UC -WCA, not attending appointment due to psychological distress about the WCA

Hi,

Does anyone know what happens if a telephone appointment for a WCA is not attended due to severe psychological distress and anxiety about the assessment. My friend has filled in the UC50 form using the guides here. It’s very detailed and gives all the information needed to asses him. He clearly outlined that he can’t take part in an assessment over the phone or face to face and why but he has been ignored. He asked for a review into the decision to assess him on the phone but heard nothing back. Today he received the call for the assessment but was unable to answer it due to the anxiety and stress about it making him very unwell. He couldn’t eat or sleep properly for days leading up to it. It’s awful. He managed to message them this morning to state that he was sick and why and that he couldn’t do the assessment but he heard nothing back and the call still came through. Does anyone know what will happen. next? He is incapable of the assesment and has clearly stated that the severe anxiety he suffers from will stop him from being able to give accurate information in the assesment, that he will just say anything to try and end it asap. Yet they still insist on putting him through the hell of the assesment. We suspect that they haven’t even read the additional information that he provided with his UC 50 form. Any advice and support would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your reply’s, we very much appreciate your support.

The following is what my friends sent to his UC advisor. He also informed them before he missed the telephone assessment that he was unable to partake in it and why.

“On Monday 13th March someone from WCA emailed me asking if I would like a review into the decision to assess me via phone. I emailed back that same day saying I would like that, however I heard nothing back. I was then called yesterday for the assessment, despite waiting for the review into my assessment method, which I’d heard nothing back about. I also emailed yesterday morning informing them that I was too unwell to partake in the assessment, yet I was still called for the assessment despite all that. I have now been told today, in an email, that my case will be returning to the DWP. I don’t know what to do now. I’m very worried. I sent extensive detailed information with my UC 50 form regarding my health conditions and the impact they have on me. I also explained why I am unable to partake in a telephone assessment and give accurate and detailed information about my conditions. I have been trying to communicate with them about this since the appointment was booked for me. I would also like to add that I was sent nothing in writing regarding the appointment day and time. I am very stress and anxious about this.”

He is waiting for a response from both WCA and UC about this matter. What he would like to know now is what is the procedure now it’s back with the DWP? We believe that WCA have failed to deal with his case adequately. Is there a chance that the DWP will carry out a paper assessment if they deem his reason for not partaking in the WCA telephone assesment satisfactory.?

Thanks again.