@ChrisMayLA6@sufferforme thank you for the link. The application is also written in a certain way as to mislead, the applicant needs evidence to back up every single issue which the government/ATOS/Capita (or whatever the latter refer themselves as today) know is hard to do. My own background is within law so I know how to put cases together accumulating all specific case law and evidence in the right sequence, cross referencing etc. A person-on-the-street does not have this skill, and the government are counting in that.
Applicants are able to record the assessment as long as it's on tapes, yes, tapes and that two identical recordings are made. Again making it difficult for people to do this as cassettes and recording equipment is hard to come by. I recommend doing this though as it gives the DWP a lot less wiggle room.
Applicants need to ask for the assessor's notes in writing from the DWP immediately after the assessment is over. Also make a note of the assessor's name as well then the applicant can check whether the assessor has the correct medical background/training to correctly makes decisions (Clue: 9 out of 10 don't).
Once the assessor's report is in your hands scrutise it, raise every discrepancy with the DWP and make sure to cross reference them or provide additional evidence and/or case law.
Oh yes, don't make phone calls to the DWP, put everything in writing, send it by Recorded Delivery to ensure a signature, when sending the application in with all the evidence it'd be best going by Special Delivery. Keep a copy of that as well plus all postage receipts and file it all to one side. No phone calls, ever.
All of this, and more, goes into the appeal application.
CatherineFlick