Limited capability for work related activities

Jerome26

Hi, I've been on uc since October 18and have been signed off for the entire duration since, I was unfortunately homeless for the first few months and had been given extra support by my work coach, meaning I didn't have to attend any appointments and I was to concentrate on finding suitable housing fo myself, this certainly wasn't an easy time for me and really put a huge strain on my ability to be "normal" and as you can imagine my anxiety was getting worse.
I was sent to an assessment in April 19 and was put in the limited capability group which gave me no extra money, since being on uc I've had to take advances and budgeting loans and then obviously paying this back through my monthly payment, this leaves me on £199 per month (I receive fortnightly £99).
After spending 6 months in a privately rented property which was hell on earth but had absolutely zero choice in the matter, apart from stay in a homeless shelter! Luckily I'm now with a mental health charity and am in supported housing with them and so far it's helping me slowly but am still living of the small payment from ucplus a service charge of £18 every fortnight! 
I have asked for the mandatory reconsideration and that was slapped back in my face after 14 weeks I got a "no cha ge in the decision", so I'm now going down the tribunal route with my support worker helping me, I'm extremely anxious about being integrated about very personal questions, so any advise on this subject would be greatly appreciated, also whether the payment is back dated, as I mentioned I've been signed off for the entire uc claim.
Thanks in advance 
Jerome 

poppy123456

HI,

I'm sorry to hear this. The panel at the Tribunal are totally independent to DWP and the health assessment providers and they will be very understanding. Although you could very well be asked some questions about how your conditions affect you. I can't advise what you'll be asked because i don't know anything about your conditions.

Appearing in person will give you the best chance of a decision in your favour. If you're given LCWRA the extra money will be backdated to the 4th complete assessment period after you sent in your first fit note.

Adrian_Scope

Hello @Jerome26 and a warm welcome to the community. 

I'm glad to read you're now housed securely and are getting help from your support worker.
If your tribunal is successful and you're placed into the LCWRA group then (assuming there have been no breaks in your fit notes), the additional money for this should be backdated to three full assessment periods after you submitted your first fit note. 

I can understand how daunting the prospect of a tribunal is but do keep in mind that the majority of these (75%) are successful. The best advice is to be as honest as you can.

Hopefully some of our members will be able to share their experience of tribunals with you.

Jerome26

Hi, thanks for your reply, I suffer travel and social anxiety which makes this quite difficult for me, I will be appearing in person with my support worker so I can know exactly what is happening, the reason I ask is that my assessment was extremely unsettling for me as I had no support with me and struggled to even find the place which was in another area so caused me to travel by train which was held against me by the words used! I don't deny that in the future I'd like to go back to work but currently do not see this happening any time soon and with my extremely low income and inability to get around I feel its getting worse. 
I will be relieved to be speaking to people outside of the dwp so hopefully it goes well. 
Thanks again for the response it's very much appreciated 
Jerome