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ESA query: To phone ATOS or not?
- MariW
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11 years 7 months ago - 11 years 7 months ago #112800 by MariW
ESA query: To phone ATOS or not? was created by MariW
A friend posted his ESA 50 by special delivery on 1st July- exactly four months ago. He has not heard a thing. I have passed on the information I’ve picked up on this forum, reassuring him that four months is not unusual but he can find out something about the status of his claim by phoning or emailing ATOS and asking whether his form is still with them or has been forwarded to the DWP.
My friend will not phone or email. Neither will he let anybody act on his behalf. Apparently, a welfare advisor told him and other benign brain tumour patients that on no account ought he contact ATOS or the DWP before receiving a decision letter.
There is probably some merit in leaving well alone but the claimant is getting very anxious. In addition, it has crossed my mind that paperwork can be lost in the best of office environments. Is there a risk in contacting ATOS? For example, are claimants more likely to be invited to a face-face assessment if they draw attention to themselves?
MW
My friend will not phone or email. Neither will he let anybody act on his behalf. Apparently, a welfare advisor told him and other benign brain tumour patients that on no account ought he contact ATOS or the DWP before receiving a decision letter.
There is probably some merit in leaving well alone but the claimant is getting very anxious. In addition, it has crossed my mind that paperwork can be lost in the best of office environments. Is there a risk in contacting ATOS? For example, are claimants more likely to be invited to a face-face assessment if they draw attention to themselves?
MW
Last edit: 11 years 7 months ago by Gordon.
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11 years 7 months ago #112801 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA query: To phone ATOS or not?
MW
The decision whether to assess the claimant or not is made by an ATOS doctor, any phone call or email you make will be received by an administrator who's only access to a claimants records is via a computer screen, I doubt the two are in the same building, they are probably not even in the same county.
Tell them to send an email asking for an update on their claim, that way there is no opportunity for a "conversation" to occur and hopefully they will find out what is going on.
Gordon
The decision whether to assess the claimant or not is made by an ATOS doctor, any phone call or email you make will be received by an administrator who's only access to a claimants records is via a computer screen, I doubt the two are in the same building, they are probably not even in the same county.
Tell them to send an email asking for an update on their claim, that way there is no opportunity for a "conversation" to occur and hopefully they will find out what is going on.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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11 years 7 months ago #112802 by MariW
Replied by MariW on topic ESA query: To phone ATOS or not?
Gordon,
Thanks for that information. I hope it will reassure my friend but if not ihis family will be able to inform the other claimants who have seen the same welfare advisor.
MW
Thanks for that information. I hope it will reassure my friend but if not ihis family will be able to inform the other claimants who have seen the same welfare advisor.
MW
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