An extremely long wait for my WCA appointment

Justice808

Hi,

Does anyone know the average waiting time for a WCA?

I submitted my WCA form on 4th February, 2024, and 14 months later, I am still waiting!! I constantly keep getting fobbed off with "you're in the queue." Surely it's not right to have to wait this long? I don't know how they don't feel embarrassed.

As you can imagine, the long waiting time has caused my mental health and well-being to be even worse than they usually are. I've told my work coach about it, but apart from saying, "It seems like a long time," she doesn't seem to be able to help.

I really don't think I can wait any longer!!

If anyone can offer any info or advice, I would really appreciate it.

Many thanks,

Leon

Kimi87

Have you been asking the Assessment Provider?

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-your-health-assessment-provider

Perhaps you could check their complaints procedure and make a formal complaint over the wait for an appointment.

Justice808

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1015333#Comment_1015333

Hi @Kimi87 ,

Many thanks for the reply.

That's a good point and one that I had forgotten about. I'll be sure to do that the next time I phone up.

BTW, do you to know what can happen if I do make a complaint? I'm sure they'll make a good excuse up!

Thanks again.

Kind regards,

Leon

3PARKWAY3

Hi Leon

I am in a very similar position as you. I have been waiting since April 2024 for a reply on my WCA Reveiw (forms and evidence). I have been advised by my Workcoach at the jobcentre that I will remain in the LCW group until a decision is made. Apparently the backlog is huge as new claims for WCA are given priority over existing reveiws, and that is the official position at the moment ! I have managed to accept the backlog and as long as LCW is still in place I can cope with the waiting

misszxo

I don’t know if it’s area dependent but I was waiting 6 weeks for my wca. Had it last Friday and was awarded LCWRA today.

worried33

They do prioritise new claims as they are on review rates, until the result. But 14 months sounds like it has got worse since I last one, which makes you wonder what happens when they open the flood gates next year.

Andi66

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/132804/an-extremely-long-wait-for-my-wca-appointment

I'm in the same position, Jan 24, esa 50. The dwp person I spoke to last Mon said someone would contact me. I'm in Lcw as well.

pursuingenlightment

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/132804/an-extremely-long-wait-for-my-wca-appointment

Im

pursuingenlightment

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/132804/an-extremely-long-wait-for-my-wca-appointment

pursuingenlightment

pursuingenlightment

Exactly the same thing happened to me. Exactly the same. What your work coach isn't telling you as mine didn't, is that WCA is not the same as LCWRA. WCA pays the same amount as you normally get. Tip, Welfare rights team from my local council helped me ot get them to reconsider the decision. As i was also confused in LCWRA and WCA meaning and went about my usual unpleasant situation. I hope everything works out well for you 🙏

Passerby

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1061608#Comment_1061608

You seem to be still confused!

The WCA (Work Capability Assessment) is the name of the assessment and doesn't entitle any benefits. On the other hand, LCWRA, LCW, and Fit for work are the outcomes of the WCA. It's only the LCWRA that entitles benefits, unless one has been in the LCW prior to 2017.