LCWRA question

Wozza

Hi everyone,

I just a little advice please.

I was awarded LCWRA earlier this year, with my first fit note being presented on 1/2/2024, my payment cycle starts on the 18th of the month.

I have started receiving my payments from 18th May, 3 months from the initial fit note date, which is what I expected, but would I be due any backdated payment from the fit note submission date of 1st February to the payment cycle starting on the 18th February?

I have asked via my online journal and the reply stated that this is included in my payment statement and payments are only calculated on a month to month basis.

My payment statements only show LCWRA payments starting from the 18th May, and no mention of the gap from the 1st of May.

Hope that makes sense and any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

poppy123456

Unfortunately no you will not be entitled to any money for that short period due to the relevant period that needs to be served before the extra money is paid from. UC doesn't work with part months, it's the whole month that counts.

For LCWRA element there's a full 3 month assessment period waiting time. The extra money is then paid from the 4th month after you provided your first fit note, which first payment being the end of that month because UC is paid 1 month in arrears.

When you refer to your "payment cycle" do you mean your assessment periods start on 18th of the month? or do you mean that's when you usually receive your money each month?

Wozza

Thanks for the quick reply.

My assessment period starts on the 18th and payments received on the 24th.

It was just a bit confusing as I've waited the full 3 months plus 17 days as far as I can tell, but it appears as they don't do part months, I lose the 17 days from the fit note submission date 1/2/24 until my assessment period date 18/2/24?

poppy123456

You haven’t lost out on anything. The LCWRA starts from when you provided your first fit note. Then you have 3 full assessment periods to wait before the extra money starts from.

As your first fit note was provided in the middle of assessment period 18th Jan to 17th Feb, that doesn’t count.

Your waiting period will be Feb/March, March/April, April/May because that’s 3 full APs. LCWRA then starts from AP 18th May to 17th June and first payment is 24th June which covers the period May/June.

Your UC entitlement is based on your circumstances on the last day of each AP. There’s no such thing as part of an AP.

Wozza

Yep, fully understamd now, thanks.

Just odd they don't actually start it from the fit note date and use the next assessment date as the start.

Thanks for the info

poppy123456

This is where you're not understanding it. They do award from the fit note date BUT then you have the relevant period to wait for the extra money to be paid, as I advised above. See link.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/376/regulation/28

Wozza

Please don't think I am disagreeing with you I just haven't got my head around it it seems.

I'm just seeing that as my assessment period is in the middle of the month, they are starting payments from then, which I expected, but they don't take into account the fit note date of the 1st as it was on the middle of an assessment period, so it's 3 months wait from the next assessment date after the fit note was submitted. Just struggling to see how I'm not missing out on the 17 days before that as you said they've awarded it from the fit note date.

Apologies, I appreciate you probably explain these situations over and over on here!

poppy123456

I know you're not disagreeing with me. I'm just trying to explain it to you. Your assessment periods being in the middle of the month is irrelevant. It's because you provided that first fit note in the middle of your AP. Had you provided it on 18th January then the extra money would have been paid 1 month earlier.

No need to apologise, UC is complicated for many people.

Wozza

Yeah using part months doesn't help in this situation.

Also waiting 3 months seems a bit odd, are they waiting to see if you miraculously get better or even croak? 😅

But that's how it works, so at least I know now.

Noidea19

it’s the most frustrating benefit I’ve ever come across. You ring UC and get told a the wrong information. You leave a journal message that either gets ignored or not answered correctly.

They leave people in the dark just wondering what an earth will happen. At least this forum is full of people that will help as best they can.

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/892954#Comment_892954

What I find funny is that they call it UC “helpline” 😂they are as helpful as a chocolate teapot a lot of the time. They are definitely not benefits advisors.

Wozza

Definitely an odd process with this benefit!

'Your claim has been approved from the fit note date, but we're not paying you for the first 3 months' errr okay

'oh and we don't do part months, so you'll lose those days as well' ummm oooooookay🙄

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/893495#Comment_893495

UC has never paid part months. It's the same for all elements and not just LCWRA. There will be some winners and some losers. Same applies for housing element if you move house, if you move before the last day of your assessment period and your rent is lower than previously then you'll be paid that lower amount for that month.

Wozza

Yeah I see how it all works now, I only needed to claim UC last December due to ill health, so it's all a bit new and a touch confusing until you get your head around it.

It's the 'winners and losers' bit that seems unfair, and not just because it affects me negatively, but it is what is.

Thanks for the advice 👍🏼