Length of time ATOS are taking

I just wonder if anyone has news as to how long ATOS are taking to process people who are on Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disability Allowance, or Income Support to see if they are eligible for the Employment and Support Allowance?

I sent in the questionaire called 'Limited Capability for Work' to ATOS (Wembley PO Box 1044 London, SW95 9EB) which has been acknowledged as received by them on 28th Aug 2013. I have called several times to see if any progress has been made as to their decision, and none has been made as yet. The last time I called was yesterday. The phone was answered by a pleasant sounding woman. She was apologetic and said she couldn't say how long this would still take. It seems - at least from this London office - that the processing is somewhat backlogged. it is coming up to three months. My anxiety over all this is always in the background. How much longer can this take? I think these extraordinary time delays need highlighting in the press!

Hi RB and welcome to the forum.

On the assumption that you are new to the site, as well as the forum, this will help you find your way around.

Welcome to Benefits and Work

I'm afraid that DWP and ATOS have a considerable backlog and it is taking months for them to look at claims. In my own case, it was 5 months after submitting my ESA50 form before I heard anything else - and that was before the current backlog!

There is no time-frame in which DWP have to make a decision.

How long until they make a decision?

Some people feel that their MP should know how the system is really working (or not working, as the case may be!), they cannot interfere with the actual decision but they can, and some of them do, put a rocket up the tail of DWP and get things moving.

Contacting your MP