UC backdate and info on how the whole process works

Aix

Hi all, I have recently had a surgery on the 22nd of July 2024 and . I am due a second surgery around the end of November 2024. My surgeon reckons I'll be off work till summer 2025. I have recently applied for UC and sent my first fit note on 24th July 2024. I have also sent a second fit not which runs through till 23rd of December 2024 I also completed and sent my UC50 form around the 8th of August 2024 and got an acknowledgement from DWP. I have had a telephone assessment as my condition meant I couldn't do a face to face assessment with UC health assessor. My questions are when does my 3 months waiting period starts and ends? When do I get a decision from DWP if I'm eligible for LCWRA and do I get any back pay for the 3months waiting period?

Thanks a lot

poppy123456

Decisions can take up to 12 weeks but often much sooner than that if you have access to a journal.

If found to have LCWRA the waiting period starts from when you provided your first fit note. It's 3 full assessment periods and then extra money is paid from the 4th month with first payment being the end of that month. LCWRA is not paid at all during the waiting period.

When it's paid from for you will depend on what date you usually receive your money each month.

Aix

Hi, that's very helpful thanks, my pay normal comes in on the 15th of the month so I'm guessing if I do get awarded LCWRA I'll get an increase pay within the following month assessment period? Also does this mean I get a bit more reduced in my council tax? At the moment I have a single person's discount on my council tax as I live alone. Since applying for UC my council tax got reduced to £35 a month for about 2 months then they wrote to me and said my council tax reduced has change back to £81 a month which was what I paid on a single person's discount prior to my surgery. I call them up and they said my discount has already been applied and I'm not eligible for any further discount for now. Since my surgery, money has been tight and for the first time in my life I've fallen behind on my bills and I feel so ashamed of it and just can't do much about my situation for now. I don't like asking for help as I've always been very independent but I feel so helpless now and had to reach out here to get some advise so I appreciate your kind words and views on this thanks a lot

Kimi87

Council Tax is difficult to advise on, as each local authority has different rules.

Single persons discount is a Council Tax Discount (national scheme).

Have you applied for Council Tax Reduction (local scheme)?

Usually dealt with by benefits section of local authority.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/council-tax/applying-for-council-tax-reduction/

https://www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction

poppy123456

That means your waiting period will be Aug/Sept, Sept/Oct, Oct/Nov.. LCWRA starts from 9th Nov to 8th December and first payment will be 15th Decision. If a decision is made before that time then no LCWRA element will be owed.

If you were receiving earnings since you provided your first fit note and you don't currently have the work allowance then you will be owed some money from that.

I'm afraid I can't advise about council tax reduction because all Local Authorities have their own rules and they are all different.

Unless you live in Scotland have you also looked at claiming PIP? It's a disability benefit which isn't means tested. However, you must have experienced the difficulties for at least 3 months and expect them to last at least a further 9 months. If so, whether there's any entitlement will depend on how your conditions affect you. There's some information in the links.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/

This link is a long read but well worth taking some time to have a read before deciding whether to apply.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria#daily-living-activities

Aix

Hi Kimmy87, yes I applied for council tax support which saw my council tax go down to £35 a month for about 2or 3 month then recent I had a letter advising that my council tax is going back up to what I was paying as a single person. When I called them to query this they said they have already applied the discount for council tax support to my council tax account so I'm not due anymore discount. They also added that if I was awarded the LCWRA my council tax may be reduced but for now there's nothing else they could do for me

Aix

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/920548#Comment_920548

Thanks a lot for those insights, I'm currently on pip higher mobility element sti waiting on a decision for the daily living element of it. As per the council tax I just don't get why they reduce it from £81 a month on a single person's status to £35 a month after I reported my change of circumstances due to my surgery only to then find out that my council tax had gone back up to £81 a month after 3months. I personally thought that once the council tax support discount was added it should run for ad long as my circumstances remained the same. I might have to call them up again to get more clarity as I'm currently strangling as getting behind on my bills. Just can wait to get back to normal and go back to work. Unfortunately that won't happen until at least summer next year.

Kimi87

I think calling them again to get more clarity, is a good idea 😊

You already get single persons discount, but it seems to me like you should get more CTR, it's difficult to advise as each local area sets the rules for that help.

Aix

Thanks a lot I will do that today 😊