Work capability assessment......how long?

Pip_cas1

Hi, i am in receipt of Pip and my partner in receipt of increased UC due to limited capability to work. In July 2025 I returned a UC50 form as I believe i have limited capability to work due my psychological,  cognitive and physical issues. When can I expect a decision to be made?    TIA

Muttleythefrog

Have you had an assessment yet?

KxMx

You can contact the health assessment agency to enquire about waiting times for an assessment.

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

After the DWP receive assessment report, then official timescales are up to 12 weeks for a decision. 

Are you aware if found to have LCWRA then no extra money is paid, due to the maximum number of LCWRA elements paid in a couples claim being one? 

Pip_cas1

KxMx said:

You can contact the health assessment agency to enquire about waiting times for an assessment.

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

After the DWP receive assessment report, then official timescales are up to 12 weeks for a decision. 

Are you aware if found to have LCWRA then no extra money is paid, due to the maximum number of LCWRA elements paid in a couples claim being one? 

No, i wasn't aware of that

Pip_cas1

Muttleythefrog said:

Have you had an assessment yet?

Only the initial letter that I completed with my health concerns and relevant health individuals.

Muttleythefrog

Pip_cas1 said:

Muttleythefrog said:

Have you had an assessment yet?

Only the initial letter that I completed with my health concerns and relevant health individuals.

Quite a wait so far for assessment... they're supposedly prioritising new claims and reported change of circumstances. As above though check what is best arrangement financially as a couple... possibly one of you could end up looking at the carer element instead (as that can be paid to one partner alongside LCWRA to another)

Pip_cas1

Muttleythefrog said:

Pip_cas1 said:

Muttleythefrog said:

Have you had an assessment yet?

Only the initial letter that I completed with my health concerns and relevant health individuals.

Quite a wait so far for assessment... they're supposedly prioritising new claims and reported change of circumstances. As above though check what is best arrangement financially as a couple... possibly one of you could end up looking at the carer element instead (as that can be paid to one partner alongside LCWRA to another)

If I was awarded carers allowance would that amount be taken from my partners LWCRA uc?   

poppy12345

Pip_cas1 said:

Muttleythefrog said:

Pip_cas1 said:

Muttleythefrog said:

Have you had an assessment yet?

Only the initial letter that I completed with my health concerns and relevant health individuals.

Quite a wait so far for assessment... they're supposedly prioritising new claims and reported change of circumstances. As above though check what is best arrangement financially as a couple... possibly one of you could end up looking at the carer element instead (as that can be paid to one partner alongside LCWRA to another)

If I was awarded carers allowance would that amount be taken from my partners LWCRA uc?   

It would be deducted in full from your UC so no financial gain.

You can claim carers element of UC which will increase your maximum UC entitlement by £201.68/month. This is assuming your partner claims either daily living PIP or DLA mid/high rate care. 

Please note that carers element and LCWRA element can’t be paid to the same person. 

Pip_cas1

poppy12345 said:

Pip_cas1 said:

Muttleythefrog said:

Pip_cas1 said:

Muttleythefrog said:

Have you had an assessment yet?

Only the initial letter that I completed with my health concerns and relevant health individuals.

Quite a wait so far for assessment... they're supposedly prioritising new claims and reported change of circumstances. As above though check what is best arrangement financially as a couple... possibly one of you could end up looking at the carer element instead (as that can be paid to one partner alongside LCWRA to another)

If I was awarded carers allowance would that amount be taken from my partners LWCRA uc?   

It would be deducted in full from your UC so no financial gain.

You can claim carers element of UC which will increase your maximum UC entitlement by £201.68/month. This is assuming your partner claims either daily living PIP or DLA mid/high rate care. 

Please note that carers element and LCWRA element can’t be paid to the same person. 

We recieve standard allowance because we're a couple. We recieve housing benefit as there is 2 people on the tenancy and a payment for LCWRA. Which as far im aware is following my partners assessment, as I haven't had one. So, am I able to claim the carers element?       We both recieve PIP.

Muttleythefrog

Pip_cas1 said:

poppy12345 said:

Pip_cas1 said:

Muttleythefrog said:

Pip_cas1 said:

Muttleythefrog said:

Have you had an assessment yet?

Only the initial letter that I completed with my health concerns and relevant health individuals.

Quite a wait so far for assessment... they're supposedly prioritising new claims and reported change of circumstances. As above though check what is best arrangement financially as a couple... possibly one of you could end up looking at the carer element instead (as that can be paid to one partner alongside LCWRA to another)

If I was awarded carers allowance would that amount be taken from my partners LWCRA uc?   

It would be deducted in full from your UC so no financial gain.

You can claim carers element of UC which will increase your maximum UC entitlement by £201.68/month. This is assuming your partner claims either daily living PIP or DLA mid/high rate care. 

Please note that carers element and LCWRA element can’t be paid to the same person. 

We recieve standard allowance because we're a couple. We recieve housing benefit as there is 2 people on the tenancy and a payment for LCWRA. Which as far im aware is following my partners assessment, as I haven't had one. So, am I able to claim the carers element?       We both recieve PIP.

If your partner gets Daily Living component of PIP and you provide care of 35 or more hours per week then it looks like you could claim UC carer's element. As advised regarding Carer's Allowance it would be deducted in full as unearned income from UC award so not likely worth applying for that. Both LCWRA and carer's element carry a no requirement to seek or take work.

Spoonie_Turtle

It may be beneficial to still have your potentially LCW or LCWRA outcome from your WCA though as that doesn't change until/unless you're reassessed with a different outcome. 

Whereas if either of you lose your PIP for any reason, the other person with the carer element will lose that until/unless the other person's PIP is reinstated.  Whereas if you have LCW/RA although it won't entitle you to extra money, you also won't find yourself suddenly being required to attend appointments and look for work if any PIP claim is taken away.