Applying for Universal Credit query about medical evidence and LCWRA

Hi janerg63

Thank you for your post, I will try and put your mind at ease.

Applying for UC is usually done online, if you are computer literate then I am told it is a very easy and straightforward application. Once you apply for UC you need to keep your eye on your 'to do list' tab, in the to do list tab your work coach will send you information that they want you to carry out such as book an appointment to see your workcoach.

When you see your workcoach, give them your fit note, this starts the assessment phase.

At the appointment your workcoach will ask you to sign a claimant commitment.

The conditions for claiming Universal Credit are set out in a "claimant commitment" that most people will have to accept at the beginning of their claim. If you are part of a couple, you will each have a separate claimant commitment that may be different from each other's.

People who may not need to accept a commitment include those who lack capacity, those who have exceptional circumstances  where it would be unreasonable to expect them to agree a commitment (this is decided by the work coach on a case by case basis), or, From 15 February 2022 people with a terminal illness and less than 6 months to live were also excluded, and from 4 April 2023 this was extended to 12 months.

There are 4 conditionality groups:

* Group 1. No work related requirements
* Group 2. Work-focused interview requirement
* Group 3. Work preparation requirement
* Group 4. All work-related requirements

www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Claimant-commitment-Universal-Credit

You will not be placed in the LCWRA group straight away, you will be sent a Work Capability Assessment form to complete once you have handed in a fit note.

There are two parts to the work capability assessment :-

The first part looks at whether you have 'limited capability for work' (LCW)
The second part looks at whether you have a 'limited capability for work related activity' (LCWRA)

1) Limited Capability for Work
Assessment to help determine benefit entitlement based on the extent to which a claimant’s health condition or disability affects their capability for work

2) Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity
Assessment to help determine whether the claimant can be placed in the Support Group because the effect of their condition is so severe that it would be unreasonable to expect them to engage in work-related activity.

You will be found to have limited capability for work and work-related activity if:

* at least one of the LCWRA descriptors applies to you for the majority of the time or on the majority of the occasions that you try to carry out the activity;
* your capability for work and work-related activity is limited; and
* it is not reasonable for you to carry out the activity.

To be assessed as having a limited capability for work, you need to score 15 points or more. Add together the highest score from each activity that applies to you.

The following criterion can only be considered once it has been determined that the claimant has not scored fifteen or more points against the schedule 2 descriptors (limited capability for work), and/or they have not scored against one or more of the schedule 3 descriptors (limited capability for work and work-related activity).

* if, because of a specific health condition or disability, the physical or mental health of the claimant or anybody else would be at risk if they were not found to have limited capability for work-related activity 

In order to qualify for the Support/LCWRA Group you need to;

* meet one or more of the relevant descriptors, or
* meet one of the associated Exceptional Circumstances rules.

The Support/LCWRA Group descriptors and the Exceptional Circumstances are listed in the Claiming ESA guides in the members area.

We would advise you to seek help from your local Welfare Rights Organisation when completing WCA form; advicelocal.uk

Gary

Hi Janerg63

If you are computer literate then the process is quite straight forward you just have to follow the instructionson the screen.

As you were on Income Support then you would not have been in the support group, therefore when you apply for UC you have to start at the assessment phase once you give your workcoach a "fit note", I would also put a note on your journal that you have given your workcoach a fit note, that then gives you an electronic foot print.

When you apply for UC online, it does not ask you any health questions, your workcoach should before getting you to sign a Claimant Commitment.

As for your NI credits, it would depend what type of credits you have been awarded.

Gary