Backpay for LCWRA after moving from LCW group.

AmberLily28

Hello any information would be appreciated.

I started claiming Universal credit back in 2019 and had a health assessment shortly after, where i was placed in the LCW group. In july 2023 i was told by my work coach i was due a new assessment. I recieved my questionaire about my health conditions in november 2023. I then attended my health assessment April 2024. At this health assessment i was told due to worsening of conditions i would be moved to LCWRA group. I recieved my decision letter this week placing me in the LCWRA group.

I was wondering because i wasnt the one who asked for the new health assessment if this means i would not be entitled to backpay? Or does the assessment period count from when i filled in the health questionaire form back in november 2023? 

Thanks im advance for any help and advice.

poppy123456

If this was a review that was started by UC and it seems like it was then the extra money is paid from the assessment period in which the decision was made. 

If you reported changes to your health condition, provided fit notes which prompted them to refer you for another WCA then the increase applies from the assessment period in which you reported those changes. 

AmberLily28

Thanks Poppy.
 
You're correctit was a review started by UC. 

What counts as the assessment period, is it from when you fill the form in til they give you their decision? Or is it from when you attend the health assessment itself and they send the information to the decision maker? 

poppy123456

Your thoughts on what an assessment period is are not correct. Assessment periods for UC are monthly and the first day would be the date you first submitted your claim. They last for 30 days every month. Then 7 days after the end of that period you receive your monthly money. For example, if your payment date is 15th of every month then your APs would be 9th to 8th of every month. 

What date do you usually receive your money and what date was the decision made please?

AmberLily28

Payment date is the 28th.

I received the decision letter on 13th of may. 

poppy123456

Thanks. That means your assessment periods are 22nd to 21st of every month. This means you should receive the LCWRA element in your next payment on 28th May. No LCWRA element is owed. 

You need to make sure you check your next statement to make sure it's included because they don't always get this correct.

Sometimes they will tell you that you have to wait 3 months before the extra money is paid but that's not correct because there's no waiting period for you. 

Please note that my advice assumes you're not claiming UC with a partner that already receives the LCWRA element on your claim. 

AmberLily28

Thank you Poppy you've been a massive help!

AmberLily28

@poppy123456 hello Poppy, ive just seen my payment statement for my may payment (due 28th may) as you said i checked to see if the LCWRA element was added, it was not. I am going to send a message to them asking why and if they can amend this but wanted to ask before i did, why the 3 month waiting period does not apply to me?

Thanks

poppy123456

It doesn't apply because you already had LCW. It only applies if it's a first WCA.

AmberLily28

Thank you poppy, ive sent a message saying this hopefully they can amend this for me.