LCW Assessment

Groovychick

Hi, Im new to here and need to know why UC have asked me to attend an assessment and will need to provide an up to date fit note?

poppy123456

Most people have assessments for the work capability assessment. No, you will not need to take a fit note with you because this isn’t evidence that you have limited capability for work.

During the assessment they will ask you questions about your health condition and will want details of a typical day for you. Try not answer any questions with just a yea or no and try to give as much detail as possible. You can take someone with you for support if you want to. 

There’s some information here regarding the work capability assessment. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/esa-medical-assessment/ It says ESA but if you’re claiming UC the process is the same. 

Albus_Scope

Hey there @Groovychick and welcome to the community! 

I can see you're already being helped by Poppy, but I just wanted to say howdy.

Groovychick

Hi Poppy, Thanks for your reply.  Need to  explain more I already claim LCW and have an assessment with UC think its for a yearly thing? not sure?

poppy123456

Do you mean you have a work focused interview? If so then no, you don't need any fit note. The title of your thread mentions an assessment. Assessment refers to a work capability assessment.

Groovychick

How long is LCW awarded for and do I have to attend the interview in a job centre as I have anxiety?

poppy123456

It has no end date because it’s an ongoing award until a new decision says otherwise. 

You can ask for a telephone appointment as a reasonable adjustment. 

Groovychick

What if a telephone appointment is not accepted and how much notice should be given?

poppy123456

If you’re unable to attend in person because of your health conditions then a reasonable adjustment should be put j to place. You should ask for this as soon as you know about the appointment. 

Groovychick

Ideally I would like to change to LCWRA would this happen?

poppy123456

Not automatically no. For this you need to report a change of circumstances. Then click health condition and report a change through there. You will need to provide a fit note and continue to provide them without any gaps until a decision is made on another work capability assessment.

You will be referred for another assessment and be sent the UC50 form to fill in and return. 

Before doing anything else you should look at the descriptors to see if you think any apply to you. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/limited-capability-for-work-related-activity

Groovychick

They tell me I dont need to provide fit notes because Im on LCW.  This is so confusing!

poppy123456

That's correct you don't at the moment. However, if you report a change in your health condition then you will need to provide fit notes.

Groovychick

Thought I would let you know the interview at the job centre yesterday was horrible, I was a emotional mess and very anxious.  Feel that they don't take my mental health seriously and have submitted a fit note today what happens next?

poppy123456

Have you actually “reported a change of circumstances “ then “click” health conditions and report it this way? Just providing a fit note very often isn’t enough. 

If you have then you will need to wait for them to refer you for another work capability assessment. You will then be sent another UC50 form to fill in and return as part of the assessment process. 

Groovychick

Hi Poppy,
Have received another UC50 form for a new health condition, finding it hard to complete, can I refer back to my LCW answers and copy them? also can I include the descriptors that apply to me on the form?

poppy123456

I wouldn’t advise you to copy the answers from your last form because you were only found to have LCW. Copying the answers may mean the same decision is made again. 

There’s a guide here on how to fill it out. It says ESA50 but the UC50 is identical. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/fill-in-form-esa/

Yes, you should also look at the descriptors to see which one you think applies and concentrate on that. Only one needs to apply. 

Groovychick

The form Part 2: Mental cognitive and intellectual capabilities apply to me.  I'm hoping for the award of LCWRA instead of LCW its hard for me to put my MH into words and which number category this applies to

Groovychick

Im struggling with the questions starting and finishing tasks, coping with changes, coping with social situations and going out hope anyone can help with this

poppy123456

You need to explain what happens when you attempt those acitivities. I can't tell you what to write because i don't know how your conditions affect you. I posted a link to a guide from the Citizens Advice website, have you taken a look at his?

Groovychick

Yes I have thank you.  My grammer is not that good to put into words