ATOS Appeals & Reconsiderations

News Flash!  The DWP have finally admitted that due to the ongoing back log of pending ATOS appeals that the system is close to breaking point. With this in mind Jobcentre staff are being asked to ring each petitioner at home and try to persuade them to accept a Reconsideration instead of an appeal. They will tell you that this is a quicker process as the decision will be undertaken by your local Jobcentre and you will avoid all the stress of  a formal appeal procedure. What they won’t tell you is that

·         The whole point of a reconsideration offer is to bring down the number of formal appeals pending and massage government disability statistics

·         That they have been authorised to pressure you for a verbal agreement there and then for you to waive your right to appeal

·         That they will keep on ringing you at random intervals for up to 6 weeks in order to get such an agreement

·         That phone calls will be followed by formal letters implying that you may not get your benefits reinstated/backdated unless you agree. (This is not true!)

DO NOT BE BULLIED INTO AGREEING TO THIS! All reconsiderations will be automatically conceded to ATOS and not only will your benefits will be stopped there are no further rights to appeal the decision ( in the small print on the letters). Insist on your right to a formal appeal and stick to your guns. If we all do this the system cannot possibly cope with the increasing numbers of appeals and we can give these bastards the thrashing they deserve.

Name and address withheld.