Universal credit work capability assessment

sj2025

hi I sent my uc50 back around 11th Jan, I’m assuming I’ll shortly be sent for an assessment for wca

Is there anything I can do in the meantime to prepare myself for the assessment, I have no idea if it will be telephone or in person either.
also is it better to await the outcome of my wca before applying for pip

My work coach at the job center keeps asking me if I have applied for a pip but I don’t know if to do it at the same time as this wca is going through or wait the outcome

Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated

Kind regards Sarah

Kimi87

PIP and UC are separate benefits, so one won't affect the other.

This is the WCA guide I normally link to, unfortunately the website is offline currently :

https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/resources/work-capability-assessment#:~:text=It%20has%20two%20parts.,the%20work%2Drelated%20activity%20group

An alternative:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/if-youre-sick-or-disabled/going-to-your-universal-credit-medical-assessment/

Some information on PIP:

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

For PIP and UC if you cannot do an activity reliably, repeatedly, safely and in a reasonable time frame, for more than 51% of the time, you are treated as unable to do the activity at all.

Enduring_Rogue

Thanks for sharing this information @Kimmy87 it will help me greatly with my PIP mandatory reconsideration and my WCA assessment when I get one.

bexter73

hi, I had my LWCRA assessment by phone last month. I kept a copy of my filled in uc50 form so I could look back on any questions asked. I was lucky enough to get a doctor as my assessor who was very knowledgeable of my condition. The assessment was around 30 mins long in my case.

I’d apply for pip now if I were you. While all your medical information etc is still fresh in your head.

Best of luck

sj2025

thank you for all the information everyone,I did keep a copy of my uc50

But no idea if they will want to see me in person or over the phone until I receive a letter from them

If it’s in person I will have to refresh my memory before I go by going over my copy of the form

How do I go about getting the pip form

newbie2025

0800 917 2222 is the app line for PIP, they may send you s form or email you a link to complete the form online or so both.

Some answers from your lcwra questions may be relevant so read everything twice before you answer

Good luck

sj2025

so I finally had my wca yesterday, it’s been a really stressful experience from start to finish, the uc50 form was an absolute nightmare tbh I got really worked up over it for a long time, all the collecting medical evidence and everything else that goes into it before you can finally send it all off

Then there’s the long wait for the wca , had mine on the phone which for me was a bonus as I was stressing for weeks about the journey there if I had to go in person

And thinking if I have to go I’m going to get lost or something

The assessment lasted about 45 minutes

I’m not sure how I feel about how it went tbh

She didn’t say much other than she had enough information to be going on with

And it’s just the report she has to do and now the wait for a decision

Not sure how long that decision will take

But tbh now over finally had the assement and I put that phone down

It was like a weight off my shoulders for a bit

And such a relief 😅

That was the worst form so far I’ve ever had to fill out by my self

And which ever way it goes now I feel quite proud of my self that I could at least do this form

I’m really great full for the support from everyone who has given me advice

Sent me links to help and guides

So thank you so much scope community I’m so glad I joined the forum X

Holly_Scope

What a lovely post to read @sj2025. Thank you for sharing your experience and I'm so pleased it's done and you're feeling more relieved and at ease. It really is a great community isn't it. 😄

sj2025

I’m pleased it’s done, it drove me crazy 😅and yes it really is a wonderful community, the ammount of people that take time out of there day to help others when there struggling with there own health and there own problems. To try to help others is really heartwarming ❤️
I’m really greatfull for the help and advice.

snowwhite89

What questions did they ask you. I sent my forms off this week and due to my anxiety I am starting to prepare for the interview.

sj2025

hi, does anyone know how long it is after you have had a wca before you hear about a decision please ?
Thank you.

Kimi87

Anything up to 12 weeks. Some people hear within days, others wait weeks or months.

sj2025

I was just messaged on my uc journal to say I’ve been found to be lcwra, I don’t know how long it will be for, I’m assuming there will be a reassment in the near future

Not sure what happens now

Kimi87

I'm glad you had a decision.

Payment for LCWRA is ongoing and doesn't have an end date like PIP. Unless a reassessment finds you fit for work/LCW it will continue.

If you are due any backpay a letter about this will be added onto your Journal.

Otherwise, the LCWRA element will be added to your monthly payment statement after the waiting period has ended/the DWP fully process the decision.

sj2025

Thank you kimi87 for your reply and the information, I will await a letter from uc

Hopefully it will all be sorted soon

Kind regards Sarah