First Work Capability Assessment found to have LCWRA

Hi I was hoping for some advice please. After a lot of stress and worry I was really pleased to find out today, in my universal credit journal, that I been found to have a limited capability for work and work related activity. This is the first time I have applied for means tested benefits for many years so I am unsure what happens next. It did say I could request a copy of the report and I requested that in my journal. It also said in the attached letter ‘we may ask you to attend another Work Capability Assessment in the future’ and in my journal it said ‘we have been asked to review your circumstances in the future’. My assessment was paper based and my psychiatrist had said he believed I would never be fit to work but I thought it most likely I would have to be assessed again but I just feel so worried with all the changes. I have asked in my journal if they can indicate if/ when I might be assessed again. I know things may change with proposals but I believe that often assessments are done much later than what had been recommended is that correct? Maybe that was just due to Covid or maybe there was always a backlog? I just don’t want to be filled with fear if it looks like the assessment may be relatively soon from their prognosis. Just hoping, like most people I guess, that I don’t have to endure another assessment for a really long time but it’s good to try to have some idea if possible please if you can shed any light on this. I have had a lot of good advice from the forum and guides to help me with the process for universal credit, and previously PIP which I really appreciate. I am hoping any future assessment is a long time off, many thanks Jane

Hi janerg63

How long did it take from sending in your form to getting notified of LCWRA in your journal?. Which assessment provider was it, eg Maximus or Capita?
Thanks

Hi Kelly,
It took around 5 weeks from my form being posted off to get a message in my journal with the decision LCWRA. It was all paper based and the provider was Maximus.
Kind regards,
Jane

Thanks Jane, much appreciated

Thank you for your response David. It does feel reassuring to me that there is currently a long backlog for reassessment as the process is so stressful. I do have a lot of anxiety due to my disability and I think this might be why I am getting confused and overthinking things.

It’s good to know there is a long queue for reassessments as you stated. I believe, from what I have read, if the new proposals go ahead they plan to do many more assessments and some groups may be prioritised eg those they believe to have shorter term difficulties eg for those undergoing cancer treatment and also those who were placed in the LCWRA group due to the substantial risk rule (though my evidence from my consultant psychiatrist indicated this was a very long term issue for me and he stated in his letter his view was I would never be well enough to work). Overall I guess they will also prioritise those who had a shorter term prognosis in general eg who had an assessment and a note on the system to reassess after a year whereas others it may state 3 years until reassessment so the one year prognosis group would be moved higher up the queue.

I know there are a lot of unknowns and maybe when I get my assessment report, which I requested in my journal, and know the reason they placed me in the LCWRA and if there is an indication of prognosis length things might be a little clearer for me.

I really am relieved to be in the LCWRA and grateful for the support of this forum and the guides it’s such a worrying time for everyone with all the uncertainty about what will happen with the assessment process in future and how this can impact on PIP awards too. I have been really ill with stress for months going through the assessment process and hope it is a very long time until I have to go through it again. I will look out for updates on the site.

Thanks again,
Kind regards,
Jane