WCA Evidence For WCA

Alex_Shafner

Hey,

I've posted before about my friend who's been claiming ESA, she's been asked to attend a WCA, since the appointment was booked she has send more medical evidence, namely: A GP support letter, letter from CBT confirming her treatment, letters from friends and family, copy of a prescription and a copy of all her appointment details with her GP, at present she's seeing him weekly.

She's claiming for severe social anxiety, anxiety and depression.

She heard back from the assessment centre's manager who said she still needs to undertake the WCA even though she's submitted additional evidence. They've changed her appointment to give her the first appointment of the day so there's less time in the waiting room.

She has got herself in a state dreading the WCA, she was wondering if there is anymore evidence she can obtain that would defer the WCA?

If she can't get out of the WCA is there any tips she can get for how to survive the WCA?

Cheers guys!

Indie_Kid

What good will deferring the WCA do? it's better to just get it over and done with, imo.

nannytone_2

if her GP writes a letter requesting a hone visit, they MAY consider it.
but she will still need an assessment regardless of where it takes place

pmlindyloo

nannytone wrote: »

if her GP writes a letter requesting a hone visit, they MAY consider it.
but she will still need an assessment regardless of where it takes place

The problem is that it seems that she has already sent them copies of her doctor's appointments whom she sees on a weekly basis. As far as I know if your doctor doesn't make home visits to you then you would be expected to attend the assessment.

Reading your previous thread it seems that your friend cannot speak to her doctor but hands him notes to read. I hope he/she has written this in his/her letter as evidence of her severe social anxiety.

It is very important that someone accompanies your friend to support her.

As hard as it seems, seeing someone in an unfamiliar situation and their reaction/behaviour to this will be much stronger evidence than any letter.

billywilly

pmlindyloo wrote: »

The problem is that it seems that she has already sent them copies of her doctor's appointments whom she sees on a weekly basis. As far as I know if your doctor doesn't make home visits to you then you would be expected to attend the assessment.

Reading your previous thread it seems that your friend cannot speak to her doctor but hands him notes to read. I hope he/she has written this in his/her letter as evidence of her severe social anxiety.

It is very important that someone accompanies your friend to support her.

As hard as it seems, seeing someone in an unfamiliar situation and their reaction/behaviour to this will be much stronger evidence than any letter.

Just a quick question. Why do you say that someone should go with her? Surely this would only apply if the OP is unable to go out on her own in normal circumstances when at home?
I went on my own and drove the car myself to my last ESA assessment albeit that it was in 2013 as that is what I do normally. They did try to make something of it, but at least i didn't try to act any different than I normally do.
Also, wasn't it the intention with ESA that people would have to have regular face to face assessments? I did, three in 4 years.

nannytone_2

no one is saying that someone going with her would help her claim, just that having someone with her for support may help her levels of anxiety.

i have been receiving ESA since july 2011 and have only had one face to face assessment. the 2 others have been referred straight back to the DWP as i have a condition that cannot improve, and i continue to meet the descriptors of support group ESA

Errata

A letter from her GP making it very clear why they have to see her every week could be helpful. Is it because she's at high risk of serious self harm? Or something else.

themarsbargirl

Can the GP give her a short (i.e. one day) dose of diazepam (or appropriate short term anti anxiety drug) just to get her through the interview?

I'm dreading when mine comes through for similar reasons but on my form I told them that they needed to contact my Dad directly to arrange appt as I am phone phobic and that I needed Dad to come with me (my Dad is my primary carer)...whether or not they take note of that is a whole other thing.

billywilly

nannytone wrote: »

i have been receiving ESA since july 2011 and have only had one face to face assessment. the 2 others have been referred straight back to the DWP as i have a condition that cannot improve, and i continue to meet the descriptors of support group ESA

So do I, one that will in the short term see me off, but that fact certainly didn't wash with the DWP or ATOS.
The result of each reassessment and face to face interview with ATOS, was that there is nothing wrong with me! Yet in every appeal the Tribunal thought differently and placed me in the support group for another year.