Can’t make head nor tail of this.

postie15

Can anyone tell me when LCWRA payments will start. My assessment periods are 15th to the 14th each month with payment on 21st. Thanks for any help given. I claim both NS ESA and UC  

chiarieds

Hi @postie15 - Please would you give a little more info:
 - what date was your first fit note from after declaring your health condition?
 - have you supplied continuous fit notes, with no gaps?

postie15

@chiarieds. Thanks for the reply. My fit note was from 3rd May. I was in the process of being ill health retired from work that week so my employer also had a copy of the same fit note. (6th may was my leaving day from work) and claimed NS ESA and UC from May 7th. Thanks. 

chiarieds

Thank you. There's a waiting period (with no extra payment) for 3 full months, with payment then being due from the 4th month. So your LCWRA element is from 21 Aug. When you get your next payment on 21 Sept you will be owed one months backpay of the LCWRA element.

postie15

Thanks you so much for your help. New to all this and DWP don’t like making thing's straight forward.  Thanks again ⭐️

chiarieds

You're very welcome. The DWP certainly don't mke things straight forward.

postie15

@chiarieds. Sorry I forgot to ask. Looking at the award have I only been awarded 1year as it says 

	Relevant period applies as initial award. Prognosis = 14 months total (2 months from award date to WCA + 12
	month prognosis)

Thanks so much for helping me again. 

chiarieds

Please don't worry @postie15 - sorry just noticed your post. That's just a guide; your LCWRA is an ongoing award until a new decision is made.

postie15

Thanks again. Could I ask you another question please? We rent a 2 bedroom flat from a private landlord and I get the housing element of UC. Even though my wife occasionally uses the spare bedroom for a sleep due to my disability I should receive full rent as I receive the daily living component of PIP?  I am currently getting LHA rate for a 1 bedroom paid. Thanks again. 

bg844

@postie15 For the extra bedroom, you will need to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment from your local authority. As a general rule, couples are expected to share a bedroom but the decision to award you a payment will be down to your council.

Kimmy87

I think you have linked to the LHA exemptions for single people under 35 who qualify for the 1 bedroom rate, as opposed to the shared accommodation rate.

Shelter has a full guide to calculate your bedroom entitlement:
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/how_many_bedrooms_you_can_claim_benefits_for

Which in your circumstances is one, as you are not unable to share a bedroom with your wife due to disability, so the LHA award is correct.

Always worth trying for DHP but this isn't guaranteed and is a short term payment (you can re apply but success isn't a given) 

postie15

Thank you all 🌟