UC and ESA applications confusion

pistonbroke1

Having now had to give up work due to my epilepsy I recently made application for UC and also for ESA.  I understand its not unusual but failed to receive either of the promised phone calls min respect of each! Eventually, received a call from UC to be told that it had been granted, check later on my journal for details. No request for any docs or medical proofs.  Same applied a week later in respect of ESA. Briefly told that it had been granted and to wait for letter.  Again, no request for submission of any form of medical reports etc. although I am submitting Fit notes.  No discussion about which category or signing up to any form of commitment.  Seems very strange and cant really believe its been as easy as this!  Obviously Ill wait till |I receive further correspondence etc but is this not unusual?  or can I expect further complications and questions.  Thanks all!

Newcad

It sounds possible if a bit unusual.
You have informed them that you now have a condition that limits your capability for work and sent in Fit Notes, so they treated you accordingly as LCW.

You now seem to be saying that they have allocated you to a group on paperwork only, without the need for any assessment. Did you get and fill in a UC50 questionaire?

They can, and do, make decisions about Limited Capability awards on paperwork if the case is clear enough.
It's rare but they can even make such decisions without sending out a UC50.

You will need to wait for confirmation of course, but I suspect that if any award has been made then it will be for LCW and not LCWRA.
LCW means that you won't have to look for or apply for jobs, but there is no extra money. (You would only get extra money with LCWRA).

It is difficult to get LCWRA for epilepsy, or any similar condition that affects 'Conciousness'.
(There is no LCWRA descriptor for 'Unconciousness').
You can score the maximum 16 points for the LCW 'Unconciousness' descriptor, but can only get to LCWRA if your seizures pose a 'Substantial risk of harm to yourself or to others' if you were made to do Work Related Activities.
That "Substantial" is difficult to prove.
(I've had LCW for 'unconciousness' for the past 14 years, I live alone and going unconcious could pose a risk, but apparently the DWP do not consider it to be 'substantial').

pistonbroke1

Thanks Newcad for your prompt response.  No, I have not had to complete UC50 form, which in itelf seems strange and reference to my medical condition has only been mentioned in the application forms and the Fit notes!

Spoonie_Turtle

What do your UC commitments say?

[I was going to ask if you'd reached pension age (so if you claim a qualifying disability benefit you're automatically treated as having LCW) but since you're claiming ESA that can't be it.]

Robbie64

You'll receive a UC50 at some point, probably quite soon. You don't need to have a work capability assessment prior to receiving ESA or UC on the grounds of illness but you will have to have one at some point.

pistonbroke1

Thanks all

Newcad

pistonbroke1 said:

Thanks Newcad for your prompt response.  No, I have not had to complete UC50 form, which in itelf seems strange and reference to my medical condition has only been mentioned in the application forms and the Fit notes!

From that then I think that you have simply misunderstood what you have been told, and about how the process of the UC 'Health Journey' works.

• You report a health condition that limits your capability for work, and start sending Fit Notes (or other medical evidence).
• The DWP accepts that evidence and "treats" you as if you had beeen awarded LCW. - This appears to be where you are now, you haven't been awarded anything yet but are being 'treated' as if you had been awarded LCW.
• You will be sent a UC50 health questionaire to fill in and send back.
• You will probably later have a Work Capability Assessment, they are usually done over the phone these days.
• After that WCA a DWP Decision Maker will decide if you are LCW, LCWRA, or Fit for Work.
  You will be informed of that decision and told you no longer need to send any further Fit notes.

As long as they are still asking you to provide Fit Notes then you haven't yet been awarded LCW or LCWRA. (or found Fit-for-Work)