UCD35

Ray212

If they want to speak to you face to face/telephone etc is an entry put in your journal? 

My reason for asking is I returned the form a month ago on Monday and I know waiting times vary however around my way the post is delayed by over 2 weeks, was even in the local paper. So if they sent me an interview or anything I am worried I could miss it due to this postal delay.

I see they have an email address, is it worth writing to them to as whats happening with my form or like I said will something be put in the journal or sent a text or something.

poppy123456

No they don't put your assessment appointment in your journal. If they have a mobile number as contact for you then you will receive text reminders of the appointment date/time so no need to worry about the post.

Ray212

Ah that's reassuring thanks. 

Ray212

Finally got the assessment letter through. Telephone assessment next Thursday

Hannah_Alumni

Fingers crossed for you @ray212!  

Ray212

Thank you Hannah

StillIRise

Ray212 said:

Thank you. Without a doubt this has been the most stressful time in a long time, even more than my PIP form. And thank you again, I really do appreciate all the help you have given. Thank you

Yeah I found this way more stressful than the PIP Review Form as well.  I just today heard they've done this UC50 thing paper-based so I won't have an assessment.  What a relief.  I've been in an absolute state. 

Ray212

This is my first ever telephone appointment for this. Before I have had face to face appointments. 

I have emailed them and asked if they can move the appointment forwards as my anxiety is through the roof and just want to get it over with though I doubt they will be able to.

Ray212

Have been told unlikely any sooner appointments which is ok at least I know.

How on earth do you convey things over the phone? For me apart from one thing its all mental health based. Doing tasks, anger, behaviour, finishing things etc. 

So many times I have read people say that the assessor said they didn't sound nervous, anxious, didn't have this or that. 

Getting anxious now

Ray212

More than anxious actually, no idea how you are supposed to convey mental health problems over a phone

poppy123456

I did a telephone assessment for my daughter for the WCA back in 2021 and she doesn't claim for any physical conditions. It took about 20 minutes and she was found to have LCWRA. Most assessments have been through telephone since they started back during the pandemic. 

The ESA stats for the WCA say the majority of people are found to have LCWRA, (68%) even through telephone. I think that's quite high and was very surprised when i seen it. 

Up until Dec 2022 less people have been found fit for work and more people are found to have LCWRA/ placed into Support Group. I can't find the actual stats for UC but the assessment process is identical to ESA. You can see them here. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/esa-outcomes-of-work-capability-assessments-including-mandatory-reconsiderations-and-appeals-december-2022/esa-work-capability-assessments-mandatory-reconsiderations-and-appeals-december-2022

I totally under the anxiety because i usually feel the same for the WCA. If you would prefer face to face then you can contact the health assessment providers and request this.

Ray212

Thanks Poppy and appreciate the links.

I think for me its the mind set they put you in, right from the start you are needing to prove your illness and by prove I mean either actual evidence or written experiences on the form and when you go through the ordeal of doing the form and for many it is an ordeal you are then expected to go through it again in an interview so like now by the time the interview comes around you are already on edge and needing to prove yourself but with mental health its hard to do that down the phone. 

They can't see if you are trembling or shaking or sweating or tapping things, leg moving up and down due to worry etc. 

But then there is the flip side, social anxiety has kept me in my house for so long, the thought of having to go to a test centre makes me feel worse than the telephone call! Can't win. 

As with like the pip assessment the waiting is sometimes worse than the actual interview, can't say I am not on edge, feel so sick to my stomach about it. 

Thanks again

L_Volunteer

That does sound really difficult @Ray212 As you say, they cannot see everything yet you feel like you have to prove yourself and validate yourself so they believe you or is inaccessible in other ways - such as having to go visit them. Would anything help to make this feel more manageable for you at the moment, especially whilst you are waiting? 

Ray212

It feels exactly like that, that you have to prove yourself and doing so down a phone is just well difficult, I don't know how to articulate myself like I would in a face to face interview where they can see everything going on but as I said a face to face has its own problems I would much rather avoid.

Nothing really will make things manageable at the moment unfortunately. I am completely consumed by this appointment and its on my mind every waking hour. Just want it over and done with. 

Ray212

Well that's that done. 

No idea what to make of that though. They never asked me anything about the mental health sections of which most of my form was based on. 

I only had 1 question regarding physical abilities and we spent the whole hour talking about physical things, didn't ask anything about the mental health questions at all.

Just as I thought we were about to talk about mental health she said thanks for answering my questions, the form will be sent to DWP who will contact you regarding the outcome

chucky1

If you don't mind me asking what part of the country are you 
I saw you waited six weeks for your assessment 

Ray212

Hi, I am in the South West Devon. Yes it was about 6 weeks, think I sent it back on the 6th July

poppy123456

Ray212 said:

Well that's that done. 

No idea what to make of that though. They never asked me anything about the mental health sections of which most of my form was based on. 

I only had 1 question regarding physical abilities and we spent the whole hour talking about physical things, didn't ask anything about the mental health questions at all.

Just as I thought we were about to talk about mental health she said thanks for answering my questions, the form will be sent to DWP who will contact you regarding the outcome

Glad it's done now. It's possible that they had enough of information for your mental health. When this happens they will only ask questions on the things they need more information for.

I claim for physical conditions and have problems with hands, arms and legs but for all my WCA they've only ever concentrated on my ability to mobilse.

I hope you're not waiting too long for a decision. Some have them within a week of the report being return. Please do come back and update us if possible once you have the decision.

Ray212

Thank you Poppy.

Yes it was strange, for all the preparation I did, all the paperwork I had printed and had laid out they never asked anything I expected them too.

Never mind, as you say it's done now, will report back on the outcome.

Thank you again for everyone's help in this thread and for all my questions.

StillIRise

Ray212 said:

Thank you Poppy.

Yes it was strange, for all the preparation I did, all the paperwork I had printed and had laid out they never asked anything I expected them too.

Never mind, as you say it's done now, will report back on the outcome.

Thank you again for everyone's help in this thread and for all my questions.

It's probably precisely because you provided loads of evidence that they didn't need to ask you all that many more questions.