UC50 Decision Letter waiting period

Irshad

Hi there,

I applied for universal credit in May 2023 and I reported my medical condition at the same time. When I went to the job centre to identify myself along with the fit note from the GP on the 14th June, the person said due to my disability he requested a UC50 form to be sent to my address and received it on the 18th June and send it off by the 22th June. 

The health assessment advisory service said they received it in the 27th June however they are unable to tell me when it will be reviewed and said it might be a long wait period for a decision to be made.

(I also get enhanced rate pip for mobility and daily living) 

I had an phone call appointment with universal credit today and they said the uc50 form along with all of my evidence should be received and decision should be within 3 month.

How is everyone else’s is experience with this process and how long did it take for you to get a decision?

bg844

There are a few backlogs at present with some members waiting substantially longer than 3 months as advised to you by the Job Centre. Unfortunately, whilst you are waiting for an assessment then appointments with UC continue.

Good Luck and if you have any further questions, please ask.

Irshad

bg844 said:

There are a few backlogs at present with some members waiting substantially longer than 3 months as advised to you by the Job Centre. Unfortunately, whilst you are waiting for an assessment then appointments with UC continue.

Good Luck and if you have any further questions, please ask.

Thank you for the information.

Just a quick update.

I have not heard back from the health assessment advisory service or Universal Credit.

The health assessment advisory service did say that they don't know when the UC50 form/evidence will be reviewed but “it is currently being processed”.

From anyone's experience how long did you will tell hear back?

raspberrysorbet66

My husband has just had a LCWRA review and all in all from start to finish it took 9 weeks. He got re awarded. 

Sev68

Did he not have to go to a assessment? 

Crazyone

My UC50 was received by them exactly 10 weeks ago, not heard a dicky bird.

Irshad

Hi,

I just wanted to share another update receiving this morning.

I have received a letter with an appointment for a telephone assessment with a healthcare professional in 2 weeks from today. 

Would anyone be able to tell me what their experience was like with the telephone assessment and what to expect such as what question might be asked?

Thank you 

Irshad

Morning,

I have my work capability assessment today between 9am-noon from what it says on the letter.

Still waiting for the telephone call. I hope that they call as this has been an anxious morning/period.

Text received on Monday:

Remember your Work Capability Assessment is taking place by phone on 04/10/2023. Please be available between 9:00 AM and Noon for this call. Failure to attend may affect your benefit. Please check your appointment letter for full details of your assessment.

Irshad

Just a quick update,

It is past the appointment time slot (9 am-noon) and still have not received any phone call. This is frustrating and caused an anxious morning just to be left with no one calling. They sent out text message reminding of the appointment and they don’t even honour it. 😭

What should be the next step?

Irshad

So frustrating and disappointed. 

I called the centre for health and disability assessment and they said they had difficult and complex cases and the health care professional is unable to do the telephone appointment and will have to reschedule the appointment to another date.

They will send another letter via the post and is unable to tell me when the appointment will be.

AtlasShoulders

@Irshad That's really disappointing, but sadly it's an all too common occurrence. You did the right thing by calling them to clarify what had happened. The same thing happened to me and I was a complete wreck, assuming something had gone wrong. 

Try your best not to worry too much and just try to reset. You might want to write a quick UC journal message explaining what has happened and what you've done, just so there is a formal record.

When you finally speak to the assessor, be sure to highlight how much distress this last minute change has caused you and how it has affected your day. That may help to inform the "Coping with change" descriptor.

Irshad

AtlasShoulders said:

@Irshad That's really disappointing, but sadly it's an all too common occurrence. You did the right thing by calling them to clarify what had happened. The same thing happened to me and I was a complete wreck, assuming something had gone wrong. 

Try your best not to worry too much and just try to reset. You might want to write a quick UC journal message explaining what has happened and what you've done, just so there is a formal record.

When you finally speak to the assessor, be sure to highlight how much distress this last minute change has caused you and how it has affected your day. That may help to inform the "Coping with change" descriptor.

Thank you. I have put a journal message informing what has happened. If you know how long did it take in your case to get the rescheduled appointment?

poppy123456

How long it will take for them to send another appointment will depend on the waiting times in your area. All areas are different.

Irshad

poppy123456 said:

How long it will take for them to send another appointment will depend on the waiting times in your area. All areas are different.

Thank you. I hope it is not long but I fear the worst as it took I believe 3 month just to get this letter for the appointment today. This definitely affected the whole day and caused anxiety and unwanted stress.

I know they said sorry but it's still disappointing as you can’t even complain or do anything about it.

Thank you for all your help and I guess it's just the waiting game again which is frustrating as I thought this would be over and done with.

AtlasShoulders

@Irshad In my case, they got some extra evidence so they did a paper-based assessment without telling me which meant I never had the assessment in the end. 

The main thing is that you did all the right things. The CHDA is the one who has messed up so now they are on the back foot. UC shouldn't hold you accountable for the delay.

Hannah_Alumni

I'm sorry it didn't go ahead as planned today @irshad

I hope it is rescheduled to be soon! 

Irshad

Hannah_Scope said:

I'm sorry it didn't go ahead as planned today @irshad

I hope it is rescheduled to be soon! 

Hi Hannah, I attended my appointment, which was 23/24 of October with my family member, and everything went well. I was told that the decision-maker would decide based on all evidence. From what the person said they are going to recommend the "Highest Amount" but it is up to the decision-maker. I'm not sure how long it takes to get the decision.

Just on another topic about the cost of living payment. I receive £292 each month from UC currently.
I did receive it during the qualifying period however would that qualify me for the £300 cost of living payment.

poppy123456

It is not the assessors job to give any information to you and they shouldn’t have indicated anything. Only a decision maker can make the decision. This can take up to 12 weeks after the report was returned.

For the cost of living payment. If you were entitled to a payment of UC for an assessment period that ended between 18th August and 17th September then you will be entitled to the £300.

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @Irshad

I'm glad to hear you've finally had your appointment and that it went well! I see Poppy has been able to answer your query Keeping my fingers crossed for you with the outcome! 

Irshad

poppy123456 said:

It is not the assessors job to give any information to you and they shouldn’t have indicated anything. Only a decision maker can make the decision. This can take up to 12 weeks after the report was returned.

For the cost of living payment. If you were entitled to a payment of UC for an assessment period that ended between 18th August and 17th September then you will be entitled to the £300.

Hannah_Scope said:

Hello @Irshad

I'm glad to hear you've finally had your appointment and that it went well! I see Poppy has been able to answer your query Keeping my fingers crossed for you with the outcome! 

Thank you Poppy and Hannah.

So my October statement said:
Assessment period: 27 August to 26 September 2023 - I got paid £292.

My September statement said:
Assessment period: 27 July to 26 August 2023 - I got paid £292.

I do think I would qualify for the cost of living but I’m not 100% sure.

If I do get LWCRA depending on the decision given, would there be any back pay required?

I reported my health change on Wednesday 31 May 2023 and Thursday 1 June 2023 - (Also provided fit note on the 1st June) and have done so until now. 

(GP has given 1 year fit note due to my condition in October as the old one was about to expire which was approved by the agent)

thanks in advance 

poppy123456

You will qualify for the CoL payment because the assessment period 27th July to 26th August you were entitled to a payment of UC. This is because this was the assessment period that ended between 18th Aug and 16th Sept.

If found to have LCWRA your waiting period will be May/June, June/July, July/August... LCWRA starts from AP 27th August to 26th Sept and first payment will be 2nd October. This means up to now they will owe you 2 months LCWRA element.

If the decision is LCW then you will not be paid any extra each month.