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I've been waiting for a decision from my WCA since September. How can I find out what's happening?

aimee89

Hello, I feel like I’m getting no where with universal credit so I was wondering if someone can give me any help and support.

I started handing in sick notes for my disability back in February 2020, in March 2020 my work coach put me forward to claim LCWRA so I completed a health questionnaire and sent it off in March 2020. I then had a telephone assessment in November 2020 but they couldn’t get enough evidence over the phone so I was told i needed a face to face assessment. However COVID restrictions happened and they were all suspended. I then waited until September 2021 for a further telephone assessment with a health specialist who told me this was for LCWRA and said I would be told in 2-6 weeks with a result. Its now November 2021 and I still haven’t been given a result.

The whole process has taken 19 months and I’m still no further forward. I’ve gone without extra support for all this time, I’m unable to work and my husband is my full time carer.

When I’ve put notes on my universal credit journal they are extremely unhelpful and are unable to give me any time scales or updates and I’ve basically been told to wait.

Is there anything I can do to find out what’s happening? Any support would be extremely helpful.

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Comments

poppy123456

Hi,

The Health Assessment Advisory Service are responsible for doing the work capability assessments. You can contact them dirrectly and ask them what's the status of your claim. They will be able to tell you if the assessment report has been returned to DWP. They won't be able to tell you whether a decision's been made because only a decision maker from DWP can make decisions. Contact details in link.

https://www.chdauk.co.uk/contact-us

Alex_Alumni

Hi @aimee89 thanks for reaching out, I know that long, drawn out applications can be immensely stressful and wearing, so I'm sorry you're having to go through such a long wait.

Hopefully the link poppy123456 has provided will help get you some solid answers, please do keep us updated with how you get on.

Alex

aimee89

Hello. Thank you to you both for your comments, however I have already contacted that department and they have informed me that my claim has been sent to the department where the decision makers look at it. It was sent over on September 6th. My work coach has said there is nothing they can tell me. My assessment journey has ended and I’ve just got to wait for it to be looked at. But they won’t tell me how long.

I’m extremely frustrated and stressed, and it’s causing a lot of hardship.

aimee89

Hello again all,

I was just wondering if I’ve been handing in sick notes since February 2020 when my claim is finally assessed will I be getting back dated pay from then? As I’ve been waiting 19 month for it to get assessed. Since I started handing in sick notes regarding my disability. My assessment period on universal credit is 4th-3rd each and I get paid the 10th.

Thank you

janer1967

Hi there

You will get back pay from the 4th full assessment period after you reported the condition

So dependant on the exact date you reported it will depend on when the payment will be backdated to

Obviously you only get any payment if awarded lcwra the first 3 months are not paid

aimee89

That’s great. Thank you for clearing that up for me.

I just don’t understand why it’s taking so long for them to tell me the result of my claim. They have had it since March 2020. And I’ve been handing in sick notes continuously since February 2020.

Especially when I was told in September 2021 I would be notified of a result within 2–6 weeks and we are now coming up to the 13 week.

I’m unable to work and paying bills and affording food is extremely tough.

I just wish it would get sorted. It’s causing a lot stress and depression.

janer1967

I understand the frustration and how long it has been

There are no fixed timescales for decision but they are taking longer than normal lots waiting over 12 weeks like yourself

aimee89

I know and thank you for your reply and support, much appreciated. And I understand there are lots of people waiting especially with the Covid backlog. So thank you for your reply.

aimee89

Will I receive a letter in the post regarding a result or will I receive a pdf on my journal?

janer1967

You will be informed through your journal

They also day they will contact you within 7 days about back pay but don't hold your breath on that

If awarded lcwra

You usually get your first 0ayment in your next uc payment after being informed but backpay is separate payment and can take a while

aimee89

Thank you for your reply and clearing that up for me

My assessment period is 4th-3rd and I get paid on the 10th, so will it show up on that statement if I do get rewarded LCWRA?

The 3 month waiting period is set to end the start of December all being well.

poppy123456

aimee89 said:

The 3 month waiting period is set to end the start of December all being well.

That's not correct. The waiting period starts from when you first reported your health condition, providing you're found to have LCWRA. This means if you reported your health condition in Feb 2020 then the LCWRA starts from either June or July 2020 depending on the exact date you reported the health condition. Providing you don't already have the LCWRA element on your claim from a partner.

If the report has been returned then you have waited rather a long time for a decision, though there are no timescales. Backlogs are just part of the reason a decision can be delayed.

aimee89

Yes I provided evidence of my unfitness for work February 2020, it’s only me who is trying to claim LCWRA. Not my husband.

Like I say I’ve had 2 health assessment telephone calls, one in November 2020 and the other September 2021. I’ve sent in continuous fit notes from my gp every time they have expired without any gaps.

Everytime I’ve contacted UC they are unable to give me any information.

The whole process has taken up to 19 months as of yet.

Martyandme999

They will backpay you and if you've worked part-time they will retrospectively apply the work allowance too! I dealt with my case manager rather than my work coach about this and he was helpful in chasing things up for me. It was better calling than writing on my journal as they don't bother looking at messages a lot of the time (but if you can't get through, write in your journal for a record).

aimee89

Thank you for your comment,
I’ve wrote on my journal numerous times, and also called them to ask what was happening. They have just replied with we can’t help you until the decision maker has looked at it and made a result. I’ve contacted the assessment department and it was passed to the decision maker on the 6th September and I’m still waiting.

I’ve handed in sick notes since feb 2020 and had 2 health assessment telephone appointments.

I’m unsure of what else I can do,
but do you think it maybe worth me writing on my journal again?

Many thanks

calcotti

aimee89 said: I’ve contacted the assessment department and it was passed to the decision maker on the 6th September and I’m still waiting.

That length of time is not unusual at the moment.

aimee89

Yes I appreciate that fully, but that isn’t helpful who have been signed off unfit for work due to a physical disability and who needs extra help and support.

In March 2022 I’ve been waiting nearly 2 years for support and help.

It’s hard not to get angry when there is no one to give any answers, and are just fobbed off with the Covid situation.

I’m sorry for the harshness. I don’t mean to come across rude as I know no one on here as any powers of helping. I just wish there was someone who could find out what’s happening down the line.

Alex_Alumni

Hi @aimee89 I can completely understand your frustration with the process, especially when all you're after is some reassurance that things are moving along.

Remember, you've done everything you can from your side, and you've given yourself the best chance of a positive outcome by sending in all of your sick notes. You are managing what you can control really well. If you can, try not to dwell on the parts of this process which other people manage.

I know what I've said won't result in concrete action, but I hope it helps support you. If there is anything you think we can help you with, please do say

aimee89

Thank you very much for your reply and reassurance, me and my husband just need someone to listen to us. And we have had more help and support from here and you guys than we have had the whole 2 years from dwp and UC. So thank you.

I just hope we aren’t waiting too long because it’s been nearly 2 years and I’m unable to leave the house and depend on my husband to do everything as he is my full time carer and we just would like some extra support to make those things easier for us.

Richteachouxsnack

Did you have to see your work coach regularly while waiting for wca result

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