How long after face to face should I hear back about Universal Credit?

lennon1972,

If you are talking about the work capability assessment carried about by Maximus on behalf of the DWP, then it shouldn't be too long. It's usually within 2 weeks of your medical, though it can be longer.

I'm assuming that you are already on Universal Credit and getting the standard allowance and anything else you are entitled to, but just not getting any limited capability for work element. If you have only just started on UC, then as Peterpete says, you might want to ask for a short-term advance, but you do have to pay these back so it will reduce your future benefit.

The point of the face to face medical is:

 - to decide what you have to do to get your UC. If you have limited capability for work, you don't have to look for jobs but you may have to go to work-focused interviews and take part in work preparation activity. If you fail the assessment, you have to look for work, although you may still be able to negotiate about your hours & the type of job. If you have limited capability for work-related activity, you don't have to do anything, just keep UC informed of changes of circumstances

 - to decide whether you get anything extra. Assuming you didn't have limited capability for work before (for example, in an ESA claim), then unfortunately you only get extra money if you have limited capability for work-related activity (LCWRA). That is called the LCWRA element.

There are no adult disability elements of UC apart from the LCWRA element (and for people who had limited capability for work before 3rd April 2017, the limited capability for work element).

Hope this helps, and hope you get a decision soon!

Will