Will my LCWRA be backdated?

CurlyPrincess

Hi, I’m new here, I have been reading through other posts to see if I could find the answer but I am still confused.  I started receiving UC last October.  On January 31st 2023 I submitted a fit note for the period 31 January to 31st March 2023, then another March 29th to June 1st and then another May 31st to August 23rd 2023.  Then on June 10th following my telephone assessment I received a letter (UCD81) informing me that I have been awarded LCWRA.  My new statement has the LCWRA element included.  My AP is 25th May to 24th June.  My question is concerning back payment- will my award be backdated, if so to when.  Thank you so much for taking the time to read and answer my question.

poppy123456

Your waiting period will be Feb to May.. LCWRA starts from assessment period 25th May to 24th June and first payment will be 1st July. No LCWRA element is owed.

If you had reported your health condition at the start of your assessment period 25th Jan to 24th Feb then they would owe you 1 month because it would have been paid from AP April/May. 

This is because there's a full 3 month assessment period waiting time and the extra money is then paid from the 4th month after you reported your health condition/sent your first fit note.

CurlyPrincess

Thanks poppy123456 for your response!  I understand about the 3 month waiting period however I don’t think that DWP would be fair I. Not awarding packpay because my waiting period is from 1st February to 1st May and there are still 23 days between which I should be entitled to.  The system doesn’t seem to be fair to everyone as I had to wait until my June payment to see the increase in my UC payment that was announced in April.

calcotti

CurlyPrincess said:

I understand about the 3 month waiting period however I don’t think that DWP would be fair.

It’s not the DWP who set the rules. DWP administer the benefits in accordance with the legislation set by the government.

CurlyPrincess said:

Not awarding packpay because my waiting period is from 1st February to 1st May and there are still 23 days between which I should be entitled to.  The system doesn’t seem to be fair to everyone as I had to wait until my June payment to see the increase in my UC payment that was announced in April.

Unfortunately that is how the system works as set out in the regulations. If you disagree strongly raise the issue with your MP.

poppy123456

CurlyPrincess said:

Thanks poppy123456 for your response!  I understand about the 3 month waiting period however I don’t think that DWP would be fair I. Not awarding packpay because my waiting period is from 1st February to 1st May and there are still 23 days between which I should be entitled to.  The system doesn’t seem to be fair to everyone as I had to wait until my June payment to see the increase in my UC payment that was announced in April.

The April increase has nothing to do with the LCWRA element waiting period. The waiting period applies to everyone (unless you're claiming because of end of life)

The waiting period also applies to ESA so the rules are no different for UC. UC is paid one month in arrears, which is why it's paid at the end of the 4th month.