Can you get more time/support with UC50?

Banana57

Hi Scope community

My enbyfriend has to fill out the capability for work form this week, if it's to get to DWP in time. But their conditions/disabilities are making it extremely difficult. I have done the capability for work process myself, so I can help a bit, but only to a point (I have some of the same conditions that make life admin hard, plus I'm their boyfriend, not a support worker). I remember how hard the process was, and I had support whereas they effectively have none.

I assume there are other people who've needed more time and support to fill this form out. Does anyone know what their options are?

Thanks in advance.

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

There are some disability advice services around but they are very area dependent so you'd have to check locally what's available in that area. The CAB may also help but their advice and form filling is not always good.

The claimant can request a time extension for the UC50 return by calling the number on the letter.

Kimmy87

Here is a link to find local help:

https://advicelocal.uk/welfare-benefits

poppy123456

There’s no extended time to return this form. If they have a vulnerable marker on their file then returning it on time isn’t as important as it would be if they didn’t have a marker.

There’s also a guide here that may help them. It says ESA50 but the UC50 form is the same. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/fill-in-form-esa/

Banana57

Thanks @OverlyAnxious, @Kimmy87 and @poppy123456. In the end I contacted Scope, and discovered that someone on their helpline can talk me and my enbyfriend through the form whilst they do it, which we think will make it just about managable. (Sharing this potential solution in case anyone else finds themselves in a similar situation.)

Banana57

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/967416#Comment_967416

(correction: I should have said "we" rather than "they")