Query re LCWRA potential backpay etc

igglypop93

Apologies for the oft repeated question in advance, just a bit confused.


I had my WCA phone assessment recently and have been wondering if I were to be awarded LCWRA what the situation with any backpay would be.


I applied to UC and entered info re health condition 10th August, but as my docs couldn't fit any non acute appts in until the 15th September there was a big delay in getting hold of my first fit note. 


That fit note was backdated to the 10th August as instructed by UC and was accepted on the system with no issues. 

What I am uncertain about is whether that means it's accepted fully or if i were to be given LCWRA status then it would need to be considered again? (as I've read a lot about backdated fit notes being rejected).


My fit notes from that point have been consistent and each has been accepted in the same way. 


I am paid on the 16th of each month usually. My assessment period is from what I've read the 10th to the 9th each month.


Thank you for any guidance you can provide. Whilst it's all wishful thinking at this point I just have been curious especially about the backdated fit note aspect.

 The nurse i spoke to for the assessment also seemed confused re my dates on my account but I think that was more because I've been in this state since early 2019 and got PIP in mid 2020 but was incorrectly advised I was ineligible for UC as I was still technically employed (although I couldn't do shifts and they didn't pay me sick pay)so I only applied for UC after they understandably fired me last year.

 (I was in no condition to do my own reading up so relied on the council person to advise what I should apply for, unfortunately in my case they were mistaken, but it's all so confusing so hardly surprising).

poppy123456

I wouldn't have expected them to refuse your first fit note but i wouldn't expect them to accept that it's backdated, so they may ignore that it's backdated and take it from when you reported it.

As you didn't report a fit note within 7 days of reporting your health condition then it may affect when the LCWRA element is paid from.

If they do refuse, your waiting period will be Oct/Nov, Nov/Dec, Dec/Jan.. LCWRA starts from AP 10th Jan to 9th Feb and first payment would be 16th Feb. Therefore, up to now they owe you 1 months LCWRA element.

If they go from the date you first applied for UC (unlikely) then your waiting period will be Aug to Nov... LCWRA starts from 10th Nov to 9th Dec and first payment would be 16th December.

Any money owed will be paid separately to your usually monthly money.

poppy123456

Are you claiming PIP? They are different benefits with different criteria but it's worth taking a look to see if you may qualify.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Migrated_Documents/adviceguide/pip-9-table-of-activities-descriptors-and-points.pdf

igglypop93

Thank you very much for the help! 
Yeah I was a little surprised in all honesty about the initial acceptance once I read how many issues backdating seems to cause.

Yes I am in receipt of standard Daily Living and enhanced mobility. Waiting for a review for it as they sent out the form in November.

Thank you so much again!

poppy123456

igglypop93 said:

Yeah I was a little surprised in all honesty about the initial acceptance once I read how many issues backdating seems to cause.

As i advised, just because the fit note was accepted, this doesn't mean they'll accept the fact it was backdated.

igglypop93

Totally clear on that no worries:) hence the "Initial acceptance" comment. Thank you for clarifying anyway though.

If they are going to reject the backdating will I just receive less of the backdated payment or will they message and say "your fit note hasn't been accepted " or something?

Luckily it's not much of a gap so I don't think I will even try to contest it if they reject it in all honesty. 

poppy123456

They will just recalculate your statements that cover the period in question.. from AP Oct/Nov onwards.

igglypop93

Hey Poppy, just wondered how long does it typically take for them to do recalculation? Is it a button press quick calculation or is it a send it off to a different dept thing? 

Just got my conformation for LCWRA today !.

poppy123456

Often it takes a few weeks. Once it’s done the new statements will replace your current ones. You will then receive a letter on your journal telling you how much they. It will then be paid into your bank. 

igglypop93

Thank you!

Cher_Alumni

It sounds like a relief to have been awarded the LCWRA @igglypop93 well done!

Just to let you know (and avoid you any future confusion), I've popped your thread in our Universal Category (UC) thread to help others find it more easily.

Take care and remember where we are if you need us again.

igglypop93

Oops sorry! Didn't realise I'd clicked the wrong section.

Yes it's a massive relief, we are going to use it to pay for a carer to help take the load off my mum. She's been really struggling generally to take care of me and there's been very little help from any of the "carer helpline" etc folks she's been put in touch with. 

L_Volunteer

Please don't be sorry @igglypop93. Easy mistake to make! We just want to make sure as many people as possible see and respond to your thread. 

Really glad to hear it is a massive relief. It sounds particularly helpful for helping take the load off your mum, especially as she has been really struggling. 

Do you feel you will receive the care you need and deserve? Please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything else we can do to support you 

igglypop93

Hey @poppy123456 just to update I got notified that they are back dating to assessment period Nov 10th to Dec 9th, so my December 16th payment is the first to include LCWRA.

All this is quite confusing, so I wanted to check if this meant they had accepted the backdated portion of the fit note to Aug 10th (when disability declared at start of claim) or if they had gone from when the fit note was uploaded (Sept 15th).

Also @L_Volunteer ; if you know of any resources for carers or anything that could help my mum I would really appreciate it. We have had contact with the one the council suggests but they were very limited in what they could suggest and unfortunately mum felt very abandoned by any of the support she had hoped would be there.

Thank you both in advance for any guidance you can provide!

poppy123456

That's great news. It means they've gone from when you first applied for UC.

igglypop93

Ah that's great thanks for replying!

 I did keep them informed about my doctors not being able to do anything but acute work on the day and that I had to wait until a set date for a call back so maybe that helped. So they knew that a fit note was incoming.

However they worked it out just glad it's done with. Can finally get some relief for my mum and finally look at getting separate housing sorted now i can actually pay for care.

Thank you for the explanations!

L_Volunteer

It sounds really difficult that they were limited in what they could suggest @igglypop93. Not least because this meant your mum, unfortunately, felt very abandoned by support.

There are some main contacts I am aware of for carers, these include:

• Carers UK
• NHS 
• Carers Trust

I hope these resources are at least semi-helpful. Please don't hesitate to let us know if you need any further support or signposts though, we will always do our best to help