From LCW to LCWRA

dannw33

So I’ve been on lcw since 2019 and in December 2023 I got a message saying I was being reassessed so I filled out the form and sent it in January 2024. October 4th 2024 I had a phone assessment and today 10th October I got a letter saying I have been awarded lcwra. But I’m really confused as to when I will get paid & if I’m owed any money. The letter said In most cases, you will be entitled to LCWRA payments from 3 months after the day you gave us medical evidence showing that your condition means you cannot work. Changes to your payments will show up on your statement when they happen. Your extra LCWRA payment will not include any back payment for the relevant period. If we owe you some money as a result of this decision, we will tell you when you will get it. I phoned uc but the person didn’t really seem to know when I was getting paid and he said I probably won’t get my first payment until February but from what I’ve seen on the internet, I should get paid soon as it wasn’t a new claim. I get paid on the 19th of every month and I find out what I get around the 15th. Has anyone experienced this going from lcw to lcwra? Because I’m so confused wether I’ll get it soon and if I’ll get any back pay. Thank you.

poppy123456

If this was a normal review started by DWP then the extra money will be from the assessment period in which the decision was made. No money is owed and there's no waiting period.

There would only be money owed if you reported changes to your health condition, provided a fit note and this prompted them to refer you.

Kimi87

I believe when going from LCW to LCWRA the 3 month waiting period doesn't apply, instead it starts from the date of the decision.

JSH2644

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/920909#Comment_920909

Hi, I also am confused with almost the exact same situation except I reported health changes to start the referral to the health assessment advisory service. This was on 29th January 2024 and I got referred on the 31st January. Filled in questionnaire on 12th February and sent it back. Had video call assessment on 21st August and was moved to LCWRA on 13 September. Enquired about any owed money today (11 October) to be told “Unfortunately there are no arrears for LCWRA owed to you, this is because the decision maker determined that it should only be awarded from the 13 September 2024. The additional amount for LCWRA was included as part of your payment on the 25 September 2024 for the period of the 19 August to 18 September 2024.”

Emilee

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/921186#Comment_921186

It sounds as though you have good grounds for appeal of the start date, since you initiated the review by reporting a change in health condition.

JSH2644

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/921424#Comment_921424

How would I go about appealing?

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/921443#Comment_921443

First step is to request the Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) you can do that on your journal. Tell them you disagree with the decision to start it from X date. Tell them that you reported changes to your health condition on X date, though you should have sent fit notes to support the worsening of condition. Then just remind them that because you reported the changes the extra money should be from the assessment period in which the changes were reported.

JSH2644

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/921446#Comment_921446

Is the fit note part important? I haven’t had a fit note for years after being put on LCW and I haven’t even seen or spoken to a doctor in years due to my mental health conditions. My work coach advised I should have been on LCWRA this entire time and helped me (well my mum who is my official appointee) report a change to my health there and then to trigger a referral.

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/921486#Comment_921486

Usually they ask for fit notes when reporting changes to your health condition.

JSH2644

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/921530#Comment_921530

I don’t know then, definitely didn’t ask for a fit note. As I said, work coach recommended reporting change as she was angry I wasn’t already on LCWRA. She walked my mother through the process step by step on the phone and the reported changes are on my journal. 2 days later got referred to health assessment advisory service.

JSH2644

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/921446#Comment_921446

This is the reply I’ve just received which I don’t really understand: “It has been awarded from the start date of that assessment period, while the decision was made to award LCWRA from the 13/09/2024, the additional amount is payable from the beginning of that assessment period 19/08/2024 – 18/09/2024 this is because the decision was made inside of this assessment period.”