Armed Forces and UC50s and ESA50s

As it’s Friday afternoon and I’m starting to procrastinate a bit about an MR I’m writing a thought occurred regarding UC50s and ESA50s. Why does it asks if someone has been a member of HM Armed Forces? I had a quick look through the DRH and nothing immediately sprang out so it seemed a slightly odd question for them to ask. It would, ironically, make more sense in a PIP form where ticking yes might then trigger some questions about whether or not AFIP might be a relevant/has been missed somewhere down the line. But on a work capability assessment form?

Any illumination (or gentle pointing out of something obvious I’ve missed) gratefully received!

Isn’t it because where someone has been discharged from the armed forces, the number of waiting days is reduced from the usual seven to three - so long as prior to the discharge the claimant had three or more days that were sickness absence…..

past caring - 13 December 2022 11:37 AM

Isn’t it because where someone has been discharged from the armed forces, the number of waiting days is reduced from the usual seven to three - so long as prior to the discharge the claimant had three or more days that were sickness absence…..

Aha! You’re quite right the waiting days are reduced when if you’re coming out of the forces following a period of sickness. Thank you that’s answered, well not a burning question, but one that was puzzling me :)

Isn’t it wider than that?

quoting from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jobcentre-plus-services-for-the-armed-forces-and-their-families/armed-forces-enhanced-access-to-jobcentre-plus-services-and-armed-forces-champions 

“When a service medical board decides a severely disabled person can no longer be employed in the armed forces and should be discharged, DWP now use the service medical board evidence to determine eligibility to ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit rather than conduct a face-to-face medical assessment.”

seand - 13 December 2022 02:58 PM

Isn’t it wider than that?

quoting from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jobcentre-plus-services-for-the-armed-forces-and-their-families/armed-forces-enhanced-access-to-jobcentre-plus-services-and-armed-forces-champions 

“When a service medical board decides a severely disabled person can no longer be employed in the armed forces and should be discharged, DWP now use the service medical board evidence to determine eligibility to ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit rather than conduct a face-to-face medical assessment.”

I think that would make more sense, as the waiting days would be dealt with before the ESA50 was issued and wouldn’t be relevant in a UC WCA at all.

Aye, teach me to skim-read. :)