UC Limited Capability to work

epiphonedot

Hi,

I’m looking for advice on claiming UC with Limited Capability to work.

To cut a long story short, I’m in my early 30s, and excluding a previous monthly leaflet delivery job, have never worked.

I am effectively a recluse, and the only people I interact with are my parents and elderly grandmother. 

I’m becoming increasingly concerned what is to happen when I no longer have my parents to support me, and also what I’ll be entitled to when I reach pension age, having paid no national insurance.

I am guessing my first step is to go the doctors and explain my situation, and how I have extreme anxiety, but just the thought of that is causing me stress. I haven’t seen a GP in over 20 years.

I’m guessing the process of work capability assessments isn’t going to be easy, but given my circumstances, I would surely have a high chance of being awarded the limited capability to work?

Rubyroobs

Yes you could claim Universal credit but would need to submit sick notes to UC in order to start the work capability process. Until you have been assessed for work capability you may still need to go to some interviews with a work coach. If you cannot manage that then you would need to ask for phone appointments. To be awarded LCW or LCWRA you would really need to show you were having some help for your mental health, possibly be on medication or having therapy, preferably from specialists. If you can submit medical evidence then you stand more chance of being awarded it. 

Muttleythefrog

My advice would be to study the criteria for the WCA carefully and honestly reflect on what applies to you and therefore whether you should qualify. Theoretical qualification and actually getting award are somewhat disjointed in a system that can be hit and miss.

First step yes claiming U/C and contacting GP... you will need to get 'fit notes' to start the process of claiming on grounds you are not fit for work.

Also look at PIP... the disability benefit... if not already getting. Personal Independence Payments are not means tested and can be gotten in or out of work. The CAB website has excellent guidance and the criteria... again honestly appraise yourself against the criteria to see if you think you should qualify.

We're not meant to give medical advice on here but this is signposting. Increasingly GP practices are looking to help patients with social prescriptions... some areas of country are far better than others. The idea is they can help people with various ailments from being overweight to lacking social engagement and ultimately therefore save the NHS money long term and improve patient outcomes. Social prescriptions if available can involve things like walks, runs, social events, local gardening activities, help getting free or reduced sports related activities and GP surgery may have information/availability for such that could be relevant to you... so do ask if you think could be helpful. 

epiphonedot

Thanks for the responses.

It’s very hard to know what to do, as I’m not sure how easy I’ll find speaking with a GP or ‘work coach’ myself.

I have looked at the criteria for both PIP and UC, I think on the point of interacting with other people I should get maximum points. 

Surely the fact I’ve never been employed would be taken in to consideration?

poppy12345

If you've never claimed any benefits how have you been supporting yourself? 

epiphonedot said:

Surely the fact I’ve never been employed would be taken in to consideration?

Unfortunately not, that isn't going to help you be found to have either LCW or LCWRA. 

Muttleythefrog

epiphonedot said:

Thanks for the responses.

It’s very hard to know what to do, as I’m not sure how easy I’ll find speaking with a GP or ‘work coach’ myself.

I have looked at the criteria for both PIP and UC, I think on the point of interacting with other people I should get maximum points. 

Surely the fact I’ve never been employed would be taken in to consideration?

Not really.... that in itself is not really relevant and indeed many people who have never worked are fit to do so.

NedS

Muttleythefrog said:

epiphonedot said:

Thanks for the responses.

It’s very hard to know what to do, as I’m not sure how easy I’ll find speaking with a GP or ‘work coach’ myself.

I have looked at the criteria for both PIP and UC, I think on the point of interacting with other people I should get maximum points. 

Surely the fact I’ve never been employed would be taken in to consideration?

Not really.... that in itself is not really relevant and indeed many people who have never worked are fit to do so.

What may be relevant is why you've never worked. Focus on how your health condition affects you giving examples of what you are able/unable to do because of them.

Alice_Holt

epiphonedot said:

Surely the fact I’ve never been employed would be taken in to consideration?

      More important for both PIP & WCA assessments is the treatment in place to address the health problem.

  If you are not prescribed medication / therapy, then the assessor is likely to assume that the condition is not sufficiently severe

epiphonedot

Muttleythefrog said:

epiphonedot said:

Thanks for the responses.

It’s very hard to know what to do, as I’m not sure how easy I’ll find speaking with a GP or ‘work coach’ myself.

I have looked at the criteria for both PIP and UC, I think on the point of interacting with other people I should get maximum points. 

Surely the fact I’ve never been employed would be taken in to consideration?

Not really.... that in itself is not really relevant and indeed many people who have never worked are fit to do so.

But surely it’s unusual for someone like myself, a man in his 30s to have never properly worked? 

I have genuinely had no social contact with anyone in my life but my family.

Spoonie_Turtle

epiphonedot said:

Muttleythefrog said:

epiphonedot said:

Thanks for the responses.

It’s very hard to know what to do, as I’m not sure how easy I’ll find speaking with a GP or ‘work coach’ myself.

I have looked at the criteria for both PIP and UC, I think on the point of interacting with other people I should get maximum points. 

Surely the fact I’ve never been employed would be taken in to consideration?

Not really.... that in itself is not really relevant and indeed many people who have never worked are fit to do so.

But surely it’s unusual for someone like myself, a man in his 30s to have never properly worked? 

I have genuinely had no social contact with anyone in my life but my family.

Unusual, maybe, but irrelevant to the assessment if it's simply because you've chosen to do that. 

It's only relevant to them if it's because of your health conditions (and in that case having no other social contact can add weight to your claim, but you do need to demonstrate it was because of a health condition and not just because you're 'eccentric' or any other word along those lines).

Alice_Holt

epiphonedot said:

Muttleythefrog said:

epiphonedot said:

Thanks for the responses.

It’s very hard to know what to do, as I’m not sure how easy I’ll find speaking with a GP or ‘work coach’ myself.

I have looked at the criteria for both PIP and UC, I think on the point of interacting with other people I should get maximum points. 

Surely the fact I’ve never been employed would be taken in to consideration?

Not really.... that in itself is not really relevant and indeed many people who have never worked are fit to do so.

But surely it’s unusual for someone like myself, a man in his 30s to have never properly worked? 

I have genuinely had no social contact with anyone in my life but my family.

      That would rather depend on whether that's by preference or a consequence of a health condition.  If the latter then it helps to have the condition confirmed in your medical records, and any benefits assessment will look at the impact on your day to day after any relevant medical treatment. 

     Not having worked will not automatically qualify you for disability benefits.

   The first step (IMO) is to seek medical help, and engage with your GP.