Help... ESA/WCA Questions!! (in SG through appeal) but called again. Carers and friends can write BUT

[LeoandBoosmum]

I am very unwell with CFS and Fibromyalgia, have been for 10 years. I am pretty well educated and was working for several years up until I got ill. I was assessed by ATOS in 2012 and put into the WRAG. I would have found meetings very difficult to attend due to the nature of my condition. I appealed with help from the CAB and was placed in the SG. I am not sure what CAB did but the original decision was overturned without the need for me to submit anything from my doctor (who had been willing to provide a letter supporting an appeal).

I live with my mum. Last time I was assessed a friend took me to the medical. The form I had submitted back then had no place for carers or friends to write. This time it does. My doctor told me that I should get my mum - who basically looks after me (also works) and does all practical stuff such as shopping, cooking, laundry etc - to write something. The problem is that my mum gets very nervous with 'professionals' and would likely fall to bits if she were contacted (which the form says will happen) to discuss further what she had written. I am not sure if they telephone or call the person in. I don't want to put her trhrough the stress of a face-to-face meeting with them... Anyone know if it's a phone call or a meeting?

I am also concerned that, while my mum knows my condition better than anyone else, she is not savvy! My condition fluctuates and with it my ability to do things and to cope, and she may be manipulated during a call or meeting into saying I can do things (eg I may be able to do something but once but not repeatedly, or not without rest, or not at all...but if mum says 'yes, sometimes she can' they might just run with that, ignoring the fact I can't reliably do it. I am aware that one reason they may have for speaking to carers and friends is to try to find contradictions!

BUT my main reason for not wanting to get my mum to write something is that she is already pretty overwhelmed.
In the past year (apart from looking after me and working), she has lost her sister - who had severe OCD - suddenly aged 54 to an aneurysm, she has had to try to grapple with Probate (and it's made her very anxious), her mum (my nan) has dementia and she reg visits her in her care home, my mum's brother was diagnosed with cancer which has spread, her sister (who lost her partner and son's father) to bowel cancer last year is showing similar signs herself and is having tests. My mum has a partner but it is a rocky relationship and she is often v low about that.
I really don't want to add to her burden...she has so much going on. Everything she does for me is out of love, she is not a paid carer, and I don't want to add to her stress right now.

I can ask a friend - older male family friend - but he doesn't know as much...he just rescues me sometimes so I can get a break from home. He doesn't see me day in and day out.He will already be taking me to the assessment if I have one which is likely (and I feel bad even asking him to commit to that) as his 40 year old niece has ovarian cancer (spread) and is facing gruelling treatment (will be fortunate to survive) :(

My doc is great but won't provide a medical letter (only does that for appeals).

So....if I have no doc's letter and don't want to ask mum or friend for supporting letters (and maybe follow-up calls) I can't see it going well for me, and I don't think I could cope with a drawn-out appeal process
:(

So, my questions are:

Will no 'evidence' from others go against me if I am already in the Support Group?

Could I submit letters from mum/ friend later on (but not now), say if I have to appeal to stay in the SG? Or would they not accept them then?

I could not cope with being in the WRAG but the idea of appealing is daunting... If I am placed in WRAG would it look bad if I didn't appeal this time, and what would happen if I could not make a meeting on the day? I hear horror stories of

I was thinking of requesting a home visit for the WCA but when I did that last time they said no...

I am hghly anxious and hope some one can help. If you do reply, I will be very grateful but probbaly won't be able to check back for a few days. I cannot always type/ focus on the PC s etc, so it's symptoms-permitting. If I can't reply quickly then it's not ignorance. It took me an age to type this :(

Thanks so much.

Hi, I will try to help and give advice as best I can, ok?
Right, can you gather evidence? From consultants, nurses, physio, and yes your GP. your GP might charge but he can write you a supportive letter. If he still refuses you can get copies of your medical notes, it'll cost you but it's well worth it. This way it's all written down, from medical professionals, and atos can't argue with it.
I've done it, I've got all my medical notes here, from GP and from every hospital that's dealt with me. I've also recently had a ct scan and I've got a copy of that....EVERY thing and ANY thing you can get your hands on, do.
Also, join the website benefitsandwork.co.uk they are brilliant and I couldn't have got half of what I have without their help.

As for the form,the part where someone can fill it in for you, you CAN leave it blank, it's not detrimental to do that.
If your friends and family are willing to write evidence letters then do it and try to include it with your application.

My situation was that I was on Incapacity benefit for years, then they wanted to assess me for ESA, I used the website benefitsandwork and was placed in the support group without needing any more evidence, or assessment or medical.

That website is amazing, it costs about £20 for a years subscription, but I've found it invaluable.

If you want any more help just ask, but GATHER EVIDENCE!!!! Seriously, you might think it's not worth it, but it is. No one at the dwp ( I doubt) can read a ct scan, but I send my copy to them just to prove it's there and its complete evidence of what I keep telling them!
Good luck.
J x