Who decides if you get LCW or LCWRA on UC?

Enigmaman

With my WCA tomorrow I am wondering who is empowered to decide if I have LCW or LCWRA?  

is it just the WCA assessor? But presumably the original assessor who looked at my application for must have made a decision also?

Or can a GP make this judgement on a sick note? And what about a job coach? 

Do I have any right of appeal?

Can I ask for a review?

TIA!

TimeLord1

Basically the medical professional will determine if the client meets the requirements for etc. Yes, you can appeal a decision you don't agree with, but rarely would the decision be changed at that stage.

TimeLord1

Once the WCA is done and you get the outcome, you can request a UC85 report. This will show you the process and statements written.

KxMx

The medical assessor makes a recommendation based on DWP criteria. 
A DWP Decision Maker makes the final decision, but it is rare for them to go against the recommendation. 

Spoonie_Turtle

If you don't agree with the decision you first ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration, then if they don't change it to a decision you agree with, you appeal and take it to tribunal (unless DWP get in contact before the tribunal hearing to offer you a decision you do agree with - I don't know if that happens for WCAs though, I've only heard of it for PIP).

Very much worth understanding the criteria and how it's assessed so that you know which descriptor(s) you should meet so you know whether DWP have got it right or not.

Enigmaman

TimeLord1 said:

Basically the medical professional will determine if the client meets the requirements for etc. Yes, you can appeal a decision you don't agree with, but rarely would the decision be changed at that stage.

That medical professional being a DWP assessor, or your GP also?

Spoonie_Turtle

Enigmaman said:

TimeLord1 said:

Basically the medical professional will determine if the client meets the requirements for etc. Yes, you can appeal a decision you don't agree with, but rarely would the decision be changed at that stage.

That medical professional being a DWP assessor, or your GP also?

As someone else explained, the contracted assessor (who is a medical professional of some sort - physio, nurse, etc.) makes the recommendations and the DWP decision maker usually goes with their report.

Your GP can only provide evidence to include with your form, they don't make the decision for benefits because under the current system that's not their job.