UC Fit Note WCA

Dave1UK

My father has been on long-term income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and my mother has been his full-time carer (unofficially) ever since I was a child (20+ years).

By unofficially I mean she currently doesn't qualify for carers allowance, my father has made a PIP application back in October so is awaiting the outcome of this. If he qualifies my mother would be able to apply and qualify for carers allowance (officially).

They have transitioned onto UC in September, as my mother is not officially/documented as a carer her commitments have been to search for work for the maximum of 35 hours per week for a full-time job.

Over the past few months, juggling everything this has put a lot of strain and had a toll on her i.e. actively looking for work, caring for my father, looking and applying for courses to improve job prospects alongside other UC commitments. She went to her GP and received a fit note due to depression (the fit note is for a period of a month until end of Jan next year).

I helped her just now declaring this on the UC system and she has been notified that she will receive a letter and a Capability for Work (WCA50) questionnaire in the post. I done a quick Google and they are well within their rights as per GOV.UK from what I can see which is fine.

One major concern is that for whatever reason letters to their address (some not all) have been arriving late, they live in a flat complex and have their own mailbox. Some of these letter have been important from the council and as late as 2-3 weeks than dated, this is allegedly a Royal Mail issue which when phoning up their council/other places in regards to the correspondence they said they have heard similar issues from others.

What sort of deadline (turn around) is expected on a WCA form?

Secondly as her fit note is dated from yesterday (29/12/2025), does that mean since her declaration today, her work commitments are temporarily suspended (inactive) until her WCA form is returned and processed by UC? Obviously whichever would be first end of fit note date if the return for WCA is later.

KxMx

The Fit Note doesn't remove work commitments unfortunately, although work coaches do have discretion and some are more reasonable than others while awaiting a WCA outcome.

If she is found to have LCWRA then no extra money is paid although she will still be removed from any work commitments.
This is because the maximum number of LCWRA elements payable is one in a couples claim. 

If your father is awarded PIP she can claim Carers Element under UC which is currently £201.68 a month.

Claiming Carers Allowance would be of no financial benefit because it would be deducted in full from the UC award. It does pay a better class of NI Contributions which might or might not be worthwhile for her. 

itsthelittlethings

I think fit notes do remove work commitments?

NedS

itsthelittlethings said:

I think fit notes do remove work commitments?

No, the work coach does that in agreement with the claimant at their commitments review appointment.

A fit note may state that the GP has found you fit for work, or fit for work with reasonable adjustments. They are not "sick" notes, or "unfit" notes.

Dave1UK

KxMx said:

The Fit Note doesn't remove work commitments unfortunately, although work coaches do have discretion and some are more reasonable than others while awaiting a WCA outcome.

If she is found to have LCWRA then no extra money is paid although she will still be removed from any work commitments.
This is because the maximum number of LCWRA elements payable is one in a couples claim. 

If your father is awarded PIP she can claim Carers Element under UC which is currently £201.68 a month.

Claiming Carers Allowance would be of no financial benefit because it would be deducted in full from the UC award. It does pay a better class of NI Contributions which might or might not be worthwhile for her. 

The fit note advises that "you are not fit for work". On the UC update entered the GPs details etc.

So even though she was 'awarded' this fit note with that advice, essentially it means nothing legally? She will have to stay committed to her commitments and wait for the WCA form, fill it in, send it back, wait for however long else necessary, potentially an advisor appointment to be assessed in person? I mean this could potentially be a timeline of 2-3months?

I just came across this on Citizens Advice - You have to send the form back within 4 weeks after you get it - otherwise the DWP might decide you can work. This is in regards to the WCA50 form, so answers one of my queries.

My brother was in a similar situation back in 2022, lost his job, suffered from anxiety and depression awaiting CBT and was on a fit note for maybe 5 months until his CBT had concluded. Back then he didn't receive any forms to fill in etc. He would just upload his fit notes monthly until after his CBT concluded and felt well enough to secure a job. I am assuming this has changed? If the fit note holds no authority then it will just cause a spiral.

itsthelittlethings

They will adjust her work commitments, I would think down to nothing.

Yamor

For the first 14 days, they can't make her look for work, or be available to take up work, but all other conditionality (i.e., work-focused interviews and work preparation requirements from day 1, and work search and work availability requirements from day 15) are set by the work coach, as @KxMx and  @NedS say above.

See more details here:

https://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2025-0769/080_Health_conditionsdisabilities_day_1_to_day_29Guidance_V16.pdf

sammyjammy

Can she not register as a carer even though she doesn't receive the carers allowance benefit?  I thought this was the case, also with the carers premium?

Your poor Mum, she must be really struggling 

KxMx

Dad doesn't get a qualifying benefit at present to make Mum eligible under UC to be recognised as a carer.

Northern_Wanderer

KxMx said:

If your father is awarded PIP she can claim Carers Element under UC which is currently £201.68 a month.

Claiming Carers Allowance would be of no financial benefit because it would be deducted in full from the UC award. It does pay a better class of NI Contributions which might or might not be worthwhile for her. 

Unless you live in Scotland, as if you claim Carers Support Payment (equivelant of Carers Allowance), you benefit from the Carers Allowance Supplement paid twice a year of £293.50.

Dave1UK

Just wanted to update that my mother received the WCA50 form last week, helped her fill it in. However it's surprising that there isn't much in relation to depression/anxiety which would come under mental health?

There is a specific section for mental health on the form. However the questions are very specifically defined and situational? Which makes it difficult describing/explaining ones depression/anxiety if it doesn't directly tie in with those situations.