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New claim, sick note or UC50?

coopernffc

I've just submitted a new claim today, my self employment finally fell to pieces due to disability. I currently get pip. The claim process didn't give me opportunity to ask for a UC50 or submit any details of why I can't work, I did tick I have conditions that will effect my ability to work though.
However, it's very confusing on there and online, it's says you need a sick note but then equally other sites say you'll need to fill in a UC50 but there was no option for such and some sites say you get one after 3months, it makes no sense. My GP is useless although I have supporting letters from neurologist and a previous pip assessment that would be suited to a UC50 rather than asking for a sick note. So you submit sick notes for 3 months before you get a UC50? I don't get it, and how do you get a UC50? Who do you ask?

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poppy123456

coopernffc said:

So you submit sick notes for 3 months before you get a UC50? I don't get it, and how do you get a UC50? Who do you ask?

No, that's not correct. First you need to "report a change of circumstances" then click "health conditons" and report your health condition, if you didn't do that when you first claimed UC. Then you have 7 days to provide a fit note, which must be provided. You must continue to send the fit notes without any gaps until a decision is made on your work capability assessment. Failure to continue to provide fit notes can affect when the extra money is paid from if found to have LCWRA.

Usually around day 29 (can sometimes be later) you will be referred for a work capability assessment. Once this is done you will receive a letter on your journal telling you they have referred you. A few days later you will receive the UC50 form in the post. You will need to fill that in and return it alone with any extra supporting evidence you have.

Once they receive this you will likely need a work capability assessment. Similar to the PIP assessment but different crtieria. Once the assessment is completed a report will be written and returned to DWP. From there a decision maker will look at everything you sent, as well as the report and make a decision.

Once it's made it will either be LCW, LCWRA or fit for work. If LCWRA then you will be entitled to extra money from the 4th month after you reported your health condition/provided your first fit note.

More details here. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-quick-guide/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition

You can see the descriptors for both here, if you haven't already seen them.

LCW https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/limited-capability-for-work

LCWRA https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/limited-capability-for-work-related-activity

You can also see the UC50 form here. Please note (this is important) please do not return this form until you've been referred and recieved the form in the post. If you return it before being referred then it will be ignored. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6554a35f371898000dd29710/uc50-interactive.pdf

Hope this helps.

coopernffc

Thanks very much, so basically wait 29 days get a UC50. Why do you lose 4 months money? Why don't they backdate it to the day you reported yourself unfit for work?

poppy123456

It's not always on day 29, sometimes it can be later. If it's much later than that you can put a message on your journal to ask them to refer you.

If found to have LCWRA it's from the date you reported your health condition/provided your first fit note. You must then wait 3 full assessment periods, known as the waiting period. It's then paid from the 4th month, with first payment being the end of that 4th month. It's not paid at all during the waiting period. It's the law and the rules have always been this way. It was the same for ESA.

coopernffc

I've added a fit note (even though you can't upload it you can just give dates) and it's for a month and even though I'm housebound I've also got no option to tell them this and so I've just received a message telling me I've got an appointment at jobcentre plus in two weeks!

poppy123456

You can ask for a reasonable adjustment for the appointment to be by telephone. Leave a message onto your journal and tell them you're unable to attend the appointment in person.

The appointment you received is the usual standard appointment for new claims. You will be treated as a job seeker until a decision on your work capability assessment says otherwise. It's a work coaches discretion to either turn off or reduce commiments, some do and others don't.