New UC Claim

Wilsonwinehouse

Morning..

Just wanted to ask some advice.

I am about to make a new claim for UC, I am registered severely sight impaired (blind) and i wanted to ask, when i do the claim, do you tell them that straight away on the claim form, does it ask you?

If so and i tell them and supply evidence, i know you have to have an assessment for the LCWRA but in the mean time, what is expected of you as a new claim, do i have to go to the jobcentre, do i have to look for work, I only ask as i cannot see so its pretty difficult.

Any advice welcome

Thanks

poppy123456

If you live with a partner you will need to claim as a couple. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you’re excluded from claiming.

When you start your claim you will need to report your health condition. You will then need to send a fit note within 7 days of that and continue to send them without any gaps until a decision is made on your work capability assessment.

Usually around 29 days later they will refer you for the work capability assessment. Once this is done you’ll receive a letter on your journal telling you that have referred you. A few days after that you will receive the UC50 form. This will need to be filled in and returned with all your supporting evidence. This process can take several months. Most people have assessments which mostly take place through telephone. 

Once you’ve submitted your UC claim you will receive your first payment 1 month and 6 days later. You won’t know if there’s any entitlement until you receive your first statement, which will be about 1 month and a couple of days after you started your claim.

You can ask for an advance payment but this will need to be repaid back and reduce your future payments. 

When claiming UC you are classed as a job seeker until a decision is made on your work capability assessment. It’s a work coaches discretion whether they turn off or reduce work commitments. 

For your first appointment usually you’re expected to attend your local job centre but you can ask for a telephone appointment as a reasonable adjustment. 

Wilsonwinehouse

Thanks for getting back to me..

When you say fit note, I imagine thats something i need to get from my Dr? Can i just call them and tell them thats what i am looking for?

poppy123456

Yes your GP, pharmacist or nurse can do this so you’ll need to contact either of them. 

Wilsonwinehouse

Thank you.. 

Wilsonwinehouse

With regards to the fit note, is it all done in paper form, do they all need to be posted to a certain place or are the digital and can you just email them over?

poppy123456

When you report your health condition, it will come up on your "to do list" to report a fit note. You can then report it on your journal. You will need to make sure you keep that fit note just incase they ask to see proof.

When the exisiting fit note is due to expire, you'll have a message on your journal a week or so before the one expires to remind you to report another fit note. You need to make sure there are no gaps.

Wilsonwinehouse

Excellent.. thank you, first time claiming for UC and being severely sight impaired, its a little daunting.

Can the Dr refuse a note, shall i just tell them that its for the new claim until i get to my assessment as such?

poppy123456

Yes you can be refused a fit note but if this happens just ask to speak to another GP or go to a pharmacist because they can write them now.