I've been awarded LCWRA. If I was to apply for new style ESA would I need to have another WCA?

MrsBrown77
MrsBrown77 Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
edited November 2021 in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Hi, I recently had a telephone assessment for what I thought was ESA following my having to resign from work on health grounds. I was found to have LCWRA but have since realised, this assessment was for UC and not ESA - if I was to apply for new style ESA, would I need to have another WCA or would they use the information they already have?  Thank you

Comments

  • Ross_Alumni
    Ross_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,611 Championing
    Hello @MrsBrown77 and welcome to the community, how are you? 

    Sorry to hear of the situation you are in, it sounds like it must have been quite confusing to find out you weren't being assessed for what you thought you were. 

    I just wanted to let you know that I have tagged your post as unanswered, and hopefully other users will be able to reply to you.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,456 Championing
    You only need to have one work capability assessment when claiming both of these benefits. As you were found to have LCWRA then this is the Support Group for ESA. They may not share information so you may need to tell ESA what the decision was.
  • MrsBrown77
    MrsBrown77 Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
    poppy123456 said:
    You only need to have one work capability assessment when claiming both of these benefits. As you were found to have LCWRA then this is the Support Group for ESA. They may not share information so you may need to tell ESA what the decision was.
    Thank you! I'm finding the whole benefit process very confusing and asking for help gets a reaction like I've asked for the crown jewels! I was under the assumption that the form I filled in was for ESA as I was handing in sick notes for the last few months of being employed, read I could apply for this 3 months prior to leaving and as the assessment was after I left, I thought it was for ESA in part to replace the SSP I received. I understand that if I claim ESA it will be taken from my UC however, as it is paid fortnightly, this would be better for me and budgeting. Would I need to fill in another form about how my health affects me? or do you know if there is somewhere within the application to indicate I have already had a WCA recently? I will not apply if I have to have another of these assessments, I would NOT be able to cope with another. 
    Thank you for your advice, I appreciate your help. 
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,000 Championing
    MrsBrown77 said: Would I need to fill in another form about how my health affects me? or do you know if there is somewhere within the application to indicate I have already had a WCA recently? I will not apply if I have to have another of these assessments, I would NOT be able to cope with another. 
    As already advised
    poppy123456 said:
    You only need to have one work capability assessment when claiming both of these benefits. As you were found to have LCWRA then this is the Support Group for ESA. They may not share information so you may need to tell ESA what the decision was.

  • babycham1271
    babycham1271 Online Community Member Posts: 9 Listener
    whats LCWRA pls ? 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,456 Championing
    babycham1271 said:
    whats LCWRA pls ? 

    It's an element of Universal Credit that people have awarded if they have a health condition that limits their capability for work. Exactly the same as ESA Support Group.

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