I thought UC LCWRA re-assessments were on hold (for people already getting LCWRA)? But...

StillIRise

Kimmy87 said:

I had the message requesting my GP contact details two weeks ago. I responded the next day, and am yet to hear anything further. 

Thanks for sharing Kimmy!  So no UC50, no referral letter for an assessment at all?  This is so interesting.
Are you on LCWRA or LCW?

StillIRise

paries1 said:

StillIRise said:

paries1 said:

StillIRise said:

Ray212 said:

For me I had an upcoming appointment cancelled. No reason given then a week later I had a message to say I am being re referred and a UC35 was attached and then a UC50 in the post 2 days later

I messaged the person who asked for my GP details via my journals.  She has just replied.  She said that no I do not need to send in any medical evidence (that was one of the questions I asked her) and that no I am not being referred for an assessment, they will attempt to gather evidence from my doctor first

So they are doing things differently this time. The wording of the message we got first was correct . 

I'm not sure who the woman messaging me is.  If she is from the department who actually does the assessments etc then presumably she knows what she is talking about?  It doesn't really say anything about which department she is contacting me from. 

They would def know more than a call centre person I’m sure 

Yes.  I actually forgot that I had messaged her back lol as I did not expect to get a reply.

Kimmy87

StillIRise said:

Kimmy87 said:

I had the message requesting my GP contact details two weeks ago. I responded the next day, and am yet to hear anything further. 

Thanks for sharing Kimmy!  So no UC50, no referral letter for an assessment at all?  This is so interesting.
Are you on LCWRA or LCW?

No nothing at all yet apart from that message two weeks ago. 
I am on LCWRA. 

StillIRise

paries1 said:

Kimmy87 said:

I had the message requesting my GP contact details two weeks ago. I responded the next day, and am yet to hear anything further. 

They must be contacting GPs before to ask a few things before referring 

Back in my ESA days I remember them asking to contact my doctor.  My psychiatrist then mentioned that he'd filled in a form they'd sent him.  Next thing I knew DWP wrote to me confirming I was in the Support Group.  I didn't have an assessment and I don't think I even filled out a new ESA50 form.  It's possible they mark it down as the condition being unlikely to change in some cases or something.

poppy123456

Yes ESA113 and UC113. You can see it here and it's the same for UC. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esa113-interactive-for-use-by-healthcare-practitioners

StillIRise

paries1 said:

poppy123456 said:

Yes ESA113 and UC113. You can see it here and it's the same for UC. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esa113-interactive-for-use-by-healthcare-practitioners

It seems in some cases they are contacting Drs before making a referral. I don’t think they’ve ever done this before ? Prob because it’s been such a long time since reassessing that they want to make sure it won’t send us over the edge. 

Haha, they could not care less about sending us over the edge. If this is what they are doing re contacting doctors first it will only be because it's quicker or cheaper for DWP to do this, not because it's easier for us.  I think the fact that Kimmy got the GP message on her journal two weeks ago and STILL has not received a referral or UC50 is very interesting and does suggest they might be taking this approach for some people. 

StillIRise

paries1 said:

StillIRise said:

paries1 said:

poppy123456 said:

Yes ESA113 and UC113. You can see it here and it's the same for UC. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esa113-interactive-for-use-by-healthcare-practitioners

It seems in some cases they are contacting Drs before making a referral. I don’t think they’ve ever done this before ? Prob because it’s been such a long time since reassessing that they want to make sure it won’t send us over the edge. 

Haha, they could not care less about sending us over the edge. If this is what they are doing re contacting doctors first it will only be because it's quicker or cheaper for DWP to do this, not because it's easier for us.  I think the fact that Kimmy got the GP message on her journal two weeks ago and STILL has not received a referral or UC50 is very interesting and does suggest they might be taking this approach for some people. 

Lol that’s a good point , it is DWP after all , I was trying to give them the Benedict of the doubt BUT I think you’re absolutely right ! 

There was definitely a marker on my file that said I was so mentally unstable that they should not even bother to ask me to fill in forms.  I know that sounds very odd but it's true.  I can't remember what the marker is called and I don't know if it is still on there.  Several years ago they sent me a PIP new claim form.  I was in a very bad state mentally and I totally failed to fill in or send back the PIP form at all.  To my surprise about 4 months later they contacted me to arrange a PIP phone assessment despite me never having sent back a form.  It was explained to me that due to this marker on my file they would not shut down my claims even if I ignored all my forms as I was marked as not having the mental capacity. 

One can have this marker on their file without even knowing it until someone at DWP mentions it to you.  It would have originally have been put on my file by ESA.  Maybe it is still on my DWP files. 

StillIRise

paries1 said:

StillIRise said:

paries1 said:

StillIRise said:

paries1 said:

poppy123456 said:

Yes ESA113 and UC113. You can see it here and it's the same for UC. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esa113-interactive-for-use-by-healthcare-practitioners

It seems in some cases they are contacting Drs before making a referral. I don’t think they’ve ever done this before ? Prob because it’s been such a long time since reassessing that they want to make sure it won’t send us over the edge. 

Haha, they could not care less about sending us over the edge. If this is what they are doing re contacting doctors first it will only be because it's quicker or cheaper for DWP to do this, not because it's easier for us.  I think the fact that Kimmy got the GP message on her journal two weeks ago and STILL has not received a referral or UC50 is very interesting and does suggest they might be taking this approach for some people. 

Lol that’s a good point , it is DWP after all , I was trying to give them the Benedict of the doubt BUT I think you’re absolutely right ! 

There was definitely a marker on my file that said I was so mentally unstable that they should not even bother to ask me to fill in forms.  I know that sounds very odd but it's true.  I can't remember what the marker is called and I don't know if it is still on there.  Several years ago they sent me a PIP new claim form.  I was in a very bad state mentally and I totally failed to fill in or send back the PIP form at all.  To my surprise about 4 months later they contacted me to arrange a PIP phone assessment despite me never having sent back a form.  It was explained to me that due to this marker on my file they would not shut down my claims even if I ignored all my forms as I was marked as not having the mental capacity. 

One can have this marker on their file without even knowing it until someone at DWP mentions it to you.  It would have originally have been put on my file by ESA.  Maybe it is still on my DWP files. 

Could be still on there then ? Have you anyway of finding out ? Surely if it was on there they can’t remove it 

I'm not sure.

I feel so tired of living at the mercy of the DWP.  I would love to be well enough to resume a normal working life. 

Ray212

I think many people feel the same, DWP don't understand that though, if its not one thing it's another. 

Cher_Alumni

I'm sorry the process isn't easier for you all. I hope in having found each other to confide in and compare, some of the anxiety is lessened. Please do keep leaning on us throughout.

And @StillIrise that is a heck of a powerful username, the Maya Angelou poem your inspiration? 

StillIRise

paries1 said:

StillIRise said:

paries1 said:

StillIRise said:

paries1 said:

StillIRise said:

paries1 said:

poppy123456 said:

Yes ESA113 and UC113. You can see it here and it's the same for UC. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esa113-interactive-for-use-by-healthcare-practitioners

It seems in some cases they are contacting Drs before making a referral. I don’t think they’ve ever done this before ? Prob because it’s been such a long time since reassessing that they want to make sure it won’t send us over the edge. 

Haha, they could not care less about sending us over the edge. If this is what they are doing re contacting doctors first it will only be because it's quicker or cheaper for DWP to do this, not because it's easier for us.  I think the fact that Kimmy got the GP message on her journal two weeks ago and STILL has not received a referral or UC50 is very interesting and does suggest they might be taking this approach for some people. 

Lol that’s a good point , it is DWP after all , I was trying to give them the Benedict of the doubt BUT I think you’re absolutely right ! 

There was definitely a marker on my file that said I was so mentally unstable that they should not even bother to ask me to fill in forms.  I know that sounds very odd but it's true.  I can't remember what the marker is called and I don't know if it is still on there.  Several years ago they sent me a PIP new claim form.  I was in a very bad state mentally and I totally failed to fill in or send back the PIP form at all.  To my surprise about 4 months later they contacted me to arrange a PIP phone assessment despite me never having sent back a form.  It was explained to me that due to this marker on my file they would not shut down my claims even if I ignored all my forms as I was marked as not having the mental capacity. 

One can have this marker on their file without even knowing it until someone at DWP mentions it to you.  It would have originally have been put on my file by ESA.  Maybe it is still on my DWP files. 

Could be still on there then ? Have you anyway of finding out ? Surely if it was on there they can’t remove it 

I'm not sure.

I feel so tired of living at the mercy of the DWP.  I would love to be well enough to resume a normal working life. 

I know exactly how you feel , I worked for 25 years until I had a breakdown. If they’d just leave me alone a bit longer I’ll get a part time job and get them off my back . 

Sorry to hear you had a breakdown.  I had a good career once but my mental health conditions escalated to the point where I was no longer functioning eventually.

Fingers crossed this latest UC stuff will work out just fine for us all. 

StillIRise

paries1 said:

StillIRise said:

paries1 said:

StillIRise said:

paries1 said:

StillIRise said:

paries1 said:

StillIRise said:

paries1 said:

poppy123456 said:

Yes ESA113 and UC113. You can see it here and it's the same for UC. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esa113-interactive-for-use-by-healthcare-practitioners

It seems in some cases they are contacting Drs before making a referral. I don’t think they’ve ever done this before ? Prob because it’s been such a long time since reassessing that they want to make sure it won’t send us over the edge. 

Haha, they could not care less about sending us over the edge. If this is what they are doing re contacting doctors first it will only be because it's quicker or cheaper for DWP to do this, not because it's easier for us.  I think the fact that Kimmy got the GP message on her journal two weeks ago and STILL has not received a referral or UC50 is very interesting and does suggest they might be taking this approach for some people. 

Lol that’s a good point , it is DWP after all , I was trying to give them the Benedict of the doubt BUT I think you’re absolutely right ! 

There was definitely a marker on my file that said I was so mentally unstable that they should not even bother to ask me to fill in forms.  I know that sounds very odd but it's true.  I can't remember what the marker is called and I don't know if it is still on there.  Several years ago they sent me a PIP new claim form.  I was in a very bad state mentally and I totally failed to fill in or send back the PIP form at all.  To my surprise about 4 months later they contacted me to arrange a PIP phone assessment despite me never having sent back a form.  It was explained to me that due to this marker on my file they would not shut down my claims even if I ignored all my forms as I was marked as not having the mental capacity. 

One can have this marker on their file without even knowing it until someone at DWP mentions it to you.  It would have originally have been put on my file by ESA.  Maybe it is still on my DWP files. 

Could be still on there then ? Have you anyway of finding out ? Surely if it was on there they can’t remove it 

I'm not sure.

I feel so tired of living at the mercy of the DWP.  I would love to be well enough to resume a normal working life. 

I know exactly how you feel , I worked for 25 years until I had a breakdown. If they’d just leave me alone a bit longer I’ll get a part time job and get them off my back . 

Sorry to hear you had a breakdown.  I had a good career once but my mental health conditions escalated to the point where I was no longer functioning eventually.

Fingers crossed this latest UC stuff will work out just fine for us all. 

Thx Stilllrise,

it’s all really stressful isn’t it? 

Let’s see what happens over the next few weeks and keep all of us updated on here. 

This is a great forum and so glad I found it . 

I hope after they contact your Consultant they’ll leave you alone  

I hope your process goes smoothly too. 

StillIRise

Cher_Scope said:

I'm sorry the process isn't easier for you all. I hope in having found each other to confide in and compare, some of the anxiety is lessened. Please do keep leaning on us throughout.

And @StillIrise that is a heck of a powerful username, the Maya Angelou poem your inspiration? 

Hi Cher.  Yes it's from the Maya Angelou poem.  

It's good finding each other here.  

JBS2022

My cousin received a journal entry about contacting his GP a week ago, and today was told he was staying LCWRA, he hasn't even seen his GP in 3 years so the info off the GP would be out of date, they asked if he was still taking antipsychotics and that was that. The DWP are trying to review as many people without needing a phone or face to face assessment as possible. 

StillIRise

JBS2022 said:

My cousin received a journal entry about contacting his GP a week ago, and today was told he was staying LCWRA, he hasn't even seen his GP in 3 years so the info off the GP would be out of date, they asked if he was still taking antipsychotics and that was that. The DWP are trying to review as many people without needing a phone or face to face assessment as possible. 

Wow!  That is actually very encouraging to hear.

So when you say they asked if he is still taking antipsychotics -- did they ask your cousin himself or that's what they asked the doctor?  Did they send the doctor the UC113 form to fill in?

I'm really praying this is what they are doing with me, just confirming that my health condition remains the same. 

poppy123456

JBS2022 said:

My cousin received a journal entry about contacting his GP a week ago, and today was told he was staying LCWRA, he hasn't even seen his GP in 3 years so the info off the GP would be out of date, they asked if he was still taking antipsychotics and that was that. The DWP are trying to review as many people without needing a phone or face to face assessment as possible. 

Thanks for coming on to post this. I know a lot of members will welcome this news.

Kimmy87

That is very encouraging. 
I am on LCWRA due to mobility issues, I don't see my GP often and then only for short term things really (only two appointments this year were a check up after car accident and a change in contraceptives), but they did do a fab letter for me two years ago, in support of my council housing application, which refers to pain and poor mobility as well as listing various health conditions (the same ones I declared when applying for UC).

StillIRise

Kimmy87 said:

That is very encouraging. 
I am on LCWRA due to mobility issues, I don't see my GP often and then only for short term things really (only two appointments this year were a check up after car accident and a change in contraceptives), but they did do a fab letter for me two years ago, in support of my council housing application, which refers to pain and poor mobility as well as listing various health conditions (the same ones I declared when applying for UC).

Yeah I was so happy to see this post this mornng!

Kimmy87

paries1 said:

I’m wondering if this is why they asked for my GPs contact telephone number too, maybe to call them and ask rather than sending the UC113 form to fill in . It’s been almost 1 week since they left the journal message for so I’ll probably hear something next week. My pessimism still thinks I’ll be getting the UC50 form but let’s see . 

It probably all depends on how quickly the GPs respond to DWP. 
I got my message over 2 weeks ago, heard nothing further yet. 

JonnycJonny

What I have learned reading the comments on this forum is that there appears to be a strong tendancy for those with mental health conditions to have the most concern regarding the start up of reassessments. Whether this is down to there being an unfair and deliberate targeting of those in this group by the DWP - a disproportionate number having their reassessments done first - I cannot say. With hindsight I can see that the activities in the ESA/UC50 and PIP1 forms barely touch the issues faced by people in the mental health group as opposed to those with a physical impairment.

Additionally, it seems the DWP are still playing catch up following the pandemic when many cases went through without proper scrutiny or due dilegence. Is it these cases that are being relooked at first ? Or is it just a random algorithm ?

Whatever the situation, very best wishes to those going through the reassessment anguish.