Commonly used acronyms on the community.

Albus_Alumni

Here on the community, many people will use acronyms when talking about various benefits, or conditions. I thought it could be useful to list many that are most commonly used. If you see any that aren't on the list, please feel free to mention them and we can add them to the list.

Benefits and work

AA - Attendance Allowance - a benefit for people above pension age.

AP - Assessment Period - the period in which your Universal Credit is calculated.

ADP - Adult Disability Payment - a benefit for people in Scotland.

AET - Administrative Earnings Threshold - sometimes applied to Universal Credit if you are self employed

APA - Alternative Payment Arrangements - more frequent payments of Universal Credit for those who might struggle with monthly payments.

AR - Assessor’s Report - the report filled out by your assessor during a benefits assessment.

CA - Carer's Allowance - a benefit for carers

CE - Carer's element - an element of Universal Credit for carers

CM - Case Manager - the person managing a benefits claim.

COS - Change of Circumstances - a change that may affect your benefits

CTR - Council Tax Reduction - a reduction in council tax for eligible people

DFG - Disabled Facilities Grants - council grants to make your home more accessible

DLA - Disability Living Allowance - a disability benefit for under 16s. The adult benefit is now being replaced by PIP.

DM - Decision Maker - the person that makes a decision on your benefits assessment

DP - Direct Payment - money from a personal budget to pay for care.

ESA - Employment and Support Allowance - a non means-tested benefit for people who are unable to work due to disability

F2F - Face to Face - being present at an assessment or appointment rather than attending over the phone

FFW - Fit For Work - expected to search and apply for full-time work

FTT - First Tier Tribunal - a stage of a benefits appeal where your claim is looked at by a panel of judges and health professionals

HB - Housing benefit - a benefit providing financial support for housing

ICE - Independent Case Examiner - someone who reviews complaints about certain government services including benefits.

LCW - Limited Capability for Work - you can undertake some work preparation activities, but are not expected to work full time

LCWRA - Limited Capability for Work and Work-related Activities - you are not expected to work or prepare for work

LHA - Local Housing Allowance - the amount a council uses to determine financial support for benefits claimants living in private rental accommodation

MR - Mandatory Reconsideration - the first stage of a benefits appeal

NC - Non Compliance - not complying with benefits conditions

NI - National Insurance - a contribution system that entitles you to a State Pension and certain benefits

NMW - National Minimum Wage - the minimum amount you can be paid in employment

PC - Pension Credit - a benefit for people of pension age on low incomes

PIP - Personal Independence Payment - a disability benefit

PWB - Personal Wheelchair Budget - money to help you afford a wheelchair

ROP - Record of Proceedings - notes or recordings of a tribunal appeal

SDP - Severe Disability Premium - an additional element of income-related Employment Support Allowance

SMI - Support for Mortgage Interest - financial support for those paying mortgages

SOR - Statement of Reasons - a list of reasons about a particular benefits decision

SPA - State Pension Age - the age at which you receive your state pension

SSP - Statutory Sick Pay - paid by your employer if you are too sick to work

TP -Transitional Protection - protection for those moving from legacy benefits to Universal Credit

UC - Universal Credit - the main benefit for people with low incomes and people who are unable to work

UT - Upper Tribunal - the next stage of an appeal if it is rejected at first-tier tribunal

WCA - Work Capability Assessment - an assessment to determine your ability to work.

Common Organisational Abbreviations

ACAS - Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service - for work-related support

B&W - Benefits and Work - information and news about benefits

CAB - Citizens Advice - an advice service for all kinds of issues

CAMHS - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

CHC - NHS Continuing Healthcare - care packages for adults funded by the NHS

DWP - Department for Work and Pensions - the government department responsible for benefits and work

EASS - Equality Advisory and Support Service - advice on equality issues

HCPC - Health and Care Professionals Council

HMCTS - HM Courts & Tribunal Service - the service handling tribunal appeals

ICB - Integrated Care Board - helps to provide joined up care across NHS services

IPSEA - Independent Provider of Special Education Advice - advice about SEND laws across England

OH - Occupational Health - support to help you in work

PALS - Patient Advice and Liaison Service - for any issues with your NHS care

SENDIASS - Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Services

Health, treatments and conditions

ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ASD - Autism Spectrum Disorder

CBT - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

CP - Cerebral Palsy

CMHT/CMHS - Community Mental Health Team or Community Mental Health Service

DBT - Dialectical Behavioural Therapy

EDS - Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

MD - Muscular Dystrophy

M.E. - Myalgic Encephalopathy

MND - Motor Neurone Disease

MS - Multiple Sclerosis

OT - Occupational Therapy or Occupational Therapist - someone who helps you with your accessibility needs at home or work

PA - Personal Assistant - a paid assistant that helps you with your every day needs

PCOS / PMOS - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, now called Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome

PMDD - Premenstrual Disphoric Disorder

PTSD - Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

SW - Social Worker - someone who helps with your care or social needs

SW - Support Worker - someone who helps support you day to day

TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury

chiarieds

AP - Assessment Period

CA - Carer's Allowance

CE - Carer element

COC - Change of circumstances

CTR - Council Tax Reduction

HB - Housing benefit

LHA - Local Housing Allowance

NI - National Insurance

NMW -National Minimum Wage

PC - Pension Credit

ROP - Record of Proceedings

SPA - State Pension Age

SSP - Statutory Sick Pay

TP -Transitional Protection

Albus_Alumni

Brilliant stuff, thanks @chiarieds

(Good to see you back by the way 😊)

CarNineSix

Hello all, got here through a link that @Rosie_Scope posted where I was confused about an acronym.

Having seen this list I am still not 100% clear. This is more to do with my other knowledge and being new here.

I have looked up the answers I needed, but it might be better to have all the acronyms linked to a post with more details here?

Rosie_Scope

Thanks for the feedback @CarNineSix ☺️ Just to be clear, would you find it useful if each acronym above linked to a page that explained what it is? Let me know whether you meant something different.

CarNineSix

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1149885#Comment_1149885

Yes @Rosie_Scope , each acronym having its own page. Not just for me but for everyone. Almost like a little wikipedia, have the two min read at the top and the rest below.

There could also be the "experts" version and then the real world version of effects and side effects. My partner has more than one issue all linked to one event . . . . an aneurysm. I am finding new stuff every day, some of it is asking the right question and some simply by expanding my knowledge.

Even an users contribution section.

Rosie_Scope

Great, thank you @CarNineSix. I've made some edits to the list for now so that it gives a few more details, and I'll pass your ideas on to the rest of the team ☺️

CarNineSix

@Rosie_Scope Yes, this is exactly what I meant. You can remove or move these comments now to clean the post up if you want.