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Hi, I'm Michaelculyer2! I've just been awarded LCWRA and I actually don't know what it means

Michaelculyer2

I'm just seeing what help is available as I've lived out of the country for a while and since I returned to the North I've just been awarded LCWRA and I actually don't know what it means except I won't be running up mountains any time soon.

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Jimm_Alumni

Hey @Michaelculyer2, welcome to our community! I already linked you the Turn2Us benefits calculator in another discussion but no harm in linking it again.

How have you found the return to the UK? I know you mentioned the benefits system is quite the learning curve but how did the move itself go? Hope it was alright.

Michaelculyer2

Hi,

I travelled back from the Philippines knowing I would be homeless in August. I've been staying with a friend but hopefully on the 12th I'll get keys to a disability flat which is great. I currently only get living allowance, I know I'll get housing allowance and I now know I'll get lcwra whenever they start paying it. I first registered fit note on 20th September so The Lord knows when I'll start seeing it. I'm starting again from scratch, but help and support for a homeless disabled veteran has been great, if a bit slow. I'm getting there I think k except that I have no idea about benefits, never needed to so definitely a learning curve.
My mate said I should have jumped in the water at Dover and started speaking in Tagalog and I would have been in a hotel all this time ha ha ha. I can't claim PIP yet and it's unclear when I can due to living out of the country for so long. Its great fun so far. ;-)

poppy123456

Your first payment for the LCWRA element will be either January or Feb. The exact date will depend on what dates your assessment periods cover, or what date you usually receive your money each month.

Michaelculyer2

Hi Poppy,
Thanks for responding, I was guessing January as my payment day is the 19th and guessed it would be too late. I have no idea about assessment dates etc or where to find them but that's okay. I'm new to this so it's all "go with the flow" type attitude from me as I have nothing to measure the processes and timescales against. I'm just happy if I move a little bit closer to not being homeless. I'm being advised by so many it's a bit confusing, but I'll get there.

Many thanks

Mick

poppy123456

An assessment period lasts for 1 calendar month, every month and starts on the day you submitted your claim. If your payment date is usually 19th of every month then your assessment periods are 13th to 12th of every month. If you log into your journal, assuming you have one and click on "payments" at the top of there it will say something like this...

On 19th December 2023 you will be paid any money you are entitled to.

The amount you get is based on your circumstances from 13th November to 12th December 2023.

If the 20th September was the same date you reported your health condition then your waiting period will be as follows. Oct/Nov, Nov/Dec, Dec/Jan.. LCWRA starts from assessment period 13th Jan to 12th Feb and first payment will be 19th February 2024.

If you reported your health condition on 13th September, which is the start of the Oct/Nov assessment period then your first payment will be 19th January. Either way, no LCWRA element is owed.

The reason for the wait is because it's called a "waiting period" this is a period that the majority of people need to wait before they start recieving the extra money, which is 3 full assessment periods. It's the paid "from" the 4th month, with first payment being the end of that month because UC is paid 1 month in arrears.

Once you move into your home then you will need to click "report a change of circumstances" on your journal. Then click "where you live and what it costs." If it's social housing you're renting from then you'll be entitled to the whole rent amount, unless you have spare bedrooms.

Edit to add once you move into your home, you'll be able to claim for council tax reduction from your local Authority. It is not part of UC and needs to be claimed separately.

Michaelculyer2

Thats most useful information that I obviously didn't know, amongst all of the other stuff I don't know. Thanks for the clarification everything I'm learning is useful.

poppy123456

You’re welcome!

Michaelculyer2

Hi Jimm,
That link was brilliant, seems I'm entitled to more than I thought. I'm researching now to see if I'm eligible for Mobility ;-).
Seriously, it really does feel like I'm back in school, this is a real education.
Thanks for the link

poppy123456

Michaelculyer2 said:

Hi Jimm,
That link was brilliant, seems I'm entitled to more than I thought. I'm researching now to see if I'm eligible for Mobility ;-).

What link was that? If it was the benefits calculator then this won't tell you if you're entitled to PIP.

Mobility is part of PIP (Personal Independence Payment) assuming you're not living in Scotland. It's not a benefit on it's own. To be able claim PIP you must have been living in the UK for 2 out of the last 3 years. As you've only recently returned to the UK from another country then unfortunately, you won't be able to claim PIP yet. This means you can't claim mobility either. Please see link for confirmation. https://www.gov.uk/pip/eligibility