Home medical refusal

I'm hoping someone can give me some advice.

I have suffered from severe agorophobia for 17 years. I have not been able to leave my home at all for over 6 years whether anyone is with me or not.

I got my letter in June to say I'm being migrated from IB to ESA. I filled the questionnaire in thoroughly using the guides from this website. A couple of weeks ago they requested I attend a medical 20 miles from my home which I can't do. My GP sent a letter to them to say I would need a medical at home. Today I have received a letter from Atos saying my request for a home medical has been refused, I'm shocked! I've always been granted IB medicals at home. I really don't know what to do now. I absolutely can't get to a medical centre so I assume they will put me down as a refusal to attend and then stop my benefits? I can't get out to claim JSA so will have no money to live on. How do I show that I have good cause for not attending the medical?

Sorry this is long. Any advice appreciated, I'm feeling a bit desperate now.

It would not be Atos that would determiine whether your failure to attend would affect your benefits, but a DWP decision maker, who would be under a duty to consider all the relevant circumstances, and would have to consider the evidence from your GP.

If the DWP did decide that you must attend a medical at a centre when you are unable to leave the house, I suggest that you contact your MP as the feedback we get on here suggests that MPs can often help in difficult cases where others cannot.

Hi N,

I would contact my M.P. as Survivor says, ASAP, use the link below to find out contact details. :

www.writetothem.com/

Further, have you informed your G.P. that they have total ignored his advice.

You can make a request in writing for "Reasonable Adjustments" with regard to your disability, under The Equalities Act 2010.

As ATOS and the DWP are service providers, they are compelled to adhere to any justified request for reasonable adjustments.

Good luck

bro58

Ok thank you. I wondered if it might be worth by-passing Atos and writing to the DM at the DWP direct to explain the situation? If they refuse me ESA I imagine I'll lose my housing benefit as well and then my flat. For an agoraphobic like me that thought is what's worrying me most.

Bro58 - thanks for the link, I think I'll definitely have to contact my MP. My GP is ok but not a huge amount of help if I'm honest.

Think I need to contact CAB or someone for some help as so far I've done it all on my own.

Nicola wrote:

Ok thank you. I wondered if it might be worth by-passing Atos and writing to the DM at the DWP direct to explain the situation? If they refuse me ESA I imagine I'll lose my housing benefit as well and then my flat. For an agoraphobic like me that thought is what's worrying me most.

Hi N,

It is ATOS who deal with all the medical side of the ESA WCA, the DWP ESA DM makes the decision on the actually award of the allowance.

I would copy both ATOS and the ESA DM in on any correspondence, post it by recorded delivery, and keep copy.

As you have already stated you may lose your benefit if you fail to attend the face to face assessment, so I would ensure that the issue is sorted out before the date of attendance.

M.P.'s have been quite quick and helpful to some members, so worth contacting him/her as well.

Is this link to ATOS site of any help:

www.atoshealthcare.com/index.php?option=...ion&id=14&Itemid=288


bro58