What’s happening with Work Capability Assessments?

confusednewt
confusednewt Online Community Member Posts: 27 Connected
edited September 2022 in Universal Credit (UC)
Hiya,

Pre context, I’m disabled and have various complex MH conditions which allow me access to PIP. I am also on Universal Credit. I previously had limited capability to work, and had my assessment wayyyyyy back before lockdown.

I found the process very easy/quick compared to PIP and was approved and received the extra £ increment within my Universal Credit.

I sent my application back now in March. I’ve contacted UC so many times, including having various case managers look at my account and I still have not been told what’s happening with my work capability assessment, when it’ll be re-assessed etc.

I’ve now had my disability based work coach from UC removed without choice or being told, and been given a standard work coach who is trying to increase my commitments and activity - even though I’m heavily disabled and in no fit state emotionally or physically to work. 

They now told me all Work capability assessments have been suspended?! Even though they said it’s all on the phone as people are working from home. I’m so confused. This award really helped my financially be able to maintain my health and disabilities, and I’m struggling without it. I’ve asked this new man again to please investigate my case but he doesn’t seem bothered at all, and is just trying to get me to work which I haven’t been able to do for years!

what do/can I do and who can I contact?
equally, if anyone has recently or soon due to have a work capability assessment or re-assessment please share your experiences it would be so helpful. Also if they can be contacted directly or I can complain that info would help to, as I’ve waited 7 months now 😩

Thankyou,
- Newt 

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,458 Championing
    Are you saying that you were found to have LCWRA and your money stopped? Did your UC claim end for any reason?
    LCWRA is an ongoing award until a new decision says otherwise and it should not have stopped.
    Work capability assessments for new claims are not suspended, they were for a few months before lockdown but they started back up quite sometime ago.
    Reviews were suspended for a long time but i haven't had any official confirmation that they've started back up for reviews.
    Assessments for new claims are either face to face at an assessment centre, telephone or video call.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 174 Listener
    edited September 2022
    Your claim would carry on until you are reviewed in the future. Your payment shouldn't have been reduced or stopped. Lots of people haven't had reassessments in years, but still get full payment and componants.
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    Another really insightful and supportive thread! Thanks everyone for contributing to this supportive and friendly space.

    @confusednewt How are you feeling about things at the moment? We are here for you if you need any further clarification or support  :)
  • confusednewt
    confusednewt Online Community Member Posts: 27 Connected
    poppy123456 said:
    Are you saying that you were found to have LCWRA and your money stopped? Did your UC claim end for any reason?
    LCWRA is an ongoing award until a new decision says otherwise and it should not have stopped.
    Work capability assessments for new claims are not suspended, they were for a few months before lockdown but they started back up quite sometime ago.
    Reviews were suspended for a long time but i haven't had any official confirmation that they've started back up for reviews.
    Assessments for new claims are either face to face at an assessment centre, telephone or video call.
    Hi Poppy, thankyou so much for your message.
    Yes, so I was awarded LCWRA after attending a physical assessment before lockdown, and then when I moved house (and county) they are now saying I do not having limited capability anymore because my claim expired in lockdown and I was due re-assessment?  But I was never contacted or told of this I just realised that money stopped going in whilst the rest of my uc claim has continued.

    when I called uc I managed to get a really nice lady who said that I could be owed thousands if it’s backdated, but my current “normal” work coach is now in the normal kind of job seeking group, which I’m not and he doesn’t seem interested in trying to find out what’s going on with my case after reapplying in march. What’s most confusing is the sheer amount of evidence and medical letters that were sent with it alone, should’ve been enough to just get given an appointment from what I’ve heard others submit.
  • confusednewt
    confusednewt Online Community Member Posts: 27 Connected
    KerryBemmy said:
    Your claim would carry on until you are reviewed in the future. Your payment shouldn't have been reduced or stopped. Lots of people haven't had reassessments in years, but still get full payment and componants.
    Hi Kerry, thankyou for sharing this. It is so strange that mine has been stopped then, I will try and call the central hub today and see what is going on as it’s so much money now that I’ve missed out on :(
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,458 Championing
    Put a message on your journal under the payment section and tell them that you were found to have LCWRA and this shouldn’t have stopped because it doesn’t have an end date like PIP does. 
    You can also contact your local MP and tell them what’s happened. They will hopefully contact UC on your behalf to get your payments up and running and to pay you what they owe you. https://www.parliament.uk/about/contacting/mp/
    Moving house should have just been a simple change of address. 

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