0 points ATOS IB to ESA medical...

Hi, received medical report stating I scored 0 points in an Incapacity Benefit to ESA migration medical by ATOS.
After the "medical" it took a couple of days to recover from the patronising attitude of the nurse, who until receiving the report I thought was a Doctor! She must also be a psychic in her spare time as she seemed to know more about injuries and pain than my highly respected surgeon, pain clinics and GP of the last 15+ years.

The fact of being on morphine and other stronger drugs for chronic pain, (24/7 pain which several times a day prevents me from being able to speak or move, as well as effecting concentration and memory) the loss of use of an arm and a badly damaged leg doesnt seem to be an issue for being "fit to work" after all "ESA is about what you can do not what you can't!"

Most of the report states how I "declined"? to move my arm and how my leg/knee/ankle had normal movement - impossible as anyone I know could tell you!
Have asked for appeal papers to be sent out and forms on how to report this "healthcare professional" as they dont seem to be aware how they are impacting peoples lives by writing untruths.

Strangely enough if for some reason I don't win the appeal and job offers dont come flooding in, then due to being on jobseekers allowance I was told (providing I move house!!) I could possibly claim housing benefit, council tax rebate, free prescriptions etc adding up to more for DWP than what my IB was a month....

Sorry for ranting even the drugs didnt help me sleep last night.... was also told the tribunual waiting list is now 7-8 months here.. until which time I will be on lower appeal rate of ESA.

Hi Aberdon,

Good luck with the appeal - we frequently have people who go from zero points to winning at appeal. In fact in yesterday's newsletter there was one person who had gone from zero to 36 points.

In the meantime, have you checked whether you are currently eligible for things like HB and CTB as they are means-tested benefits which you may be able to claim regardless of what benefits you do or don't receive.

Good luck,

Steve

I hope you'll be writing to your MP about this as well.

BB