Safety points when completing the WCA form

IndignantPigeon

Hi everyone,

Thought I'd just post this here in case some of you missed these points when I made my intro hello post. The way the assessment is set up, it's easy to be caught out when sending the form back.

Here are my Golden Rules to keep you safe:

1. Always send the form back signed on delivery, so you get a signature from the receiving office. What they don't tell us is when your form arrives, it's passed around different private companies, sometimes gets lost, sometimes recorded as not arrived in time, so that you could have your disability benefit withdrawn simply because they claim this has happened. They can't do this if you get it signed on delivery, make sure you take a screenshot of the signature given when it arrives at it's destination.
2. Use the SAE that comes with the form, don't worry if the address is different to the address given of the assessment center at the top of the accompanying letter. If needs be, pay to have it sent first class, so you'll be sure it'll arrive in time. Don't forget there's no post on bank holidays etc.
3. The date you need to send it back by is stated in the accompanying letter, and should be exactly one month after the date given at the top of the letter. If anyone like an assessment center tells you you need to send it back before the month date, they are wrong. The DWP states on the gov website, and in answer to a Parliamentary question about 6 months ago, and also citizens advice bureau all say you have the legal right to return it within a month of the date given at the top of the letter. And that is to the address on the SAE, not another assessment center that the address on the SAE might post it on to.
4. If the WCA form is delayed getting to you, so you no longer have a month to complete it, you "might" have grounds to ask for an extension to the date of submission. But before assuming this, check with DWP first, and make sure they put it in writing, eg as a journal message or an email, so you have proof of the new date before you assume you can do this.

Good luck everyone, filling out the WCA is tough enough anyway, without the extra hassle. If you follow my rules you will at least know they can't dock you money by claiming it arrived back late.

Jimm_Scope

Hi @IndignantPigeon, thank you for writing this up! It can be difficult writing it all up. I suppose my own tip is to type it all up if able and print it off. As long as you make sure that it is clear what you are answering and where. I have found it much easier than writing it all in by hand.

If you are struggling to hand the form in, even if it isn't just that it was delayed getting to you, I would say you can still ring up and request an extension.

Again, thank you for the write up @IndignantPigeon, I'm sure many will find this helpful 😊

IndignantPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/940649#Comment_940649

Yes good tips Jimm : ) I always type it up, you can put much more detail in if you do, the boxes are no-where near big enough for hand-writing, I suspect intentionally so but maybe I'm being too cynical? You can download a copy and type into the downloaded form directly, if you have a pdf reader. I have foxit pdf reader, which you can use it for free, here's a link:

https://www.foxit.com/pdf-reader/

Yep always a good idea to check if you can get an extension, although best not bank on it, they are only supposed to allow it if you have "a good reason". These forms are such a pain to complete, especially if you have multiple conditions to talk about and you have ongoing hospital treatment etc at the same time. I always start within a day or so of getting the form, just to make sure I'll get it finished in time.

Also best to approach the form as a series of arguments, why your health condition/s would qualify you for disability. If you find it difficult to put down your reasons like this, it can really help to ask a trusted friend or support worker, citizens advice etc.

And don't forget to re-read it all one last time after you have finished, preferably the day after when you've had a sleep. I always find bits I've missed out this way, that I should include before sending it off.

IndignantPigeon

Yes best to type your answers in Summerlove (what a name!). You can also simply write in the box "Please refer to attached sheet blah blah" where blah blah is the question number + heading. I do that sometimes, as the boxes are ridiculously small. Just write that sentence in the box and then type everything out on a separate sheet (or 2, or 3…), headed with the question. That way you can say as much as you need…