Welfare rights / CAB / am I missing something ??
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anxiousbird
Community member Posts: 165 Pioneering
hi all
So I’ve heard and read a lot about welfare rights officer helping people with their pip / esa applications and appeals. I don’t know how it works and i thought I had to call citizens advice to get the support being spoken about. After long queues, I finally got connected with a local CAB agent and told her I needed help filling in my UC50 form. The lady literally ONLY asked me what medical issues was I suffering with, didn’t even ask me in detail how it affects my daily life etc and said that she’ll send me a letter to attach with my UC50 form. That’s it. So I got her letter and what she’s done is literally only written sort of like a list of keywords under each question that she thought I would score points in. (So for example under something like going out she’s written : anxious, depressed, lack of motivation.. ). Does this seem right? And is this the welfare rights support that people here talk about? If not, where do I access that support from?
So I’ve heard and read a lot about welfare rights officer helping people with their pip / esa applications and appeals. I don’t know how it works and i thought I had to call citizens advice to get the support being spoken about. After long queues, I finally got connected with a local CAB agent and told her I needed help filling in my UC50 form. The lady literally ONLY asked me what medical issues was I suffering with, didn’t even ask me in detail how it affects my daily life etc and said that she’ll send me a letter to attach with my UC50 form. That’s it. So I got her letter and what she’s done is literally only written sort of like a list of keywords under each question that she thought I would score points in. (So for example under something like going out she’s written : anxious, depressed, lack of motivation.. ). Does this seem right? And is this the welfare rights support that people here talk about? If not, where do I access that support from?
Thanks
Comments
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Hi there
Cab is not welfare rights to find your nearest welfare rights just Google welfare rights and it should take you to a website to find your local one -
Hi @anxiousbird - try here to see if there's a welfare rights office near you: https://advicelocal.uk/I hope you find some better help.
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CAB advice is given by volunteers so you're unlikely to find someone with in depth knowledge of PIP there.
UC50 is for Universal Credit though, is that what you're applying for now? -
Thanks all! I’ve sent an email to one of the places that showed on the link posted by chiarieds
@OverlyAnxious I’m currently on PIP MR stage and have recently also received a UC50 form (following a three month sick note) -
Hi guys, so an update. I’ve received a reply from the welfare team at my local council and they say that they don’t fill in forms etc but ‘citizen advice can help’!!Am I doing something wrong or is it possible that there’s no welfare rights support available in my area?!
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anxiousbird said:Hi guys, so an update. I’ve received a reply from the welfare team at my local council and they say that they don’t fill in forms etc but ‘citizen advice can help’!!Am I doing something wrong or is it possible that there’s no welfare rights support available in my area?!
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OverlyAnxious said:anxiousbird said:Hi guys, so an update. I’ve received a reply from the welfare team at my local council and they say that they don’t fill in forms etc but ‘citizen advice can help’!!Am I doing something wrong or is it possible that there’s no welfare rights support available in my area?!
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anxiousbird said:OverlyAnxious said:anxiousbird said:Hi guys, so an update. I’ve received a reply from the welfare team at my local council and they say that they don’t fill in forms etc but ‘citizen advice can help’!!Am I doing something wrong or is it possible that there’s no welfare rights support available in my area?!
When you open the link and put in your post code etc, it should show a map of your area with all of the welfare type services. Some areas seem to have lots of services, others barely any, it's a post code lottery unfortunately.
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OverlyAnxious said:anxiousbird said:OverlyAnxious said:anxiousbird said:Hi guys, so an update. I’ve received a reply from the welfare team at my local council and they say that they don’t fill in forms etc but ‘citizen advice can help’!!Am I doing something wrong or is it possible that there’s no welfare rights support available in my area?!
When you open the link and put in your post code etc, it should show a map of your area with all of the welfare type services. Some areas seem to have lots of services, others barely any, it's a post code lottery unfortunately. -
@anxiousbird yes you are right about the uc50
It is similar to PIP form and you should treat it pretty much the same
Remember though they are looking at it from your ability to work and not daily living like PIP does -
anxiousbird said:OverlyAnxious said:anxiousbird said:OverlyAnxious said:anxiousbird said:Hi guys, so an update. I’ve received a reply from the welfare team at my local council and they say that they don’t fill in forms etc but ‘citizen advice can help’!!Am I doing something wrong or is it possible that there’s no welfare rights support available in my area?!
When you open the link and put in your post code etc, it should show a map of your area with all of the welfare type services. Some areas seem to have lots of services, others barely any, it's a post code lottery unfortunately.
The majority of people will get UC with a LCWRA element for long term health conditions so I'd guess that's what you'll be getting but I'm not sure exactly what your background is regarding previous work etc.
It is difficult without any support, but definitely still possible. -
anxiousbird said: ..This UC50 is also for ESA I think. It’s a form where I tell about my disabilities and then they’ll call me for an assessment n then decide whether to award LCW or LCWRAInformation I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK.
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Username_removed said:Hmm. Citizens Advice are not staffed exclusively by volunteers @OverlyAnxious
. There are many paid staff and you would hope for accurate advice regardless.
@anxiousbird who did you approach at CitA? Was it the UC Help To Claim team or CitA themselves? You are within your rights to go back and explain why you're unhappy with the work done and ask for it to be done properly as you would with any service.Who should I go back to? Shall I call citizens advice again or shall I reply to the person who has sent me the answers for my form? -
calcotti said:anxiousbird said: ..This UC50 is also for ESA I think. It’s a form where I tell about my disabilities and then they’ll call me for an assessment n then decide whether to award LCW or LCWRA
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I needed help with a complex personal benefits issue last year and welfare rights were excellent, all done over the phone due to lockdown but the guy really knew his stuff and gave me a direct number if I needed further advice.
My past dealings with CAB have in all honesty been mixed.2024 The year of the general election...the time for change is coming 💡 -
It depends what benefit you are on are you on esa or uc
The form is the same for both when referring to work capability -
woodbine said:I needed help with a complex personal benefits issue last year and welfare rights were excellent, all done over the phone due to lockdown but the guy really knew his stuff and gave me a direct number if I needed further advice.
My past dealings with CAB have in all honesty been mixed. -
Username_removed said:anxiousbird said:Who should I go back to? Shall I call citizens advice again or shall I reply to the person who has sent me the answers for my form?
Would you be willing to reveal your general geographical area? I may be able to locate services for you. No worries if you're not comfortable doing that. -
2024 The year of the general election...the time for change is coming 💡
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woodbine said:
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