{"id":4909,"date":"2023-05-02T04:28:32","date_gmt":"2023-05-02T04:28:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/?page_id=4909"},"modified":"2023-10-03T06:08:23","modified_gmt":"2023-10-03T06:08:23","slug":"health-conditions-and-disability","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/rules\/employment\/benefits\/universal-credit\/health-conditions-and-disability\/","title":{"rendered":"Health Conditions and Disability Under Universal Credit (UC)"},"content":{"rendered":"

In most cases, Universal Credit is a monthly benefit payment paid out to help with living costs.<\/p>\n

If you are out of work or getting a low income you might meet the Universal Credit eligibility criteria<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Health Conditions and Disabilities<\/h2>\n

There is an extra amount of Universal Credit available for some claimants. A health condition or a disability must prevent you from working (or limit the amount of work you can do) to get it.<\/p>\n

Several factors, and your circumstances, determine the monthly payment amount. Besides the health condition or disability, it also assesses your housing costs and your income.<\/p>\n

Many of the rules for Universal Credit<\/a> changed in April 2017. New claims since then will not get the extra amount if the claimant has ‘limited capability for work’.<\/p>\n

Note<\/strong>: There are several differences on health conditions, disability and Universal Credit in Northern Ireland<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Universal Credit and Terminal Illness<\/h2>\n

As a rule, being terminally ill would qualify you for extra money from Universal Credit. You would need to declare this during the application if you are making a new claim.<\/p>\n

But, you would need to report changes to your circumstances<\/a> if you already made the claim. You would then find out whether a Work Capability Assessment is necessary after you reported the change.<\/p>\n

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Work Capability Assessment (WCA)<\/h2>\n

A different section explains how to apply for Universal Credit<\/a> online. But, having done that, you would then need to fill in a questionnaire.<\/p>\n

You can fill in the questionnaire online and print it off if you prefer. If not, they will send you a paper copy of the form along with your appointment letter.<\/p>\n

Note<\/strong>: Fill in the capability for work questionnaire (UC50)<\/a> if they ask you to do so. It is not a claim form.<\/p>\n

Send the completed form to the Health Assessment Advisory Service. You will find their contact address written on the appointment letter.<\/p>\n

Having a Work Capability Assessment is the next step in the process. The purpose is to assess to what extent an illness or a disability affects your ability to work.<\/p>\n

The decision maker will determine the outcome of the Work Capability Assessment. That means they will place you in one of these three groups:<\/p>\n