Autism and universal credit

Hi, this is a detailed respobse based on my own dealings, having been through this process, over the 4 years I've been on UC...

I believe, unless rules have changed (and I realise I am repeating others) the issue will be whilst you are waiting for an assessment, you haven't got the assessment results.

I realise this is not good news, especially if you expect to be diagnosed autistic but have a long wait... but it has to be supported by evidence. I realise this is not helpful in your current situation.

However, I would stress that when you have a diagnosis. It does change the UC "game" somewhat. Having a history of over a decade of mental health issues, I now get UC, including the LCW&WRA element.

I currently live at home so don't claim any housing allowance... due to my age, I would be entitled to the shared accommodation rate based on being under 35. But because you can also get Personal Independence Payment: you WILL qualify (for at least the basic payment) with autism... you are also then entitled to a one bed rate of housing allowance REGARDLESS OF AGE.

Another entitlement is 25% of council tax, which I believe, but am yet to have confirmed. Can be combined with single occupancy (-25%) to give you 50% off council tax.

I realise this makes me seem like kne of the system abusers. But over my 4 years on UC I have found work coaches to be a complete and utter waste of space. You attend and apply as you're in dyer straights, you ask questions: and they for you off without answering them. It felt to me, very much like a "we've got targets" situation, and riled me so much that when I hear people struggling I will give them as much weaponry as I can!

All of the above however is subject to proving your case. My suggestion is keep plastic folders with all your medical documentation. If you have more than one issue. It can often be useful to split the letters across multiple folders. Evidence is the key. The more supporting evidence you have the easier it is to prove.

This will not remove any need to attend an in person medical assessment though. I have spoken to others when I attended mine, there is definitely a way of approaching things... if you can't prove it, don't blag it! You will be found out, and you will give us all a bad name. This will probably go against you in further applications as well.

I've also seen comments on other forums, where people say they were "tricked" at the assessment. This is nonsense. If you tell the truth. You won't be caught out or "tricked"

Being assessed as LCW&WRA DOES NOT mean you are not allowed to work. I have done my distillery self employed whilst being LCW&WRA... the benefit of this classification is that as PR mentioned, you will not be required to apply for ANY job they want you to. You will have far more control, whether that be to apply for jobs (up to 15hrs) that you feel would be suitable, or even try self employment if there's an area you think you could start something. Both will be subject to 15hrs a week and the usual £500 odd cap, anymore and you'll lose 55p of your UC per £1 above the threshold. While this may seem a lot. Its based on the "over the threshold" amount. So actually isn't too bad. If you go with self employment. You will submit monthly finances, and have a range of potential deductions you can make from your revenue. The £500 odd threshold is based on your gross profit.

Sorry for the essay. I believe this covers most of the areas of the benefits system. Good luck in your fight! And stay honest! :-)

Hi, this is a detailed respobse based on my own dealings, having been through this process, over the 4 years I've been on UC...

I believe, unless rules have changed (and I realise I am repeating others) the issue will be whilst you are waiting for an assessment, you haven't got the assessment results.

I realise this is not good news, especially if you expect to be diagnosed autistic but have a long wait... but it has to be supported by evidence. I realise this is not helpful in your current situation.

However, I would stress that when you have a diagnosis. It does change the UC "game" somewhat. Having a history of over a decade of mental health issues, I now get UC, including the LCW&WRA element.

I currently live at home so don't claim any housing allowance... due to my age, I would be entitled to the shared accommodation rate based on being under 35. But because you can also get Personal Independence Payment: you WILL qualify (for at least the basic payment) with autism... you are also then entitled to a one bed rate of housing allowance REGARDLESS OF AGE.

Another entitlement is 25% of council tax, which I believe, but am yet to have confirmed. Can be combined with single occupancy (-25%) to give you 50% off council tax.

I realise this makes me seem like kne of the system abusers. But over my 4 years on UC I have found work coaches to be a complete and utter waste of space. You attend and apply as you're in dyer straights, you ask questions: and they for you off without answering them. It felt to me, very much like a "we've got targets" situation, and riled me so much that when I hear people struggling I will give them as much weaponry as I can!

All of the above however is subject to proving your case. My suggestion is keep plastic folders with all your medical documentation. If you have more than one issue. It can often be useful to split the letters across multiple folders. Evidence is the key. The more supporting evidence you have the easier it is to prove.

This will not remove any need to attend an in person medical assessment though. I have spoken to others when I attended mine, there is definitely a way of approaching things... if you can't prove it, don't blag it! You will be found out, and you will give us all a bad name. This will probably go against you in further applications as well.

I've also seen comments on other forums, where people say they were "tricked" at the assessment. This is nonsense. If you tell the truth. You won't be caught out or "tricked"

Being assessed as LCW&WRA DOES NOT mean you are not allowed to work. I have done my distillery self employed whilst being LCW&WRA... the benefit of this classification is that as PR mentioned, you will not be required to apply for ANY job they want you to. You will have far more control, whether that be to apply for jobs (up to 15hrs) that you feel would be suitable, or even try self employment if there's an area you think you could start something. Both will be subject to 15hrs a week and the usual £500 odd cap, anymore and you'll lose 55p of your UC per £1 above the threshold. While this may seem a lot. Its based on the "over the threshold" amount. So actually isn't too bad. If you go with self employment. You will submit monthly finances, and have a range of potential deductions you can make from your revenue. The £500 odd threshold is based on your gross profit.

Sorry for the essay. I believe this covers most of the areas of the benefits system. Good luck in your fight! And stay honest! :-)

Chris said:

I've also seen comments on other forums, where people say they were "tricked" at the assessment. This is nonsense. If you tell the truth. You won't be caught out or "tricked"

Forgive me for contradicting you.  They do try hard to trick you at assessments.

At my PIP assessment the assessor spent the whole hour going through the physical disability questions, which I left blank because my disability is mental.  Then refused to even look at the second half of the form dealing with the invisible, mental problems, because in his words, ' I don't have the time'.