Help completing UC50 Form

Tegan

I lost my job in December after waking up disabled in March and basically being signed off most of the year and attempted a phased return to work but couldn’t cope so was dismissed in medical capability.

I applied for UC on 31st December and today received my UC50 form to fill in.

it’s so difficult to fill in as my condition is not straight forward. Seen dozen specialist. All agreed I am in chronic pain and chronic fatigue and my legs a swollen. I have difficulty walking I use a walker and walking stick, I had my house adapted as much as I can but due to waiting lists I have just been left to figure out being disabled. 

I am In pain 24/7 but under no pain management as I have so many other conditions and allergies the drugs interact and I get worse.

I have tried to end my life and saw a mental health nurse for a while but been discharged but I’m just spiralling!

I am suffering and struggling need to prove it on a form that doesn’t ask the relevant questions? I don’t have medical letters for all my treatments my prescription no longer has pain relief on it so doesn’t back up my chronic pain statement and my GP is ignoring and request for information.

im a young (well ok young-ish) widow i live alone and im trying to cope with this life changing situation but government, medical professionals etc just seem to hope I will die before they have to do anything 😢

poppy123456

It's not about a diagnosis, it's how those conditions affect your ability to do any type of work. You need to explain exactly how your conditions affect you. Also add a couple of recent real world examples of what happened the last time you attempted that activity for each one that applies to you. Include information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were.

You will only receive extra money if found to have LCWRA and you can see the descriptors for that here. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/3904-limited-capability-for-work-related-activity

This may also help, although it says ESA50 the UC50 is exactly the same.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/fill-in-form/

You need to make sure the form is returned before the deadline.

chiarieds

Hi @Tegan - as the UC50 form takes into consideration specific physical & mental problems, it may seem as if it doesn't look at the problems you have, & yet it does, as you say whether you can do the activities 'reliably,' i.e. safely, repeatedly, to an acceptable standard, & in a reasonable period of time. Here's where you'd illustrate how you're affected by pain, for example.

For each of the questions that apply to you, if you can't do the task 'reliably,' then you explain.

Give a couple of detailed examples for each question that applies, as mentioned above.

Don't worry too much about medical evidence as often it wouldn't be relevant to the questions asked. Your anecdotal evidence matters more.

You might explain about the difficulties you have had with medication, if you're not now taking any.

A GP's letter may have to be paid for, &, as above, will likely not be relevant, so you don't need it.

There's some info on completing the form here: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Work-Capability-Assessment/The-questionnaire-(ESA50)#guide-content

Tori_Scope

I hope that the above comments have been helpful in regards to completing the UC50 form @Tegan Please do let us know if you need any additional information.

I've also sent you an email from community@scope.org.uk to catch up with you about how you're doing, so please do keep an eye out for that if you can.