WCA Medical Report Form

SJM2023

I have recently been awarded LCWRA and i requested a copy of my assessment medical report form, mainly to see what points i scored in specific descriptors and/or if i qualified under substantial risk.

For whatever reason that's what i thought the form would give specific details about, but it doesn't.

Firstly, the assessor was very comprehensive in what she wrote and after a couple of reading I can't see anything i disagree with, which is good.

In my UC50 form i completed descriptors in both the physical and mental health section. I wasn't expecting to qualify for LCW/LCWRA with my physical condition of chronic lower back pain, my main focus was my multiple mental health issues. There were 3 main descriptors i completed und mental health and obviously i was hoping to score 15 points in all 3, although certainly not expecting too.

On reading the medical report form there is no reference whatsoever to how many points i scored (if any) with these 3 descriptors, or any mention of substantial risk.

However, the assessor has mentioned under "LCW and LCWRA information"

"it is unlikely he will initiate or complete 2 personal actions reliably or repeatedly due to his rituals and routine and panic attacks this causes therefore severe severe disability is likely in personal action"

This obviously relates specifically to one of the descriptors i was hoping to get 15 points in.

My questions are:

1: is there anything else i can request to see a more detailed summary of how i scored accross all the descriptors i completed or is this form all that's available?

2: If the assessor/decision maker scores 15 points in one of the descriptors like the one I've outlined, and so qualifies you for LCWRA, do they just not bother scoring any of the other qualifying descriptors that i completed? I just feel i should know exactly how i fared with all of them.

3: is the "substantial risk" part of being awarded LCWRA not even taken into consideration if you are awarded 15 points in any one of the qualifying descriptors?

This is my second WCA, and on the first medical report form it clearly stated i didn't meet the criteria for substantial risk. There was no reference to substantial risk in my second medical report form.

Please help me understand the process of how they mark the UC50 forms and how that relates to the information given in the medical report form.

poppy123456

There’s some misunderstanding on your part here and you’re not fully understanding what the criteria is for LCWRA.

You only need to meet at least one of the descriptors. It’s not about scoring points. What they do is look first to see if any of the descriptors apply to. If they think it may then they will focus on that. In your case it was descriptor 11.

If non of the descriptors apply then they look at substantial risk, as correctly advised by AKR above.
you can see the descriptors here https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/limited-capability-for-work-related-activity

SJM2023

Thanks for both of you replies!

That clears up the substantial risk part, thanks. It is how i assumed it would be really and only taken into consideration if you didn't qualify under the descriptors.

When you say "You only need to meet at least one of the descriptors" (which i did as you rightly state) does this mean the fact that the other 2 descriptors i completed and was hoping to qualify under, weren't mentioned in the medical report form mean i didn't qualify with them, or are they just not mentioned by the assessor because she feels i quality under decriptor 11 anyway? Are they then not taken into consideration?

I just feel knowing how i fared with all the descriptors would be beneficial with any future WCA or any advice i can give to a friend who is likely to be doing a WCA soon, and with similar medical conditions as my own.

poppy123456

It doesn’t mean you don’t meet any other descriptor. They only look at the most likely one. No need to look at others if it’s clear that one will apply. Same for Tribunals.

SJM2023

Ok thanks, i understand how the process works now, much appreciated.

poppy123456

You’re welcome.