Reply from DWP decision maker !!!!!

Brilliant comment. I will save this to use in my next correspondance with MP.

Thanks for the replys - at least i know the tribunal will look at my Doctors reports ect and be able to see me. and it looks like there are plenty more people out there having problems with the way they treat by these Attos medicals Thanks Again Neil

Can anyone clarify which organisation (DWP or Atos Healthcare)employs the initial decision-maker who acts upon the information provided in one's completed ESA 50 form and then decides if one must attend a face to face assessment at an Atos Healthcare interrogation centre eg., Balham, South London?

Is it a DWP employee or Atos employee who has the responsibility to initially decide?

I have found conflicting information in this regard.

I returned in person my form ( inside official addressed and postage paid enveloppe)at the London Wembley address ---it is merely a post collection box situated in front of Inland Revenue offices: The actual Atos office address that deals with completed forms is at a different address nearby.

John

J The Divine B wrote:

Can anyone clarify which organisation (DWP or Atos Healthcare)employs the initial decision-maker who acts upon the information provided in one's completed ESA 50 form and then decides if one must attend a face to face assessment at an Atos Healthcare interrogation centre eg., Balham, South London?

Is it a DWP employee or Atos employee who has the responsibility to initially decide?

I have found conflicting information in this regard.

I returned in person my form ( inside official addressed and postage paid enveloppe)at the London Wembley address ---it is merely a post collection box situated in front of Inland Revenue offices: The actual Atos office address that deals with completed forms is at a different address nearby.

John

I think the process goes something like.

Your file comes up for assessment, DM (DWP) checks if they have enough info to grant ESA (WRAG or Support) on evidence they hold. If so would then consult ATOS on the medical evidence. ATOS would then either recommend an award ESA WRAG Support, or could say more evidence is needed, by issueing ESA50 questionnaire.

ESA50 returned to ATOS who if they decide more evidence needed would then request a face to face assessment.

Face to face assessment report then returned to DWP DM electronically, and DM makes decision on all evidence in front of him.

So the (DWP) DM acts at the start and end of the process, ATOS are contracted to carry out and administer all facets of the medical and disability analysis part of the process.

It is quite common for ATOS & DWP to give people the run around as to who does what.

The DWP DM is not medically qualified.

I'm sure if I have this wrong one of the Mods will rectify it.

bro58.

Hi John

DWP decision makers are acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and are solely responsible for making decisions in relation to ESA claims.

However they receive advice from Atos for both, determining fitness for work and whether a face-to-face assessment is required.

Regards

Derek

Thanks, to bro58 and Derek for the info.

Accepting all, yet I cannot comprehend how the initial decision maker is DWP employee.
In London a completed ESA50 form is required to be sent in post-free and addressed enveloppe to the London Wembley Atos fake 'official address' which is a post box in the wall. I have authoritative admission that this is so to ensure to "negate" Atos patients' contact.

The 'official' address at 3 Olympic Way is in fact dedicated Inland Revenue offices.

I have pushed this issue with my only possible Atos contact, manager in customer-relations,who has had difficulties to get response from me from secret Wembley bunker which has done everything not to respond directly and only releases belatedly and begrudgingly a tiny portion of proper information one requires.

How is it that an Atos 'address' is first port of call and yet the initial decision maker is a DWP non-medical employee?

Do the DWP employee initial decision makers work on-site at Atos fake addresses or is the completed form dispatched from Atos fake letter box or adjacent ofices to the DWP initial decision maker located elsewhere at DWP office?

grateful for any clarification.


PS Nothing to stop one from demanding the written reasons by initial decision maker for requirement to attend for Face to Face assessment? If so, where to write? ---to local fake address or DWP at local Jobcentre Plus or to relevant manager at DWP Benefits HEAD OFFICE for UK which recently moved to Plaza Buildings, Belfast BT1