Universal credit

hallac

hi,

my mum recently gave in long term sick notes to universal credit due to depression and other medical conditions stating she can’t work and is waiting for assessment for LCWRA. However, they still keep hounding her with phone calls asking her to go on courses and to find work. Surely this is breaking the law? Surely they can’t ask someone with mental health issues and has sick notes to find work and go on courses?

Can anyone help with some advice if possible.

Thanks.

Albus_Scope

Hi @hallac unfortunately  a person is classed as a job seeker until a decision's been made on their work capability assessment. But it's up to the work coach as to whether they're asked to continue looking for work. Is it worth leaving a note to your mums work coach on their UC journal to explain things?

They should do a WCA within 28 days of your mum declaring her medical condition.

hallac

Hi @Albus_Scope thanks for the quick response.

I believe she sent the wca forms off last week so should she have an assessment soon?

Albus_Scope

I can't say for certain @hallac but if the wait times aren't too long then yes in theory, but it can take up to 12 weeks for them to make a decision after that. So I'd suggest trying to speak to your mums work coach to see if they can't be a bit more lenient with her in the meantime. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

poppy123456

If it's phone calls for the appointments then it already sounds like they've put reasonable adjustments in place while she waits for the WCA decision, which is good. Unfortunately, when claiming UC a fit note isn't evidence that you have LCW.