that hypermobility also strikes in may 2016 and having them both makes my symptoms twice as bad,i can hardly walk,even wearing a blood pressure cuff kills me it's so my muscles are so painful to touch.
My first assessment was for epilepsy and bursitis the re-assessment one I had in December is because I have the new symptoms and they are a lot worse but they still have only awarded the lower amount,i am going to appeal am I doing the right thing??

Sadly, Gordon's info is, as usual, correct. However, that doesn't leave you without some arguments should it be necessary to dispute a PIP (or ESA) decision.

In my own case (PIP), the ATOS assessor was a Paramedic and, upon being asked, stated she had training "...in general medical conditions...". Translation: no specialist knowledge of the two conditions affecting me most.

In turn, when it came to requesting a Mandatory Reconsideration, I used this to my advantage by pointing out that the lack of specialist knowledge meant there was no "big picture" understanding of a) the conditions themselves and, because of that, b) how they impacted me in the round.

Regarding one of my conditions, part of my health care included input from a specialist whose report confirmed that my statements in claiming PIP were consistent with my condition(s). My GP also assisted (despite surgery policy of no help in benefit cases) with a letter. In turn, I/my rep argued (successfully) that, unlike the ATOS assessor, it was my specialist and GP who had the relevant knowledge and information and it was they who had provided the "...accurate, credible and honest..." information. It was a polite way of casting doubt upon the honesty and competence of the ATOS assessor without actually using directly abusive language (which is never recommended).

Hope this helps.

hi. if dwp/atos claim that a person isn't ill enough for benefit. can I sue nhs for a doctor giving me medication that apparantely I don't need.

regards ghandi