A lot of discomfort in legs since I broke one and fractured the other shall I ask to be reassessed?

dekaspace1

I work part time and have done so for almost 7 years, it overwhelms me more and more as workload increases year by year due to cutbacks, wage is reasonable and I get UC with ESA work related rate on top of that.

Last year I smashed my leg so bad I was in hospital 2 weeks and was off work for over 3 months, was given more time off by GP but told by employer the higher ups would lay me off if I took more time off.

Had physio until May this year and was able to walk without a limp again then literally the day later broke my ankle in a fall and whilst I was technically able to be signed off I have already got in trouble for having 3 sick days (outside of my leg break)

When I stand up now I have to hold onto something or at very least roll myself up rather than just stand, and I get regular leg cramps.

Without my stick I get exhausted easily walking, don't mean out of breath but it's like my legs feel I have been at the gym for a hour or two on treadmill when I may of just walked around a few shops.

I have a metal rod and plates in one of my legs now and get discomfort from them a lot.

I haven't been called for an assessment in 6 years, did get a form last year I had to fill in but never heard back, just worried if I ask for a reassessment I may fail.

Brie

definitely get reassessed by your doctor.  is your employer making any adjustments to enable you to continue working?  i.e. if work involves standing they should provide a chair suitable for the role. 

Have you applied for PIP?  That would be paid in addition to UC I believe.  

meanwhile - when I had a knee replacement if was suggested I take vit D and calcium to aid the healing.  

dekaspace1

I get what DLA is called now, I am in Scotland and got a letter recently saying its name has changed both at lower rate.

EDIT - And employer did give me an expensive chair and lets me take extra breaks if needed, and originally let me work from home more as those days really exhaust me but now want me in more.

As I am part time its at least 1 day per week and 2 days at least once per month, on top of other issues (I was on diabetic medication until a year ago until my blood sugar improved and went cold turkey after despite me saying I thought it better to continue on it) I get very weak on work days to point I feel physically weak like a mini hypo

KxMx

Which benefit was your review form for? 

dekaspace1

It was for the ESA side of it because I had to put in health related answers, I panicked at time as it came just before Christmas and didn't get a chance to have someone help fill it and worried about Christmas post (this was close to 2 years ago now at this point) I never heard back afterwards.

KxMx

When you receive both UC & ESA you have one work capability assessment process (under UC) for both benefits, with the result applying to both also. 

There are mega long waits for LCW (or WRAG if you prefer) reassessments, so odds are your review is still in progress.

You can enquire directly with the health assessment agency:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-your-health-assessment-provider

dekaspace1

Thanks, either way not sure I should flag my issues or not as I can get by though harder than I used to.

Spoonie_Turtle

Before doing anything, see if you now fit the criteria for a higher rate than you did before.  Because if you don't then any effort trying to get reassessed would be a waste if you still qualify for the same level as before.

dekaspace1

That was what I was thinking, whilst I am struggling more it might count as not getting a higher award as I had surgery to "fix" the issue.

Spoonie_Turtle

dekaspace1 said:

That was what I was thinking, whilst I am struggling more it might count as not getting a higher award as I had surgery to "fix" the issue.

That doesn't really matter by itself, it's about how your disabilities affect you and your ability to do the activities the benefit assesses.