How should I proceed?

Anxious86

Hi everyone, I’m having a rough time at the moment with Universal Credit trying to get LCWRA. I’ve had mental health problems (anxiety and depression) for around 25 years, applied for UC last October and done the Questionnaire and assessment but decision came back fit for work. 

My doctor wasn’t contacted so i got together a report and had a letter from him stating my mental health would most likely deteriorate if i had to search for work. Uploaded all this and an input from myself - decision came back yesterday as unchanged!
 

Been told to speak to a decision maker, as i want to find out if my medical evidence was even taken into consideration. Now I’m no professional but reading it in black and white what would happen with an unchanged decision and ignoring it is very incompetent to say the least.

My anxiety has obviously increased over all of this and have had fit notes detailing this for most of the MR period.
I’m really not happy continuing to go to the iob centre and restart scheme after all this. I’ve been as honest as i can and have complied with things I’ve been asked to do, and now I’ll be expected to look for work which will make me go into a complete panic!

Is is any way i can stop the job centre/restart from pressuring me into it? I’m going to speak with my doctor on Monday and hopefully he can step in. 

Is it best to submit a new health condition as my health has worsened yet again and go down the route of fit notes?

Sorry for the long post, it’s so frustrating and wrong how the system seems to work!

poppy123456

You need to request the Tribunal if the decision on the MR was less than 13 months ago. 

Information here https://www.gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision/submit-appeal
Letters from a GP aren’t the best evidence to send because they very rarely know exactly how your conditions affect you. They very rarely contact anyone for any evidence, the onus is on you to prove you qualify, not theirs.
Do be aware the Tribunal will only take into consideration what your condition was like at the time the assessment took place. Tribunal’s have about 70% success rate if you appear in person or telephone hearing. 
You won’t be able to give another fit note unless it’s for a completely different condition or a significant worsening of a existing condition. 

Going down the change of circumstances route isn’t always the best idea because doing this using the same evidence you previously used will likely see another fit for work decision. You could also be waiting several months for another assessment, providing they accept your fit notes and refer you for another WCA. 

You can get expert advice from an agency near you and they will help you with the appeals process https://advicelocal.uk/

Alex_Alumni

Hello @Anxious86 and thanks for reaching out on the community and explaining what's been happening. I'm sorry to hear that it's added to your stress and anxiety, that must feel really tough going? 

Can you tell me what support your getting at the moment for your mental health? It sounds like you're in regular contact with your GP, is that right?

I hope the reply above has been helpful for you, but if you have further questions or would like more support, please do let us know

Alex