Universal Credit WCA Telephone Assessment Advice

Annie2347

Hello,

I would be grateful for some advice again please. 

I have a few threads on my son’s universal credit application. He has his work capability telephone assessment tomorrow. 

He has severe anxiety and can’t talk on the phone without severe distress and panic. I phoned the health assessment phone number on Monday to advise that I will need to talk on my son’s behalf and asked for the assessment to be recorded. The woman I spoke with said she would email this information to the relevant people.

I would be grateful for any advice how to get through the assessment, what to say,  and is it ok if I speak on my son’s behalf? 

Thank you for your help

huckster

You will have to wait to see what happens. If there is not enough information with the WCA form you sent back from health professionals to confirm details of the severe anxiety, the assessor tomorrow may decide that they cannot complete the assessment. And they may refer for a face to face assessment to be arranged.

The assessor is likely to  try to get you to encourage your Son to speak and attempt to answer questions.  And see how this works.  I don't think the assessor will be able to complete their assessment report with you representing your Son, unless you have already provided information from health professionals and therefore they are mostly seeking to clarify by asking questions.

Annie2347

Thank you for your help.