The weird and funny world of atos and dwp

Hey everyone sorry it’s been a while.
I thought I would give everyone a laugh here it goes…
My stepdad applied for pip in February on the grounds of depression anxiety agrophbia and diabetes..
He had a phone assessment end of may and I told him to ask for the pa4.
Well it went back to audit as they sometimes do and that’s where it all went downhill…
His phone call was with a woman hcp and the report was written by a man hcp the woman didn’t mention there was someone else sitting in on the call but my step dad didn’t record it so I didn’t say anything about that in the mr just thought it was funny maybe that’s my dry sense of humour for you haha.
He got awarded just 10 points in the mobility bit because he doesn’t leave his home at all due to his agrophobia… no points in the daily descriptor bits now that is a strange one considering he should of got points for engaging with people face to face at the very least because he doesn’t go out!!
This is where I come in and I ripped that report to shreds… it was fun!!
They said because he holds a driving license he isn’t at risk of needing points in the washing and bathing but like seriously are they becoming that lazy they can’t even come up with a legitimate reason for not awarding points anymore…. So I just highlighted the bits that went with why he scored this amount of points like people have said on here short and to the point…
The one that got me the most was engaging with people face to face bearing in mine they already admitted he can’t leave the house due to overwhelming psychological distress but apparently he only needs promoting to engage with people face to face so I just put it polity that he can’t talk to people face to face and highlighted the relevant section with the evidence to back it up…
He wasn’t even awarded points in the meal bit even though they said he only uses a microwave but again because he holds a driving license he doesn’t get any points…
How lazy are atos becoming writing rubbish reports and ruling points out due to holding a driving license he doesn’t have a car anymore because he doesn’t go out and they even wrote that he doesn’t go out….
Oh and they ruled out depression because he’s not on any medication for it so I again highlighted he’s antidepressant and write next to it this is an antidepressant if hcp don’t even know what tablets are what then they should go find another profession.
Who knew atos could go any lower turns out they have gone down a hole and they don’t even care about making the reports even a little bit true….
As from the dwp well who ever read that report obviously was hungover from the night before and was half asleep.
That report was good for one thing and one thing only toilet roll and if the shortage of toilet roll was still an issue I for one would of wiped my bum with it haha.
I shall keep you updated with the next chapter of what the heck is going on in the world haha.

Hi Natalie,

Why am I not surprised? Atos are supposed to be professional, highly trained outfit. At my last face to face assessment four years ago, the PIP assessment centre's walls were adorned with posters to 'reassure' claimants with the message ' We are not here to try to catch you out, but to help you'.

Rubbish!

Consequently, they handle everything very shoddily and act like some grubby little outfit.

Why do these extremely unfair and downright deceitful assessment reports crop up time after time - with the same tactics seemingly employed by different people?

Do they pass tips on? The zero points tactic and the 'can drive so can juggle sharp knives in a kitchen whilst cooking to Michelin Star standards' approach is nothing but pure poppycock.

I read your post with despair, Natalie. I'm glad you managed to make light of it but deep down I know you must be appalled at the grubby, unprofessional treatment of your stepdad.

I wish you all the best in bringing justice for him.

If only these people knew how much they are messing with peoples' lives and, in some cases ruining them, perhaps they would change their tune and show some empathy and compassion.

I doubt it, though. Some people just don't care and they should not be allowed to hold positions where they can cause so much stress, despair, and heartbreak to fellow human beings.

Kind regards,

Phrank.

I loved the bit about juggling knives that was hilarious do you think you could recommend that saying to atos I bet they could squeeze that in one of there reports haha!!
And strangely enough I don’t feel despair or sad about this situation because this forum has given me so much information and help that it’s made me feel strong about fighting this unjust system and knowing I’m not alone has made me even more determined and I’m done with them targeting mental health claimants because they think they can get away with it well not anymore I will fight for what is right and I have the tools and support from you lovely people to do it…
So thank you all I really mean that.