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Completing two personal actions

bluefox

Hello,

I finally got my decision letter after ages of waiting for it and it says I scored 15 points for completing two personal actions and it wasn’t based on the suicidal thoughts (unless the letter can’t mention that)

what exactly does completing two personal actions mean?

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poppy123456

The descriptors for LCWRA are here https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/limited-capability-for-work-related-activity

bluefox

Thanks

Cannot, due to impaired mental function, reliably initiate or complete at least two sequential personal actions. 15 points
Cannot, due to impaired mental function, reliably initiate or complete at least two sequential personal actions for the majority of the time. 9 points

I thought number 1. was also majority of the time?

Also:

I’m super annoyed as I can’t travel anywhere without someone accompanying me and didn’t score any points for this I think. What a joke!

Luckily my review is December and I have learnt a lot of lessons from my first time claiming benefits.

Ross_Alumni

Afternoon @sierrafox

Thanks for your reply, and for creating this thread to update us all.

It's good that you have learnt a lot of lessons from your first time claiming benefits, however of course it's a shame that the process hasn't always been as smooth as you'd hope. Will you be carrying out an appeal now or waiting until your review in December as suggested in your comment?

In terms of your mental health, how are you getting on at the moment? I know we've spoken before about it, but always remember that we are just an email away if you evr want to talk, or if we can support you at all. And of course you're more than welcome on the community too

bluefox

Is it worth me doing an appeal now? I honestly had no idea about the scoring system at the time. Probably through lack of motivation I guess.

I have had this award now for almost a year.

I know I’m a nuisance but can please people help me navigate this.

poppy123456

sierrafox said:

Is it worth me doing an appeal now?

Appeal for what reason? You're in the Support Group and you can't get a higher award than that. Therefore there's nothing to appeal.

sierrafox said:

I’m super annoyed as I can’t travel anywhere without someone accompanying me and didn’t score any points for this I think. What a joke!

For ESA work capability assessment there's no points for this. It seems like you're confusing PIP with ESA.

For the Support Group you only need to satisfy at least one of the descriptors in the link i posted above. It's not about scoring points.

bluefox

I thought ESA was points based?

For example scoring 1b gives you 9 points and the question on going out should score 6 points because I need to be accompanied by someone which would make 15 points?

Have I got this wrong?

Plus I feel like the decision maker hasn’t taken into account my suicidal thoughts and at the moment I am self harming but I suppose I can evidence this in my next review.

What exactly is initiating personal actions?

because yet again I don’t want to get in trouble and benefitsandwork say there’s a cross over between PIP and ESA medical and if they find inconsistencies they call you for an early review.

But… that hasn’t happened with me to be fair and both assessments seem consistent when I’ve read them.

However why am I not scoring points for ESA? I can’t use public transport and avoid crowds and absolutely need someone with me at all times to “escape my severe anxiety around panic and non epileptic seizures”

calcotti

For Limited Capability for Work the assessment is point based.
For LCWRA/Support group you simply have to meet any one descriptor.

bluefox

They said I scored 15 points. And exactly what is initiating personal action? I’m having trouble on the majority of days to do my washing, cleaning etc due to motivation and apathy/fatigue. Also washing, dressing and eating.

I guess this is it?

calcotti

Read the LCWRA descriptors in the link poppy already provided.

bluefox

I did but I thought it was all a points based system?

poppy123456

sierrafox said:

I did but I thought it was all a points based system?

No it’s not. It doesn’t mention anything about any points in the link I posted.

bluefox

Oh, now I’m really confused.

I read somewhere about it being points system and descriptors 11a 11b 11c etc.

can anyone explain what initiating personal action is?

they also said in my letter that I scored 15 points for it??!

Why wasn’t my suicidal thoughts taken into account? It said in my report that in my information. I feel scared because I’ve been self harming about losing my current job due to my health. I’m scared of this process.

poppy123456

Points refer to LCW not LCWRA https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/limited-capability-for-work

bluefox

I’m so confused.

So in my report it just mentions my depression and anxiety and panic attacks and seizures.

Then it states the LCWRA information saying suicidal thoughts etc and how I’m not caring for myself or motivated etc to do things that require doing.

Then I got this decision letter.

Is this still
majority or days?

Ross_Alumni

Hi @sierrafox

I appreciate that it can seem quite confusing at times and that the uncertainty can lead to more feelings of stress and anxiety over it all. Do ensure that you are taking time to look after yourself as much as possible and are doing things you enjoy. What are your hobbies and interests that would help to take your mind off things a bit?

I also wanted to pop on to say I have sent you an email from community@scope.org.uk. You may have already seen it, but if not please do give it a read at a time that is convenient for you and get back to us

poppy123456

Why are you so confused? You were found to have LCWRA which is the highest award you can have.

sierrafox said:

Then it states the LCWRA information saying suicidal thoughts etc and how I’m not caring for myself or motivated etc to do things that require doing.

Sounds like activity 11. Initiating and completing personal action (which means planning, organisation, problem solving, prioritising or switching tasks).
Cannot, due to impaired mental function, reliably initiate or complete at least 2 sequential personal actions.

Which qualifies you for LCWRA.

sierrafox said:

Is this still
majority or days?

Yes, the majority of the time applies to this too.

bluefox

I’m a bit disappointed the decision maker hasn’t thought about substantial risk because if I improve I could be bombarded with work coach activities.

That said, I still have absolute no idea how I fitted that descriptor tbh. Maybe it’s the severe depression and anxiety.

Is there no getting about descriptor for ESA?

calcotti

sierrafox said:

I’m a bit disappointed the decision maker hasn’t thought about substantial risk because if I improve I could be bombarded with work coach activities.

It makes no difference to your award or what you will be expected to do. You have been found to have LCWRA - makes no difference on what basis.

bluefox

calcotti said:

sierrafox said:

I’m a bit disappointed the decision maker hasn’t thought about substantial risk because if I improve I could be bombarded with work coach activities.

It makes no difference to your award or what you will be expected to do. You have been found to have LCWRA - makes no difference on what basis.

But what if my conditions hadn’t met any of the descriptors? Then I would have been LCW. Is that correct?

I thought “going out” was one of the descriptors?

I’ve also been told that ESA isn’t about the majority of the time like PIP

poppy123456

Substantial risk is only considered if none of the other descriptors apply.

sierrafox said:

Is there no getting about descriptor for ESA?

Yes, mobilising but this would only apply to someone with physical conditions.

You're causing yourself more anxiety by constantly thinking about this. I'd advise you to put everything away and do something else for the evening. There's really nothing more to add than has already been said.