need UC advise urgently please

VeryAnnoyed

Hi

So im current 45 and have a spinal and mobility disability, I had an accident when i was 20 and my condition is much worse now than then, my current condition is

Spinal degenerative disease, Prolapsed disc at base of spine, muscle and nerve damage, sciatica and arthritis in same effected leg. Im on 8 prescriptions including tramadol and amitriptyline. i also have a spinal steriod epidural every 6 months (just had 25th 2 weeks ago)

I receive basic care and mobility of PIP and lost my full time (with medical restrictions) job in May, i applied for hundreds of jobs ranging from retail to cinema work even admin and was turned down for all, even the job center applied and i got turned down.

Any who, so i currently have a temp xmas job which finishes 2nd week of Jan 2025. im only doing 12hrs as i cant do more atm. i was told by Job center/Universal Credit advisor that i can earn upto £673 before my Uc payments are effected as im not claiming housing benefit. But they halved my UC from 393 to 195 as i got paid £358 wages for 3 weeks work.

So i contacted UC to ask how have i been docked UC, to be told im not assessed as being disabled work capability so i dont have any relief on UC. i had a capability assessment over the phone and despite having a permanent degenerative disability and the above, im able to do some type of work.

So am i right in thinking that, in the eyes of UC, your either disabled and cannot work or am not disabled but can work cause it seems to me that despite my daily challenges, and the obvious fact i cannot apply for any job out there, that im being discriminated against for being disabled and can do some limited work.

I am also currently waiting for an urgent orthopedic appointment and MRI scan as i have lost all touch sensation to between my knee and toes, and have peed myself twice in the last 2 months, which as my GP has told me could be a sign of partial paralysis

someone please guide me on what the hell to do.

Thanks for advice

poppy123456

As you weren’t found to have either Limited Capability for work (LCW) or Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA) then you won’t be entitled to the work allowance, unless you have dependant children on your claim.

LCW means they agree that your health conditions limit your capability to work and you do not have to look for work but you may still be expected to attend work focused interviews.

LCWRA means you would not have to look for work or attend any appointments.

Even with LCW/LCWRA you can still work if you want to and many people do.

If none of the above apply then yes you will be expected to work or look for work.

When was the decision made on your work capability assessment? Did you challenge the decision?