LCWRA and recent relationship breakdown

Namjin0613

Hi all I'm wondering if you could help me please.

My long term partner ended our relationship a few days ago. I've reported this change to UC yesterday and I'm really scared about what's happening.

I was just awarded lcwra on 23/2/24, however since switching from a joint to a single claim my entire uc page has gone blank, as if its a new claim. 

I've just logged in this morning and I've had to declare a fit note which was got me extremely anxious and scared that I have to start the whole disability process again. This can't be happening, citizens advice said my claim would just continue. I need that extra money to be able to afford to live by myself.

When I've looked on my work plan it still says I don't need to look for work or do any work related activity. My commitments are still also to just complete everything in my to do list and to report any changes.

When I went on my payments, all my previous payments I got with my ex are gone. It also has generic response like 'you told us you pay rent" and 'you told us you have a disability that affects your ability to work, you may need an assessment' but I was just awarded lcwra . 

I also get pip if that helps in any way.

I am so scared and anxious right now. 

poppy123456

When going from joint to single claim or single to joint claim then everything in your journal will be wiped off. This includes journal entries and past statements. 

You do not need to go through another work capability assessment and did not need to report a health condition or provide any further fit notes. I would advise you to put a message on your journal to ask if they can cancel the fit note because otherwise they may refer you for another work capability assessment. 

Sounds like your commitments have already been updated to reflect the LCWRA decision, which is a good thing. Your assessment periods and payment date will remain the same as they were when you had a joint claim. The only difference will be your maximum UC entitlement will be less as a single claim. 

Albus_Scope

Heya @Namjin0613 and welcome to the community.

I'm very sorry to hear about your split with your partner, I hope you're doing ok. I can see Poppy has already given you some top advice, but I wanted to stop in and say hi. 

Namjin0613

@poppy123456 thank you so much for the advice. I called this morning and they said the fit note request was an error by the system I was just panicking a lot!

@Albus_Scope thank you for popping in to say hi. I'm understandably not okay right now as it only happened 2 days ago. We were together for over 8 years and I'm just trying to get my finances in order so it's one less thing to worry about. I'm a bit of a mess but I know it's going to take time to heal.

Albus_Scope

I'm so sorry @Namjin0613, please be gentle with yourself. As you said healing takes time, but it does happen.  We're all here if you need to talk about it.  Or if you'd prefer, Samaritans had been really helpful when I had a bad break up and I needed to talk things through with someone. 

 BUT I'm glad the system error was spotted and addressed.