LCWRA- how do payments work?

Arlene2001

Hi all, just hoping for a bit of help if possible, I was awarded LCWRA on 7/10/2023 due to a health condition, but I’m not sure when I’ll be getting the LCWRA element? 

I gave my first fitnote 19/07 where I was referred for the assessment and sent off the questionnaire mid august and then gave in a second fitnote 28/08 (but I did have a 2 week gap as I struggled to get one from gp) and this one covered me for 3 months but I had my assessment on the 22/09  and then I received my decision through a letter on the 2/10 and it all updated on my UC journal that I was awarded LCWRA. 

On the letter it says something about a 3 month waiting period after I declared my health condition by fitnote etc, I sort of assumed that meant 3 months after july (but I think I’m wrong) . It also says that I won’t recieve backdate for the relevant period (I’m not sure what it means by relevant period lol) 

I received my statement on UC journal for my payments this month and the balance only shows my regular UC standard amount.  Does this mean I just assumed it all wrong and will be paid 3 months after the date I received my decision meaning I’ll recieve it in December/Jan? Or is this something I need to speak to them about? 

This is my first time claiming anything like this so I’m really clueless I apologise if I come across as a bit dumb. 

Thank you so much for any help I truly appreciate it. 

poppy123456

The extra money isn’t paid at all during the waiting period. This is 3 full assessment periods from when you reported your health condition. It’s then paid from the 4th month with the extra money paid at the end of that month. 

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. Gaps can affect when the extra money is paid from. 

It will be down to a decision maker to decide when it’s paid from. If they accept the gap in your fit notes then your first payment will be either Nov or Dec. The exact date will depend on what date you usually receive your money each month, or what dates your assessment periods cover.

Arlene2001

poppy123456 said:

The extra money isn’t paid at all during the waiting period. This is 3 full assessment periods from when you reported your health condition. It’s then paid from the 4th month with the extra money paid at the end of that month. 

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. Gaps can affect when the extra money is paid from. 

It will be down to a decision maker to decide when it’s paid from. If they accept the gap in your fit notes then your first payment will be either Nov or Dec. The exact date will depend on what date you usually receive your money each month, or what dates your assessment periods cover.

Thank you so much this makes a lot of sense! I really appreciate you taking the time to answer 😊 

askt

I must say I’m very impressed by the detailed response to the question asked. We live in a society where, unfortunately, if 95% of the work is done successfully people often ignore that and are critical of the 5% not done. Your response was 100%. Thank you.