Work Capability Assessment

clareaj

Hi, I have been trying to help my brother, who is on Universal Credit after losing his job during Covid, to have his status changed to Limited Capability for Work. He had a telephone assessment in June. His application was turned down in October, and I asked for an explanation of their decision, followed by another request to reconsider the decision. We are now I believe, waiting for a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice which we were told would take a long time. It's a daunting process but I feel compelled to see it through. I wrote that I felt a telephone assessment is an inadequate form of evaluation in my brother's case. I asked for a face to face assessment but it's unclear as to whether this is happening. I was sure that in a face to face with my brother they would recognise how much he struggles with ordinary things.

He is now 60, was born with mild cerebral palsy and slight learning disability. He has been suffering from seizures which occur randomly and apparently under stress, and since the assessment in June has developed pain in his hips which has been diagnosed as Osteopenia. This doesn't sound so serious, but it is more serious for someone with cerebral palsy I feel. Some mornings he cannot leave the flat. I have a good relationship with my brother's GP (I am the main carer) and he comes across as supportive (yay!) but he still doesn't get that my brother has cerebral palsy ie. he hasn't put all the symptons (startle reflex, hand tremor, seizures - and plenty more) together to create the whole picture, he treats the symptons individually. This is the problem - my brother was never diagnosed as a child and no GP so far has put two and two together. I feel I have to continue to challenge their assessment decision, but I do worry about stressing my brother with all this. (He does receive Personal Independence Payments).

Thank you for letting me sound off!  

Tori_Scope

Hi @clareaj How are you doing today? 

It sounds like you and your brother have been through it a bit! I hope that the MR goes your way. If not, there are further opportunities to challenge the decision. You can read about those on on the Citizens Advice website.

How did you find the MR process? 

In the meantime, has he been coping with his work commitments okay? 

Richard_Scope

Hi @clareaj
There is also something called Post-Impairment Syndrome that is related to CP this refers to additional conditions that might be acquired by someone already living with CP. Here is an excellent blog post about it:  
What Post-Impairment Syndrome Means to Me  
What I would advise is that you book an appointment with you your brother's G.P. (telephone appointments will work too) and talk to them about how your brother's CP may have changed. Get a referral to a neurologist or neuro-physiotherapist. You can mention the CP Care Pathway which instructs G.P.s how and when to refer.  
 

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @clareaj

How have you been? You are always welcome to "sound off" here  

I've seen Tori and Richard from our team have given some great advice and thought to ask how the situation with your brother is going? Have you been able to get any additional help / support?