Got my UC Health Assessment tomorrow - anxious - Advice welcomed!

SaitenMar

So tomorrow I'm expecting my UC health assessment phone call and I've been anxious for days now, I can't stop worrying and I've been sick twice. Last assessment I had was for PIP which was an awful experience, one that left me feeling depressed for weeks afterwards because I felt I was treated like utter scum. I'm worried that I'll have a similar experience here. But I really would appreciate if anyone as any advice/tips on how to cope with the anxiety. I already have everything ready for the phone call but I'm really struggled to cope with my anxiety which is running wild on me at the moment.

Doubt I'll get any sleep again tonight, but if anyone as been the health assessment via phone call, I'd greatly appreciate any tips on how to cope.

Spoonie_Turtle

I haven't had one over the phone but from what I hear the WCAs tend to be a bit more reliable than the PIP assessments.  It seems like fewer people have to fight for the correct decision (although I don't have stats to hand to back that up).

For PIP I always say to remember that it's not personal if it goes badly, even though it feels acutely so.  I guess the same applies here.  It's a necessary evil in the process of claiming and ultimately getting what you're entitled to, even if you have to fight for the correct decision.  (But anecdotally, youare less likely to need to fight than for PIP.)

One thing I recently realised is that whether you get a good assessor or bad assessor, nothing you can do or say will change that.  So your job is just to do the best you can* on the day to answer their questions. 
If you get a good assessor they'll take into account what you tell them and what you've written on your form, along with any medical evidence your were able to submit.  If you get an assessor who won't really do any of that, you can't do or say anything to change that.  And I know anxiety isn't this simple, but something to tell yourself - worrying about it won't change what type of assessor you get either.

*doing the best you can means in context, the best YOU are able to do with your disabling conditions and lack of sleep etc. on the day.  The best you can in reality, not a hypothetical best that is impossible under the circumstances.

If you have a copy of the answers you submitted for your form, it's a good idea to read over those.  Remind yourself of which activities are the ones where you should score, those are the ones to focus on.  And then, if you have any kind of hobbies that can distract you, calm you, take your mind off it for even a few minutes, try to do that or anything else that will give your mind a bit of a break.

Also, if you have a sleepless night, remember that resting with your eyes closed still gives your body and brain a bit of a rest; although it's not as good as being able to sleep, it is still more beneficial for you than not laying down to rest at all.

SaitenMar

Spoonie_Turtle said:

I haven't had one over the phone but from what I hear the WCAs tend to be a bit more reliable than the PIP assessments.  It seems like fewer people have to fight for the correct decision (although I don't have stats to hand to back that up).

For PIP I always say to remember that it's not personal if it goes badly, even though it feels acutely so.  I guess the same applies here.  It's a necessary evil in the process of claiming and ultimately getting what you're entitled to, even if you have to fight for the correct decision.  (But anecdotally, youare less likely to need to fight than for PIP.)

One thing I recently realised is that whether you get a good assessor or bad assessor, nothing you can do or say will change that.  So your job is just to do the best you can* on the day to answer their questions. 
If you get a good assessor they'll take into account what you tell them and what you've written on your form, along with any medical evidence your were able to submit.  If you get an assessor who won't really do any of that, you can't do or say anything to change that.  And I know anxiety isn't this simple, but something to tell yourself - worrying about it won't change what type of assessor you get either.

*doing the best you can means in context, the best YOU are able to do with your disabling conditions and lack of sleep etc. on the day.  The best you can in reality, not a hypothetical best that is impossible under the circumstances.

If you have a copy of the answers you submitted for your form, it's a good idea to read over those.  Remind yourself of which activities are the ones where you should score, those are the ones to focus on.  And then, if you have any kind of hobbies that can distract you, calm you, take your mind off it for even a few minutes, try to do that or anything else that will give your mind a bit of a break.

Also, if you have a sleepless night, remember that resting with your eyes closed still gives your body and brain a bit of a rest; although it's not as good as being able to sleep, it is still more beneficial for you than not laying down to rest at all.

Thanks Spoonie_Turtle. You've provided me with some great advice on a number of issues and I really appreciate it. I have already made notes of what I want to say and try to get across to them in the assessment. I have also looked at a load of guides, etc for advice. But it doesn't stop the anxiety running wild. I'll try to get some sleep tonight but it will be difficult. 

Thanks again for such helpful advice, really appreciate that. 

SaitenMar

Just completed my UC Health Assessment via phone. They rang about half an hour early but they did contact me to ask if I was willing to have the appointment early. I was a nervous wreck on the phone but I have to say, the assessor was lovely. She wasn't sharp or nasty with me like the assessor I had for PIP and the questions she asked were a lot clearer. So that calmed my nerves a little. She focused more on my mobility issues rather than my anxiety or depression but I can understand that because she said she believed that to be the main issue right now. 

Phone call lasted about half an hour and now all I can do is wait. Even if it doesn't work out, it's at least nice to have a better experience this time round. 

SaitenMar

Hi everyone, just a quick update. 

Had a message today with an attached letter informing me that after my assessment that they have decided I have limited capability for work and work-related activity. I didn't expect to hear back from them so quickly, having only had my assessment last week. Now I'm trying to figure out what it all means and what's required. It seems I don't have to provide anymore fit notes according to the letter either. 

One quick question I did have, is if I'll need to go through the assessment program every year or not? How does this work?

Thanks for all the help. 

born_again

Mrs is on LCWRA & has not been reassessed since 2022.

Spoonie_Turtle

Excellent news.

In theory they *can* reassess you at any time (after 3 months?).  In reality, they'll likely reassess you whenever they get to you in however many years' time. 
My WCA was in Jan 2020 and so far not heard from them again.  My aunt as an extreme outlier hasn't been reassessed since her first WCA for ESA in 2013.  I don't think any of us can hope to be left alone for quite that long, but her case does demonstrate that LCWRA really is ongoing and only changes if/when the outcome of any reassessment is different.  It's not like PIP with a defined end date.

What it means is you'll be entitled to extra money from the fourth full assessment period after reporting your health condition.  The only requirements for now are to update UC with any relevant changes (change of address, whether you come into a chunk of money that takes savings above £6,000, leaving or gaining a partner, etc.), and check your journal periodically just in case there's anything for you to do, like the financial and ID reviews they're currently doing.

Muttleythefrog

SaitenMar said:

Hi everyone, just a quick update. 

Had a message today with an attached letter informing me that after my assessment that they have decided I have limited capability for work and work-related activity. I didn't expect to hear back from them so quickly, having only had my assessment last week. Now I'm trying to figure out what it all means and what's required. It seems I don't have to provide anymore fit notes according to the letter either. 

One quick question I did have, is if I'll need to go through the assessment program every year or not? How does this work?

Thanks for all the help. 

Advice as above... open ended award which historically would have been reviewed at maximum every 3 years but chaos in system.... and now the government intents to get rid of the WCA and qualification thereafter would be driven by PIP awards in relation to a new 'health element' as they shift to single assessment. That is some way off however... possible may never get another assessment.

Spoonie_Turtle

Muttleythefrog said:

SaitenMar said:

Hi everyone, just a quick update. 

Had a message today with an attached letter informing me that after my assessment that they have decided I have limited capability for work and work-related activity. I didn't expect to hear back from them so quickly, having only had my assessment last week. Now I'm trying to figure out what it all means and what's required. It seems I don't have to provide anymore fit notes according to the letter either. 

One quick question I did have, is if I'll need to go through the assessment program every year or not? How does this work?

Thanks for all the help. 

Advice as above... open ended award which historically would have been reviewed at maximum every 3 years but chaos in system.... and now the government intents to get rid of the WCA and qualification thereafter would be driven by PIP awards in relation to a new 'health element' as they shift to single assessment. That is some way off however... possible may never get another assessment.

It was my understanding that they do want to reassess us all before scrapping the WCA?

Would dearly love to have misunderstood that, though!  (The nature of my condition means I personally would be more worried about a WCA reassessment than a PIP review, to be honest.)

Muttleythefrog

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Muttleythefrog said:

SaitenMar said:

Hi everyone, just a quick update. 

Had a message today with an attached letter informing me that after my assessment that they have decided I have limited capability for work and work-related activity. I didn't expect to hear back from them so quickly, having only had my assessment last week. Now I'm trying to figure out what it all means and what's required. It seems I don't have to provide anymore fit notes according to the letter either. 

One quick question I did have, is if I'll need to go through the assessment program every year or not? How does this work?

Thanks for all the help. 

Advice as above... open ended award which historically would have been reviewed at maximum every 3 years but chaos in system.... and now the government intents to get rid of the WCA and qualification thereafter would be driven by PIP awards in relation to a new 'health element' as they shift to single assessment. That is some way off however... possible may never get another assessment.

It was my understanding that they do want to reassess us all before scrapping the WCA?

Would dearly love to have misunderstood that, though!  (The nature of my condition means I personally would be more worried about a WCA reassessment than a PIP review, to be honest.)

It's fairly grey and subject to change I'd say but focus looks likely on those with reported changes or who have Substantial Risk eligibility or who have short term issues.

The OBR documents show that from 2026, when the DWP will 'restart' WCA reassessments, they will likely target people in the LCWRA group because of the 'substantial risk' criteria, alongside those whose conditions are short-term and likely to have changed, e.g. cancer and pregnancy. 
https://disabilitypositive.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GREEN-PAPER-JUNE-VOTE-PLAIN-ENGLISH-EXPLAINER.pdf