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Work capability Health Assessment

LoveGladly

Hello,

First post here.

Looking for anyone with experiences with the decision made on their Work Capability Health Assessment.

I've been on UC since 2020 following redundancy due to Covid.
I have various health issues even before Covid and had a Brain Injury which pretty much changed everything.
Always been grateful with the help i get, and my work coach never pushes me to work more than i can handle.
His hands are tied though when it comes to what i do and what i need to do.
I had a fit/sick note for restricted/altered hours so didn't need to look for more.

I submitted my fit note, and literally within 2 days i had the health questionnaire posted to me which those familiar with it knows can be quite extensive if you have a lot of issues.

It took over 5 months for mine to even get processed, and had to chase multiple times before getting a face to face appointment.

This was the second assessment i have done so assumed it would be the same outcome, and i also added 2 more conditions.

Below is the outcome:

" It is not disputed that you have health problems. The reason you do not need to declare or provide further sick notes is because it has been determined that the medical conditions that you have do not limit your functional ability to the extent that you cannot do some type of work."

Seems the fit note is now void as apparently i am fit for work? even though i am doing 16 hours a week while feeling pretty unwell.

My work coach has requested a mandatory reconsideration request.

Apparently i now have to aim for 35 hours per week.

I don't remember all of the questions on the initial questionnaire, but after having my Face to Face with the Doctor which i thought went well at the time, i now think because i can do basic tasks I'm deemed fit to work.
The Doctor was well aware that although i can do basic task's, they take a lot longer due to short term memory and confusion. Sometimes i cannot even do the task.

Not sure what to expect from the reconsideration but have the feeling it wont change.

I have also requested the Health report.

Apparently their is a tribunal option, which seems a bit excessive at the moment.

I have also contacted citizens advice as they have a benefit query option on their website.

Any advice

Thanks

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Comments

Lauren29

It sounds as if you had two Work Capability Assessments whilst claiming Universal Credit and been found fit for work on both occasions and that your work coach has helped you to ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration. Have you been told that you have to work 35 hours a week? Work Coaches have the discretion to vary a work commitment even if you have been found fit for work. They can adjust your claimant commitment if your health condition means you can only do certain types of work or manage a certain number of hours. If the Mandatory Reconsideration fails please seek advice from Citizens Advice or a similar body.

Holly_Alumni

Hi @LoveGladly sorry to read this. It's definitely worth requesting a copy of the paperwork if you haven't already to help you remember. It's good you've reached out to Citizens advice too, their advisors can support you throughout the process. Sounds like you've got a great champion in your work coach too which is nice. 😊

You might also find our page helpful - Appealing a benefits decision | Disability charity Scope UK. It breaks the process down and gives some helpful tips and support links. I hope you get on ok with your MR. Please keep us updated if you're happy to.

LoveGladly

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1069560#Comment_1069560

Hi Lauren,

Yes i believe i have done two, but they must of been due to submitting the fit notes.

I think my first GP fit note was for 3 months, but due to the back log with Ingeus to process them, i asked for my second fit note to be 6 months as i thought i would just end up in a loop of doing assessments.

My work coach says the 35 limit is applied automatically due to the decision although we will have an appointment coming up where my commitments will likely be amended as i will not be able to 35 hours although i would alot more if i could.

Thanks

LoveGladly

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1069623#Comment_1069623

Hi,

Yes i am keen to see the report.

I now remember some of the other questions i was asked which i did not mind but one was to read a word backwards and asked to remember 3 words and then ask to repeat them later on.

I thought it was weird, but could of been tailored to my questionnaire, which also asked things like could i stand for a period of time or understand/read instructions.

Questions sound a bit similar to PIP ?

Yes my work coach is good and i always make sure my UC account is up to date as requested so my appointments are very short and i rarely need to do anything else work wise.

Holly_Alumni

It'll definitely help when looking to do the mandatory reconsideration. I've seen a few posts on here recently by people who have won their reconsideration which is always nice to see. Hopefully you'll have the same result. 😊

LoveGladly

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1069659#Comment_1069659

Morning,

Just had my report posted to me.

Under the Doctors name was blank, not sure if by mistake or on purpose.

Quite detailed which is a good thing, i am surprised that with all the life saving/changing surgeries plus other unrelated issues under investigation (whilst in daily pain) i am still capable of work due to my cognitive ability and that the other issues don't affect daily life!

I am due to meet my work coach to send/upload more evidence.

Been trying for hours to get in contact with Citizens advice but they must be busy.

They called me but didn't give me enough time to answer. Will keep trying.

LoveGladly

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1070663#Comment_1070663

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1069659#Comment_1069659

Hello,

So the decision didn't change, so I've appealed via the Tribunal option.

It's a shame UC would not answer a basic question regarding some wording in the report.

They either didn't know, or wouldn't answer due to the decision.

I also have a new Work Coach who didn't know much about it either.

I expect all the departments now involved are busy, as apart form dealing with DWP I've contacted the Tribunal helpline regarding whether i needed to add proof of all health history/Hospital Letters again as wasn't sure if they have them. Was told don't as it will annoy the Judge (Their words) if i duplicate them. Told me to contact DWP.

Waiting for the Health Assessment department to confirm if they will send them.

All a bit messy.

The Tribunal aspect was quite straight forward (online) and you say why you disagree.

It let you add as much as you want, so i made it very detailed.

I opted to not attend the hearing although maybe i should of. Instead they just write to you.

I find it easier writing than talking.

Their is a request to ask for an audio of the hearing which sounds ideal.

Mentions that with a Judge on some occasions a Doctor which would definitely help the Judge unless they have medical background.

Holly_Alumni

Thanks so much for sharing your update with us @LoveGladly, and for the detail on how the process has been so far. I really hope you get a positive outcome from this.