Working 16 hours down to 12

kazzyd_2

NedS said:

kazzyd_2 said:

poppy12345 said:

There's a guide here to help complete the form. Although it says ESA the form for UC is exactly the same. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/fill-in-form-esa/

You need to make sure you send evidence with the form to support your claim because they rarely contact anyone for any evidence. Also make sure they receive the form back by the date on the letter.

Thank you Poppy.
What evidence? I don't have any, all I have is a fit note stating what is wrong with me.

Maybe you can get evidence from your GP - a printout summary of your medical conditions, list of prescription medications, copies of any letters of referral to consultants. Going forward you should start to collect evidence - always keep letters for any medical appointments, scans, tests, consultant visits etc, and ask the consultant to copy you in when writing to the GP etc. It all helps.

poppy12345 said:

A fit note is not classed as evidence. The same for future appointment letters. You can also include a couple of real world incidents of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each descriptor that applies to you. Adding detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were.

Some people find it helpful to ask someone that knows them well if they can write a letter of support. Make sure they include detailed information about how your conditions affect you.

Remember, you will be assessed on your capability to do any type of work.

Thanks both of you. Seems a lot like PIP ( I know it's not though) that really stressed me out.
I can get a summary from the GP and also someone close to write me a letter.
There's nothing else though, no hospital appointments or anything. Only one I have is a letter for a hospital appointment for blood tests next week but that's only for chronic cough which isn't anything serious anyway. 
I shall get those other things sorted though.

kazzyd_2

So I can't seem to get anyone to help me with the UC50. The place who supported my PIP Appeal aren't giving appointments and the CAB have not been very helpful to my mum and daughter with their PIP appeals so I don't really want to go there.

So I am going to attempt it myself. I had a look a the descriptors and reckon I should hopefully be able to make the 15 points, especially with the sitting and standing.
I also now understand the difference between LCW & LCWRA. To be honest, I doubt I'd make LCWRA as I already work but I'd be quite happy with LCW.

So, just to be clear, I put down all my health conditions, even if they don't really affect my work? I provide any evidence I can and I try to list examples. I'm currently just jotting this down on a word document as I don't want to tackle the form til I know exactly what I'm doing.

calcotti

kazzyd_2 said:

I'm currently just jotting this down on a word document as I don't want to tackle the form til I know exactly what I'm doing.

You can provide your answers as a print out of your word document and attach it to the form rather than write in the form if you prefer. Just write ‘see attached notes’ in the spaces on the form.

kazzyd_2

calcotti said:

kazzyd_2 said:

I'm currently just jotting this down on a word document as I don't want to tackle the form til I know exactly what I'm doing.

You can provide your answers as a print out of your word document and attach it to the form rather than write in the form if you prefer. Just write ‘see attached notes’ in the spaces on the form.

Oh thank you for that, that would be so much better.

Spoonie_Turtle

kazzyd_2 said:

So I am going to attempt it myself. I had a look a the descriptors and reckon I should hopefully be able to make the 15 points, especially with the sitting and standing.
I also now understand the difference between LCW & LCWRA. To be honest, I doubt I'd make LCWRA as I already work but I'd be quite happy with LCW.

In a way this can go in your favour, if you have accommodations at work which would be evidence supporting what you are saying about your health.

Remember it's based on what you repeatedly, reliably, and safely can do - so for example, sitting or standing for half an hour once doesn't count if you then can't do it again for hours because of pain or fatigue.
https://wcainfo.net/issues/majority-of-time-always

kazzyd_2

Spoonie_Turtle said:

kazzyd_2 said:

So I am going to attempt it myself. I had a look a the descriptors and reckon I should hopefully be able to make the 15 points, especially with the sitting and standing.
I also now understand the difference between LCW & LCWRA. To be honest, I doubt I'd make LCWRA as I already work but I'd be quite happy with LCW.

In a way this can go in your favour, if you have accommodations at work which would be evidence supporting what you are saying about your health.

Remember it's based on what you repeatedly, reliably, and safely can do - so for example, sitting or standing for half an hour once doesn't count if you then can't do it again for hours because of pain or fatigue.
https://wcainfo.net/issues/majority-of-time-always

There's nothing in place at work for me. I work in a supermarket, 6 tills but only one with a chair. This is usually reserved for the older staff and ones with worse conditions than me. 
I am being referred to OH at work but not sure why because I have to be on my feet, there's no other option. The only thing I've agreed with my manager is that I won't stand a till for longer than 30 minutes, I just can't do it. Sometimes though it's just not possible. 

Robbie64

Is there a reason why a second chair can't be provided by the employer?

Spoonie_Turtle

kazzyd_2 said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

kazzyd_2 said:

So I am going to attempt it myself. I had a look a the descriptors and reckon I should hopefully be able to make the 15 points, especially with the sitting and standing.
I also now understand the difference between LCW & LCWRA. To be honest, I doubt I'd make LCWRA as I already work but I'd be quite happy with LCW.

In a way this can go in your favour, if you have accommodations at work which would be evidence supporting what you are saying about your health.

Remember it's based on what you repeatedly, reliably, and safely can do - so for example, sitting or standing for half an hour once doesn't count if you then can't do it again for hours because of pain or fatigue.
https://wcainfo.net/issues/majority-of-time-always

There's nothing in place at work for me. I work in a supermarket, 6 tills but only one with a chair. This is usually reserved for the older staff and ones with worse conditions than me. 
I am being referred to OH at work but not sure why because I have to be on my feet, there's no other option. The only thing I've agreed with my manager is that I won't stand a till for longer than 30 minutes, I just can't do it. Sometimes though it's just not possible. 

Fair enough.  Would sitting on a chair enable you to stay at the till?  That's good they're referring you to OH; either way the difficulties you're having are evidence, even if not for LCWRA. 
[My comment was mainly because working doesn't necessarily preclude a LCWRA determination, but obviously depends on individual circumstances.]

Do be aware that the standing/sitting activity looks at a combination of standing/sitting if need be, and mobilising (if it's relevant to you) includes using a manual wheelchair, not just walking.  

kazzyd_2

Robbie64 said:

Is there a reason why a second chair can't be provided by the employer?

It's a modernised store. Its chairs that are fixed to the floor. They took them all away when it was modernised. People with worse conditions than me have went through OH and no matter what, the chairs are definitely not coming back.

Spoonie_Turtle

kazzyd_2 said:

Robbie64 said:

Is there a reason why a second chair can't be provided by the employer?

It's a modernised store. Its chairs that are fixed to the floor. They took them all away when it was modernised. People with worse conditions than me have went through OH and no matter what, the chairs are definitely not coming back.

Ridiculous.  Sounds like they're failing their duty to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act.