Been awarded lcwra but don’t know what it means, any help or advice?

suzyblue77

Hi I’m new I had an operation last November and another in may bad infection after and I’m still off my work I have been awarded lcwra on 12th august but don’t know what it means any help or advice would be greatly appreciated thank you 

poppy123456

Assuming you're not claiming UC with a partner that already receives the LCWRA element on your claim then it means your UC maximum entitlement will increase by £390.06/month from the 4th month after you reported your health condition. Providing you sent a fit note within 7 days of that and continued to send them without any gaps until a decision was made on your WCA.

When it's paid from exactly will depend on the answer to the following 2 questions.

What date exactly did you report your health condition/send your first fit note?

What date do you usually receive your money each month?

suzyblue77

Thanks for replying I have been sending fit notes since I started universal credit first one on 4th of may I’m receive my payment on 30th of each month before this I was on working tax credit and child tax credit 

poppy123456

You said you’ve been sending fit notes since you started claiming UC which was 4th May. This doesn’t reflect your payment dates of 30th of every month.

If your payment date is 30th then I would expect your UC assessment periods to be 24th to 23rd of every month so your UC claim would have started on 24th of the month. 

I can’t advise without the correct information. Please have a look on your journal to see what date exactly that you sent your first fit note. 

Your Tax credits claim is irrelevant.

suzyblue77

Sorry for the confusion I first applied for universal credit on 24th April and my first fit note submitted on 28th of April thanks for your help 

poppy123456

Thank you. That means your waiting period will be April/May, May/June, June/July... LCWRA starts from assessment period 24th July to 23rd August and first payment will be 30th August. 

I would expect your statement this month to include the LCWRA element but you'll need to check it.If it doesn't then they will owe you for this month. No other money is owed.

suzyblue77

Thank you