Work Capability Assessment

Dancer

I got a letter through the post saying that I need to attend an appointment for a work capability assessment. I don`t really understand what this is about so I was wondering if anyone here has been through it and can explain it to me. One of my sisters was meant to go with me but she is unable to make it due to work commitments. As the letter only came through yesterday, it is too short notice for her to get the time off. So I`m having to get a friend to go with me instead. Going into London is hard enough let alone when it is a part I don`t even know.

Invisible_me

Im not sure if it's this but when I apply jobs I have a meeting with some extrtnal company to ask more about my disability, needs and any adjustments that may be helpful.

Or it might be to find out more about your situation and whether you are needing any help support to do the job??

eylah

i had to do a work capability assessment for uc which i got so i don’t have to look for jobs anymore. not sure if its the same or not.

Dancer

The work capability assessment I have is for universal credit.

Laura_tigger82

Thank you for confirming this for us @Dancer. It sounds like what @eylah has commented, although the results can be different for different people. The Government have a whole section on their website about what you could expect at the work capability assessment and the different outcomes.

How might you unwind tonight? I can hear how difficult this is feeling, especially with your sister being unable to go with you due to the short notice!

Amy22

Hi @Dancer I hope you are doing okay this week..I recently noticed your post and I just wanted to say that I've actually just completed a telephone appointment for my work capability assessment for uc credit so I understand what you may be going through right now. So basically what a universal credit work capability assessment is is basically when you apply for uc, sometimes you may be asked to do a work capability assessment to determine whether your able to work full time or if your in the limited capability to work category. If you are in the limited capability to work category you are eligble to have more money towards your universal credit payments. But this also reduces the pressure off you to be constantly having work coach meetings as well as looking for work. These assessments can be done via telephone call or in person. They normally will send you a form before the assessment which you fill out with questions on things such as mobility, mental capacity and also everyday things like travelling to new places etc. The form once completed gets sent back to the work capability team who then send that to your assessor who will read it before doing the assessment with you. So when the assessment happens they can refer to your notes you made on the form. Basically one of my tips for the form is to put down as much about your conditions as possible so the assessor has a good understanding of you as a person and how your conditions affect you day to day. For example, with my form I put down my autism and adhd and how that impacts my travel and socialising skills the most so I would score higher on those.

I can imagine it being quite stressful right now especially having to answer the questions for it too. What helped me was writing down some of my responses beforehand so it allowed me to discuss stuff without trying to think of the answers on the day. I also had my mum as an appointee which meant that instead of me having to answer the questions myself with the assessor, my mum could speak on my behalf eventhough I still had to be in the same room during the assessment. I am aware that you were going to have your sister to help you but she was unable to in the end, I wonder if there is anyone else you know who could potentially help you during the assessment . It definitely sounds like a lot to be going through right now and I am always here if you ever want to chat or need any support with the work capability assessment.