Work Assessment / LCWRA

[DWPnewbieUC]

I have a work assessment in a few weeks to assess my capability for work. I am on the waiting list for autism assessment but this can take 40 weeks. The only diagnosis I have is depression and anxiety, they suspect I have a personality disorder with psychosocial impairment. Worried I don’t have enough formal evidence to demonstrate I am unable for work related activities. I have no mobility issues at all. I need 15 points to get the lcwra group. I hope from my evidence they will see the substantial potential risk if I was placed in the fit for work category. Has anyone with mental health issues have any advice for the lcwra assessment? Thanks

It's not what you have. It's how your conditions affect your ability to work

They are assessing whether you can do any kind of work. It is important to have as much medical evidence as possible as pretty much all assessments are on the phone these days. They will look at medications etc. They are talking about the substantial risk descriptor potentially being removed from the work capability assessment in the future but this hasn't happened yet so you'll maybe be ok getting 15 points based on that. You can appeal the decision if it doesn't go your way.

Apologies, ‘they’ is my GP and the CPN at adult mental health services.

Yes, I understand this, however as the conditions are not physical it’s harder to evidence.

Thank you. Will they have contacted my GP and Community psychiatric nurses prior to the assessment call or do they do this after the call?

Are you under a CPN and get evidence that way?

I have a referral letter to Adult mental health services that describes my case as complex with suspected personality disorder with psychosocial impairment. It is Gp saying he suspects though, no diagnoses? I have been signed off as sick since 01/02/2024

Yes it’s the CPN that made autism referral and that’s how I got on the waiting list. CPN cannot diagnose autism though

If you don't work, won't it make your mental health worse? Less money, less stimulation, purpose and social contact? Could you do reduced hours instead?

I don’t have anything from CPN apart from autism referral letter. I have seen him 4 times but he doesn’t give me notes or any other evidence after the appointment. I hope he can provide this to DWP though.

No, I am too unwell to work. My Gp has signed me as unfit to work for months.

It’s universal credit that sent me the work assessment form after I submitted sick notes. I completed the work assessment they sent me.

My sick note doesn’t mention wages if I’m paid or not?

Sick note says unfit to work as under mental health assessment

I it was a requirement of UC to complete the work assessment, I don’t think there was an option for me not to apply?

Your question was not clear as you just said ‘paid?’ So I was unsure of what you meant

I haven't done one for ages, but I'm in support group. At the time I didn't have that much evidence. The GP gave me a letter I think. I had an appointment with a community psychiatrist so I included that. Just supply anything you have that relates to your MH.
Just explain how negatively working could impact you. Think about your worst case scenarios. If you will have a panic attack then describe that in detail etc.
Someone I know is in WRAG and they've never ever been made to do anything whatsoever in ten years. So it's not even like they always make you do stuff.
I'm sorry I can't remember much now about it, but I did get pretty upset. I remember that much! Good luck.

Thank you so much. Your post was extremely helpful. As it is over the phone I will ask where to send evidence. I did send everything I had when I completed the uc50 but I may have more as this was a few months ago I completed the paper form.