ATOS assessment (Home or Medical Centre)

I have recently filled in a ESA50 form. I returned it and sent considerable medical information with it to ATOS. Amongst this information is (repeatedly) the fact that I suffer from very severe anxiety episodes. I lose balance,fall over,become very dizzy and nauseous and have blackouts. I then sleep for hours. I can`t concentrate or speak clearly. (I have been told by my GP that this is vertigo/anxiety attacks). I have recently been referred to a psychotherapist, who has offered to write me a letter to Atos to ask for the `medical assessment` to take place at home. Both my therapist and I are new to dealing with ATOS. We are not sure how to word a letter to request this, is there anywhere we can get an idea of how to do this, HELP

My doctor wrote me a letter today saying I would be unable to attend the medical centre and needed a home visit. I send my form in for the 1st DEC. can they just ignore that.

Iris wrote:

I have recently filled in a ESA50 form. I returned it and sent considerable medical information with it to ATOS. Amongst this information is (repeatedly) the fact that I suffer from very severe anxiety episodes. I lose balance,fall over,become very dizzy and nauseous and have blackouts. I then sleep for hours. I can`t concentrate or speak clearly. (I have been told by my GP that this is vertigo/anxiety attacks). I have recently been referred to a psychotherapist, who has offered to write me a letter to Atos to ask for the `medical assessment` to take place at home. Both my therapist and I are new to dealing with ATOS. We are not sure how to word a letter to request this, is there anywhere we can get an idea of how to do this, HELP

Hi I,

ATOS or the DWP may send your G.P. an ESA113 questionnaire see a copy here :

www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/esa113-interactive.pdf

You will see that at question 6 your G.P. is asked whether you could attend a medical centre for assessment.

Have you discussed this with your G.P.?

Did you make a request for a home assessment on your ESA50?

If your psycotherapist wishes to write you a letter of support regarding a home assessment, it should include any reasons why your limitations would stop you using public transport or taxi to travel to the assessment centre, and any risks to your health involved.

A copy of this letter could then be sent to ATOS at the same address as your ESA50 went to, by recorded delivery.

Make sure your name, date of birth, and national insurance number are at the top of any pages of the letter.

It may also be prudent to give a copy to your G.P. and discuss it with him/her, so that they are aware of it, in case he/she receives an ESA113 to fill in.

bro58

Hi Bro58, thankyou for replying. I wish I had spoken to you earlier, but this is only the 2nd time I have been on the forum.
I did not put my request in the ESA50 form. I made that typical mistake of thinking that all my medical evidence will speak for itself. I have learned a hard lesson!I have not been informed that my GP has received a ESA113. I should have known! I am also writing to my GP to ask for his support in this, so it may be that he has already filled in the ESA113 and cannot give me the support I need.Dealing with ATOS is a very risky business.I will follow your advice.
thankyou
kind regards
I

Iris wrote:

Hi Bro58, thankyou for replying. I wish I had spoken to you earlier, but this is only the 2nd time I have been on the forum.
I did not put my request in the ESA50 form. I made that typical mistake of thinking that all my medical evidence will speak for itself. I have learned a hard lesson!I have not been informed that my GP has received a ESA113. I should have known! I am also writing to my GP to ask for his support in this, so it may be that he has already filled in the ESA113 and cannot give me the support I need.Dealing with ATOS is a very risky business.I will follow your advice.
thankyou
kind regards
I

Good luck Iris.

Let us know how you get on.

bro58

Will do,
take care
I