LWCRA - getting the report and then voluntary or earnings

Poeticconfusion

Hi all,

I receive LCWRA and have been for maybe a year or two I think it is now.

I'd like to try working - I've been offered an opportunity for sessional work as a counsellor, or voluntary. I have M.E but would like to try doing an hour or two per week as it helps me feel valuable and useful.

I keep reading that no work is limited as long as it doesn't directly oppose why I was awarded...but as I have both M.E and anxiety, I'm not exactly sure which markers they awarded it based on.

I'm scared to ask questions on my journal around my award, and around self-employment...I'm terrified of rocking the boat and having it taken from me, and then having to work full time, becoming severely ill and not being able to function. I do not want to go back to being bed bound and having others feed me etc.

Anyway I digress...are these fears of rocking the boat realistic? Is there a draft of how to request a copy of the assessment that resulted in my award?

Many thanks

Kimi87

Yes you can do an online data request

https://secure.dwp.gov.uk/personal-information-request/name

Poeticconfusion

Thank you, is that seperate to asking on my journal? Does it ever cause issues - I catastrophise, as you can probably tell!

Storm25

I am in the LCWRA group for ESA and do permitted work. I completed the permitted work form, put some further explanation on it as to expected hours, what the job entails and the agreed reasonable adjustments/equipment in place. I can't remember whether I also sent a copy of my job description. My manager is aware of my health conditions and agreed to be the contact for DWP in case they want further information from my employer. I got a letter back saying it was approved and have been in the job for a couple of years now.

I wish you good luck with it all: I hope the opportunity works out well for you and that you find you are able to manage it around your health condition.

Kimi87

I didn't recommend a Journal message because when in LCWRA you don't have a work coach, messages instead go to a service centre and replies can take some time.

You have the right to ask for data they hold on you, so no it won't cause any issues.

Poeticconfusion

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1055144#Comment_1055144

Thank you for sharing, I didn't realise there was that process! It all feels daunting.

Poeticconfusion

That explains the slow responses in the past, I'd been slowly completing a degree so circumstances changed each summer. And it would take forever to get them altered.

II'll request via the link you suggested. It may be that I need to update my assessment, if that's a thing...its hard though as like I say, M.E is variable. So I might manage steps today, but tomorrow be crawling to get to the toilet. Urgh, worry worry worry.

Thanks for the advice!

Poeticconfusion

I also wonder if it will be different doing it as a self employed person. As I'll be my own manager, and I can work from home doing telephone counselling, whilst setting my own limot on hours 🤔

I wish there was a way of knowing all the guidelines etc before taking any action!

Kimi87

You can get an idea of the guidelines by talking to a trained welfare rights advisor

https://advicefinder.turn2us.org.uk/

Poeticconfusion

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1055167#Comment_1055167

I think i need to look into this. Good suggestion 🙂