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Is this a stretch to think I've potentially been placed in the LCWRA using a paperbased assessment?

Hubs

Been on UC since Feb.

Been providing fit notes.

Been getting regular phone calls from my dwp work coach.

Was sent WCA form to fill out in March.

Work Coach advised me to wait sending it back until I was fully diagnosed, as it would be better for the claim.

Sent back in April after diaagnosis confirmed. All medical records of tests and diagnosis, fit notes, prescriptions and letters from hospital to my GP sent with it.

I have a specialist community nurse that helps me monitor and manage my disability

Phoned WCA folk a few days ago as I hadn't heard anything, confirmed they'd received it back, said it was waiting to be 'signed off' by the medical 'person' after contacting my doctor.

Is the 'signed off' the medical professional informing the DWP of their findings/recommendations?

Regular call from dwp, but from a different work coach, asked me how im doing, wished me all the best and said they don't need to ring me anymore, and hasn't booked another '2 week' call on my journal.

Is this a stretch to think I've potentially been placed in the LCWRA using a paperbased assessment?

I can't see they would find me fit for work given my condition. If I was placed in LCW would they still be wanting to call me?

Thanks in advance, it's late and been playing on my mind so thought I'd ask.

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SueHeath

Morning @Hubs welcome to our great group.
I hope you slept better after you wrote your post.
I am sure you will be greeted by some of the other members, when they wake up.
Hopefully some one in the know will be able to answer your post.

Hubs

Morning @Biblioklept,

Thanks for the reply, I really appreciate it.

I only had the work coach phone call yesterday. Wasn't my regular work coach, someone new. My commitments are still on my online UC account. He said they didn't need to call me anymore and wished me well. No decision letter has been uploaded to my journal though.

I phoned the work capability people the day before. They confirmed they'd contacted my GP for furthr information, said it was waiting to be 'signed off' and I'd get a letter soon.

Maybe my phone call prompted them to contact DWP?

I've no idea what 'signed off' means.

I've got to travel to a different county for further medical treatment next month. I'm just not in a position at the moment to afford the travel expense to get there. Even had to take my car off the road to reduce my outgoings.

I don't have any advances at the moment, so I guess I could apply for one nearer the time if needed.

I woud like to say though, the DWP have been very supportive. My regular work coach has been phoning me every few weeks while I've been reporting fit notes. He's been more concerned about my health than talking about my commitments.

It dispels the horror stories I've read online, at least for me.

poppy123456

Signed off means waiting for the report to be finshed and then returned to DWP. A decision can't be made until this has happened. I think the work coach you spoke to yesterday just used their own discretion for there to be no further phone calls will be needed.

Once a decisions made the letter will be uploaded onto your journal.

Hubs

Thanks @poppy123456,

I'm not sure if I'm going to assume correctly. But I'm wanting to assume the work capability will write to me (as they said to expect a letter) requesting I do a face to face, or telephone assessment, do you think this asumption to be correct.

When I filled out the form I did ask for the assessment to be paper based, where applicable, and gave my reasons why.

Are there any circumstances, you know off, where they'd write to me saying they're doing, or have done, a paper based assessment?

poppy123456

They wouldn’t write to you to tell you they’re doing a paper based assessment.
If an assessment is needed they will write to you sign an appointment date/time.

poppy123456

Barkingmad15 said:

I recieved a payment into my acount BEFORE I got the award decision, I understand this is quite common.

This is usually what happens for PIP and ESA. It’s very unusual for this to happen for UC.

Hubs

Thanks folks,

My condition is heart failure.
Since filling out the pip and WCA forms I've had the diagnosis confirmed with an echocardiogram, been provided with a specialist heart failure community nurse, placed on additional meds and been provided with some monitoring equipment. Waiting on an MRI to see if they can find a cause.

I called pip and WRC to provide this additional information, was told to sit on it and let the person doing the assessment know.
PIP wrote to me asking me to do a telephone assessment. Not recieved anything from WCA yet, but I have been updating my journal with the additional information and talking to my work coach about things. He's been really supportive and concerned, can't fault him.

I just hope the telephone assessment won't take long as I'm always out of breath. Talking makes my breathing worse and when my blood pressure drops suddenly, I get awfully dizzy, my vision blurs and I can't think or talk properly. I have to take a break and try to get some control back.

Hubs

Think I'll just send them an email with all the new meds and community nurses I'm seeing, and ask them for a paper based assessment.

I don't feel they should be putting claimants through this kind of stress, regardless of who they are or their condition, but especially when they suffer with a newly diagnosed heart condition.

calcotti

Barkingmad15 said: Correct me if I am wrong but is not heart failure calssed as a terminal condition?

No condition is automatically treated as terminal. A terminal illness is one in which the medical team would not be surprised if someone died within the next six or twelve months (the time period varies depending on which benefit you are considering).

Hubs

Thanks @Barkingmad15,

Heart failure is a long term, non curable condition that can eventually be fatal. it means my heart is pretty weak and doesn't pump enough blood around my system. Don't get enough oxygen to your internal organs and brain, which is probably why I'm a little dopey these days

As @calcotti said, I think you need to have been told you have 12 months or less for a fast track.

I did read on some random website, that severe cardiac conditions should be paper-based, but can't find it now, typical huh.

calcotti

Hubs said:

As @calcotti said, I think you need to have been told you have 12 months or less for a fast track.

12 months for ESA and PIP
6 months for all other benefits.

poppy123456

Hubs said:

Think I'll just send them an email with all the new meds and community nurses I'm seeing, and ask them for a paper based assessment.

There's never any harm in asking for a paper based assessment but whether this is possible will depend on the evidence you sent. Paper based assesments are rare but they can happen.

Hubs

Thanks @Barkingmad15
I'll let you guys know how things proceed.
PIP telephone assessment isn't far away so I've emailed them today with additional information that a telephone assessment could have a potentially dangerous impact on my health due to the levels of stress and anxiety it would cause.
Gave them permission to speak to my team of community heart failure specialists, so if they want more clarification they can contact them.
Let's see what they say.

jamie2471

Hubs said:

Thanks @Barkingmad15
I'll let you guys know how things proceed.
PIP telephone assessment isn't far away so I've emailed them today with additional information that a telephone assessment could have a potentially dangerous impact on my health due to the levels of stress and anxiety it would cause.
Gave them permission to speak to my team of community heart failure specialists, so if they want more clarification they can contact them.
Let's see what they say.

I asked for paper based assesment in my questionnaire and they accepted it and awarded me you should also be able to mention it then its up to them if they want to with the evidence you send I only sent my care plan from mental health team