Work capability assessment, Im confused

rj7

Hi all, I've recently been referred for a work capability assessment. I suffer with extreme depression and anxiety and probably other undiagnosed conditions. I've been getting fit notes from my GP for the last 5 weeks and now I've been referred for a work capability assessment. I'm really scared about this because iv ejust been through the PIP process and it was just awful, the stress and anxiety it brought on were so intense.

The info I can find online is very vague, so I'm hoping someone can explain the process to me from here? I understand I need to keep submitting fit notes until I'm assessed, but what does what does actually mean? Until your assessment date, until the decision? It also mentions that if you're awarded LCWRA, the payments start after 3 months. When does this 3 months start and end?

If anyone would be willing to help with q step by step process of how it works, or a personal experience, i would be extremely grateful. Thnak you.

chiarieds

Hi @rj7 - you'll need to provide continuous fit notes until you get the decision on your WCA. If awarded LCWRA, & presuming you don't live with a partner that already claims this, then this LCWRA element is an extra amount of money paid on top of your standard allowance, i.e. £390.06 each month.

If awarded this LCWRA element, then there's the 3 full month waiting period that you mention. This is counted from when you first declared your health condition/provided a fit note. However, as UC is paid in arrears, then altho this would be due from the next month (depending when your assessment periods are), it wouldn't be paid until the following month (on the date you normally receive your UC payment).

Do come back if awarded LCWRA, & with a little further info there'll be a member who can check when you should be paid, as UC don't always get it right!

First you have to get through the WCA....if not found fit for work, you might be placed into the LCW group (no extra amount is payable for this). You can see the descriptors here, & you need to get 15 points or more for this: https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/limited-capability-for-work

LCWRA is simpler, you just need to satisfy one of the following descriptors: https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/limited-capability-for-work-related-activity

Hope some of this helps.

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @rj7

Welcome to the community! I see Chiarieds has given some great advice and links. I hope the community can be a place of support for you whilst you go through the assessment. Why not join us in the Coffee Lounge for social chats and games? Helps when the wait gets a little too much. 

rj7

@Emilyrose988 I was awarded LCWRA on Thursday 25th Jan.

rj7

My assessment was 12th Jan so it was a quick decision once assessment was complete

rj7

@Emilyrose988 I was the same.  I put plenty of details on my form, but when the assessment was coming I knew I wouldnt be able to answer as well as I did on the form because of my anxiety.

But the assessors are very understanding and will give you time to answer questions to the best of your ability. Also, if you're struggling to answer a question properly, they can refer to things you wrote in your form to help them understand your answers. They are also aware that might forget to mention something, or that you might leave certain details out that you dint want to talk about. Again, they can use your answers you gave the form to help understand your condition better.

The questions are pretty much the same as the form, except they went into more detail and are more specific to the activities that apply to you.

Try not to worry about it, the assessors are trained medical professionals, and  from my experience, they're generally very patient, caring and understanding with you and arent trying to "catch you out" as I previously believed. 

Good luck, I hope you get the award you deserve.

Rosie_Scope

Best of luck for your call @Emilyrose988. I hope it goes okay for you and you can relax a little afterwards Keep us updated if you feel up to it!

Albus_Scope

Ah that's great @Emilyrose988, I'm so glad it was over quickly and not a terrible experience. I think a lot of the problem with assessments is people only really talk about their bad experiences and not the good ones.