ATOS waiting times

Mesozoic wrote: I first wrote just after receiving the diagnosis. That would have been around 17th December last year. I think I may have been in the initial stages of this disease when I first claimed ESA although I didn't know it at the time. Because my condition was getting worse I went to my GP who referred me to the consultant. When I knew what was the matter I went to CAB and was told to ask the DWP for a supercession.

As this is a SuperSession and not a Reconsideration as you indicated in your original post, the process will be different.

First of all, I would expect you to receive a new ESA50 to complete, you will need to do this in detail based on your current condition(s).

Please be aware that both the ESA Descriptors and Regulations have been updated since your last review.

You will need to provide new evidence, covering the last year, that shows that you now meet criteria for the Support Group, as you are the one requesting the assessment, the onus is on you to provide this information, you should not rely on the DWP or ATOS to contact either your GP or your Consultant.

Whilst you were not required to attend a face to face assessment last time, I think it likely that you will be required to do so this time.

There is no specified timescale for Supersession to be completed within, but I would think you are looking at a minimum of three months and possibly a lot longer.

Please have a look at our updated ESA Guides in the Members Only area for the details of the changes to ESA I mentioned above.

Gordon

Mesozoic wrote: Hello,

Well I'm still waiting! I've telephoned the DWP who told me to telephone ATOS who told me to telephone the DWP........I suspect I'm being given the runaround. Something I have noticed is that whenever I mention "supersession" to either the DWP or ATOS they don't know what it means and I have to explain it!!!

Unfortunately, you should not assume that the DWP staff in the call centres have anything other than a basic understanding of the benefits system.

The procedure for a Supersession, unless you provided detail information with your request, is that the DWP should request ATOS to issue an ESA50, so your first port of call should be the DWP, to find out if this has happened, as the call centre staff seem unable to help you with this, I would escalate the problems to a Customer Manager, which will require a call back.

If a request has been issued, then contact ATOS to find out where the ESA50 is.

Gordon