Atos/WCA documentary's

Thought I'd just add my experiences here.

I have had 3 previous assessments. 2 needed to be appealed. 1 said there was literally NOTHING wrong with me. The first assessment I asked for "reconsideration" (I was told this was the first stage of appeal anyway, and that I would still get basic payments). After 4 months it was decided, but I wasn't paid at all during that time. I did get a rebate, but the point is they don't know their own system. During the first assessment, I was asked for names and addresses of all my specialists - I was being treated for depression only at this time, but gave them GP, consultant psychiatrist, consultant psychologist and CPN. Having turned me down, I found out they hadn't contacted ANY of those people to ask about my health.
After that horrible experience, I took my CPN to my second assessment. She had to take time out of her working day to come with me as I was far too anxious to drive, and am too anxious in general to use public transport. This assessment was successful.
Third assessment - CPN also with me. Cried for over half the interview. Didn't look the assessor in the eye once. Leg was shaking throughout. Was told my behaviour was normal?? Refused again, had to appeal. Took another 4 months, but at least got basic pay this time, as we went straight to appeal, and got a rebate for the difference.
It's worth saying at this point that over the time these interviews took place, I was placed in the "work related activity group" - the group designed to get people back to work with help. I got 1 letter right at the beginning saying I would get a personal advisor to talk to and to help me. I never heard any more. Didn't get a personal advisor. Was never contacted about what help I'd need to work. Was never contacted in any way about what work I could do or anything at all.
After 2nd appeal successful, I inexplicably got a letter saying I had been moved from work related activity to "support group" - the group where they don't expect you to work again. I fully expect to work again, just not right now. No explanation given for why it was changed.
Due to the indescribable level of stress caused by previous experiences, I was advised to ask for a home visit this time instead of going to the strange place with strange people which works me up. After 4 months (see a theme here) of waiting, finally got told when my appointment would be. Had said in the form we couldn't do tues or thurs in general because I needed my mum with me and she worked those days. Appt organised for a tuesday. Rang up to change this and was told it would count as a cancellation and any more would stop my benefits. My mum (who was speaking for me as I hate phones) calmly said she didn't think it should count as a cancellation as we'd already said we couldn't do those days for legit reasons. Operator called my mum arsey. My mother has never in her life been arsey, and certainly wasn't this time as I was listening to the conversation.

Had my home visit 2 weeks ago. Freaking out every time the phone goes in case it's them stopping my benefits which - on the balance of probabilities - they will be. This is the first one since my diagnosis though, so you never know. 

All in all, I'm not at all surprised that people have killed themselves over these assessments. I would have hoped the government had enough humanity to realise that any system that makes people kill themselves is not appropriate. But clearly not - they've just awarded new contracts to Atos :(

Thought I'd just add my experiences here.

I have had 3 previous assessments. 2 needed to be appealed. 1 said there was literally NOTHING wrong with me. The first assessment I asked for "reconsideration" (I was told this was the first stage of appeal anyway, and that I would still get basic payments). After 4 months it was decided, but I wasn't paid at all during that time. I did get a rebate, but the point is they don't know their own system. During the first assessment, I was asked for names and addresses of all my specialists - I was being treated for depression only at this time, but gave them GP, consultant psychiatrist, consultant psychologist and CPN. Having turned me down, I found out they hadn't contacted ANY of those people to ask about my health.
After that horrible experience, I took my CPN to my second assessment. She had to take time out of her working day to come with me as I was far too anxious to drive, and am too anxious in general to use public transport. This assessment was successful.
Third assessment - CPN also with me. Cried for over half the interview. Didn't look the assessor in the eye once. Leg was shaking throughout. Was told my behaviour was normal?? Refused again, had to appeal. Took another 4 months, but at least got basic pay this time, as we went straight to appeal, and got a rebate for the difference.
It's worth saying at this point that over the time these interviews took place, I was placed in the "work related activity group" - the group designed to get people back to work with help. I got 1 letter right at the beginning saying I would get a personal advisor to talk to and to help me. I never heard any more. Didn't get a personal advisor. Was never contacted about what help I'd need to work. Was never contacted in any way about what work I could do or anything at all.
After 2nd appeal successful, I inexplicably got a letter saying I had been moved from work related activity to "support group" - the group where they don't expect you to work again. I fully expect to work again, just not right now. No explanation given for why it was changed.
Due to the indescribable level of stress caused by previous experiences, I was advised to ask for a home visit this time instead of going to the strange place with strange people which works me up. After 4 months (see a theme here) of waiting, finally got told when my appointment would be. Had said in the form we couldn't do tues or thurs in general because I needed my mum with me and she worked those days. Appt organised for a tuesday. Rang up to change this and was told it would count as a cancellation and any more would stop my benefits. My mum (who was speaking for me as I hate phones) calmly said she didn't think it should count as a cancellation as we'd already said we couldn't do those days for legit reasons. Operator called my mum arsey. My mother has never in her life been arsey, and certainly wasn't this time as I was listening to the conversation.

Had my home visit 2 weeks ago. Freaking out every time the phone goes in case it's them stopping my benefits which - on the balance of probabilities - they will be. This is the first one since my diagnosis though, so you never know. 

All in all, I'm not at all surprised that people have killed themselves over these assessments. I would have hoped the government had enough humanity to realise that any system that makes people kill themselves is not appropriate. But clearly not - they've just awarded new contracts to Atos :(