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Please share your recent experience with health assessment conducted by INGEUS

DJ17

Hi Guys, please share your recent experience with health assessment conducted by INGEUS. Apologies if this topic was already covered, I find difficult to navigate all the previous posts.

Background
This will be my first health assessment, I received a latter saying it will be conducted via phone. I have successfully migrated from JSA to Universal credit at the beginning of October 2024. Before I migrated I had a doctor's fit note, the fit note automatically triggered the UC 50. I submitted the form with evidence on 5th November 2024. I just received a letter saying my assessment is on the 5th December. Which is next week. I was surprised how quickly the whole process happened.

Questions that I would appreciate some answers to.

Can I record the phone assessment on tape recorder without telling them?
How long does the assessment take? Why is it over the phone?
Can I ask the health assessor what is their profession? Or should they tell me? I have a rare lung condition so this would help me to figure out if they have any understanding on my condition.
My fit note will expire after the assessment on 24th of December? In case I have to challenge DWP decisions do I need fit notes till the independent court decision?
My health assessment is 2 days after my hospital appointment and CT scan. This means I won't be able to submit most recent updates on my condition. Is it better to postpone the assessment or tell them I will submit evidence later?
Can the assessor ask me if I can work part time or work from home? I have a serious lung condition which is very unpredictable. It varies from month to month. I would like to go back to work but I don't know if I will be able to keep up with work and taking care of myself. My biggest worry is that my condition can get much worse if I am under stress and tired.

Please share your general thoughts on the health assessment conducted by INGEUS.

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Comments

poppy123456

I believe the assessment providers only changed in September so there may not be many people that have had experience with this company. The assessment rules haven't changed however and remain the same as they were previously. Here's some answers to your questions.

1/ You can record the assessment without telling them by using any device you have but this should only be used for your purpose.

2/ 20 to 120 minutes sometimes longer. Most assessments are by telephone and have been this way since the pandemic. If you prefer face to face you can ring to change it.

3/ Yes you can ask them but the assessor doesn't need to have any specific knowledge in any conditions because it's not about a diagnosis.

4/ Regardless of what the decision is, no fit notes will be needed once the decision is made.

5/ You can cancel the assessment but you can only do this once. It may also take quite a few weeks to receive any written letters from upcoming hospital appointments and your next assessment could still be before you receive that evidence. Providing the evidence you have is related to your current conditions and you've told them about it, if the worst happens and you have to challenge the decision you can include any additional evidence you have.

6/ I've had many of these assessments myself and have never be asked if I can work from home.

DJ17

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/946835#Comment_946835

Thank you Poppy. All info is much appreciated. I will not ask any questions that are not relevant like the profession of the assessor or if I can record. I don't want to make the situation unnecessarily unpleasant. You probably correct about the letter and being relevant. It's probably best to go ahead with the assessment as scheduled. I will share my experience about the new provider. Do you have any relevant links please on how to prepare for the assessment and how to answer questions. I normally talk too much and was wondering if the best policy is to state short answers. Do I need to asked for a full report or anything else straight after the assessment? Do most people have to appeal the decision like with PIP? Thank you.

poppy123456

No problem. There’s some information here https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/welfare-benefits/universal-credit-mental-health-guide/help-with-your-universal-credit-claim/how-to-prepare-for-your-universal-credit-work-capability-assessment/

Try not to answer any questions with a simple yes or no and try to go into as much detail as possible.

Some people find it helpful to write some notes before the assessment. I personally never done this because I wouldn’t be able to refer to them and think of answers to the questions all at the same time.

During my assessments they’ve wanted to know what a typical day is like for me.

I can’t tell you exactly how to answer the questions because I don’t know how your conditions affect you.

Have you had a look at the descriptors to see which one you think applies? If not you can see them here. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/limited-capability-for-work-related-activity

DJ17

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/946898#Comment_946898

Thank you for your previous advice Poppy. I had my phone assessment last Monday. The person (female) knew how to conduct the interview. She probably has been doing it for years. She informed me at the end that I can request a full report from DWP. I was so exhausted that I can't remember if she said I can request the report straight away or when the decision is made by DWP. She also said she can't tell how long it will take for DWP to make a decision.

Thanks to you advice I have submitted my fit note today so I don't have any gaps.

I have read some of your comments on other chats about Transitional Protection. That this should be written in your statement part. I can't see anything on mine. Is it possible that because I moved from JSA and during migration period I had fit note that I lost the protection? Please advise. Thank you

Kimi87

You can request a copy of the report from the DWP once they themselves have received it.

poppy123456

You would have only been entitled to Transitional Protection if your UC entitlement was less than your previous benefits. If it's the same or more there's no entitlement. Not everyone will be entitled to TP.

DJ17

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/953124#Comment_953124

Thanks. How will I know that DWP has the report? Are they going to publish that in my journal? Ty

Kimi87

No they won't publish it. Normally after a WCA the next thing the claimant gets is the outcome letter.

That doesn't mean you can't request a copy of the report.

Put the request on your Journal via "Service Issues".

If they haven't yet received it, they should reply to that effect.

DJ17

Thanks. Wow. I didn't know this. They never told me before I moved. I do get the same amount of money. Is this going to effect me in any way in the future if I were to do any part time work or do part time studies ( were I would have to get a student finance loan). I am just looking for different options. Ty

poppy123456

As you're receiving the same amount then it's correct your UC doesn't include TP. Yes, you can still work if found to have either LCW or LCWRA and there's no maximum amount of hours you can work.

If you don't currently have children on your claim then you won't yet be entitled to the work allowance. If found to have either LCW or LCWRA then you'll be entitled to this. It means some of the earnings you receive each month will be ignored before deductions apply.

If you claim for help with the rent it will be £404/month, if you don't it will be £673/month. For every £1 of earnings received over those amounts your UC reduces by 55p.

Part time students can continue with their UC claim if they have LCWRA. If you have LCW then it will depend on your claimant commitments. Any student maintenance loan will affect your UC. Loans for student fees will not affect it.

DJ17

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/953130#Comment_953130

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/953124#Comment_953124

Kim, could you please give me extra advice. I have requested my full report back in December straight after you post. No response. I have now received an outcome of my assessment which says I am fit to work. I have phone and requested the report again this what the agent written in my journal "31 Jan 2025 at 4:43pm

After speaking today, I've asked that a case manager looks at your case and responds to the questions you raised. They will respond by 5 February 2025, before 6:00pm." No response either. On Tuesday I went to the jobcentre for anappointment and the coach told this is nothing to do with him.

I have just sent another message via journal requesting a copy again. Am I doing something wrong ? or this is DWP trying to be difficult. Ty

poppy123456

You're not doing anything wrong, it's just UC being extremely awkward. You don't actually need the assessment report to challenge the decision. All you need to do is state which group you think applies and your reasons why. Please refer to the link I posted in a previous comment for the descriptors for LCWRA.

DJ17

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/979924#Comment_979924

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/953131#Comment_953131

Poppy, thank you for your response earlier. I got response from DWP today after I made formal online complaint this morning. I am not sure why the report has to be posted rather than emailed or attached to my UE account. What does he mean that I can also contact independent health advisory body. ? Do get the report or explanation why I was refused. If you can please clarify this for me. Thanks

Screenshot_20250210-180539.png

poppy123456

The assessment report is always posted out to you and not emailed or uploaded onto your journal. This will be the full assessment report which was completed by the assessment provider that did your assessment.

That phone number will be for the assessment providers that did your assessment. What UC are saying is if you have issues with the assessment report then you can contact them to put in a complaint. Details on how to do that should be on their website.

DJ17

@poppy123456 Thank you Poppy for your response. I just got the report and have to read it carefully and appeal. She focused on positive rather than negative. From reading your posts I understand that I need to give solid examples to show that I have disability and I am not able to work. What I would like to know is she said with reasonable adjustments I can work. I thought that you need to be disabled for employers legally make any reasonable adjustments? Correct if I am wrong. My second question is that during my last appointment I asked if my commitments can be adjusted because I can't travel for 90 minutes to work and do it every day and he said no. I don't have that option I have to agree to everything that is in front of me. And I have to agree to all the commitments within 7 days? Could you please tell me if this is correct. Thanks again for all your input.

DJ17

Thank you Poppy for your response. I just got the report and have to read it carefully and appeal. She focused on positive rather than negative. From reading your posts I understand that I need to give solid examples to show that I have disability and I am not able to work. What I would like to know is she said with reasonable adjustments I can work. I thought that you need to be disabled for employers legally make any reasonable adjustments? Correct if I am wrong. My second question is that during my last appointment I asked if my commitments can be adjusted because I can't travel for 90 minutes to work and do it every day and he said no. I don't have that option I have to agree to everything that is in front of me. And I have to agree to all the commitments within 7 days? Could you please tell me if this is correct. Thanks again for all your input.

poppy123456

If you don’t have a disability what’s the reasons why you’re unable to work?

You’re disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.

For those 90 minutes it doesn’t have to be that far. Basically what they are saying is that you need to look for work with a distance up to that amount. Yes, I’m afraid you will need to agree to your commitments because otherwise your payments could stop.

DJ17

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/983486#Comment_983486

Thank you for clarifying about the commitments. I have agreed to all and will not bring that up with the job centre again.

I have a serious lung condition that's is life limiting, progressive and there is no cure. The condition is called Idiopathic Lung Disease. I have oxygen at home and I have a portable oxygen if I have to walk for longer because I struggle to breathe. On any given activity my oxygen levels goes very low and that makes me very fatigued. I walk very slowly and have to stop all the time to catch breath. I also take autoimmune medication so I am very susceptible to infections. My GP told me that my condition is serious and I am not fit to work. I agree with her. Unfortunately the DWP think otherwise. And she said that with adaptation at work I can work. So my question is even though the DWP didn't classified me as unfit to work does the employer have to make reasonable adjustments. In my case I will need oxygen condenser to help me through the day. I am all new to this and I don't understand the benefits system and disability laws. The whole system is so confusing. Thanks again for your input.

poppy123456

Then I would class that as a disability. You can ask an employer for reasonable adjustments but they do not have to put those in place. The work capability assessment and an employer are two completely different things.

One of the descriptors for LCWRA that comes to mind here would be the mobilising one, however, for this it's not just about your ability to walk, they also take into consideration your ability to use a self propelled wheelchair. For this reason, if you think it's this one that applies to you then you would need to cover the reasons why you may not be able to use the wheelchair. You can see all the descriptors here for LCWRA. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/limited-capability-for-work-related-activity