Advice re LCWRA

Bellarina

I hope it's okay to ask for advice here on LCWRA.

I have been on UC with LCW for over two years due to depression and anxiety, quite severe back in 2022 when the LCW aspect began.

In April 2024, I was diagnosed with a serious heart condition, and I am waiting for surgery. At the time, I had minimal symptoms. I reported this to the DWP/my work coach.

In August 2024, I filled a UC50 form in re my current state of health. I had improved mentally but was still struggling, and now I also had the heart condition, which I wrote about. I have not heard back from the relevant DWP dept on that.

I am now having symptoms from my heart condition, and I anticipate these will worsen until surgery in March/April 2025 (I hope). I no longer feel able to work or prepare for work. (Realistically, who's going to offer me a job anyway? I'm 63, suffer from depression and anxiety, have a heart condition and will be unable to work for 2-3 months next year.) I have reported a change in health condition to the DWP and asked if I can be assessed re a move to LCWRA. My work coach has written back that he will ask if it would be a possibility to reassess me and send me a UC50 form. He has also said that LCWRA does not mean extra money. From what I've read on gov.uk and citizens advice, it does, so I'm confused. And if I report a change in health condition, shouldn't it be automatic that I'm reassessed?

Finally, if it's taking the DWP six months to process claims and if LCWRA really does mean no extra support, is there any point me going through the application or pushing to be put through it?

Feeling quite hopeless. And wondering why my mum, who lived longer than I likely will, was on a full pension when she was three years younger than me! I can only dream….

JonnycJonny

We cannot say whether you would be assessed as having LCWRA - it will depend on your inability to carry out the activities set out in the UC50, any evidence you can provide in support of your functional limitations, the assessor's judgement and the DWP decision - BUT what we can say categorically is that you would be entitled to an extra amount of benefit if you are put in that group . Your work coach is wrong.

Best wishes

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

The LCWRA element of UC is an additional £416.19 per month.

However, it is not payable if you have a partner who already gets LCWRA.

It is also not possible to claim both LCWRA and Carers Element at the same time. So if you're claiming Carers Element now then that would be switched to LCWRA. Though, as LCWRA pays more than CE, you would still get more money in that case.

And if you have Transitional Protection due to migrating from legacy benefits, then gaining LCWRA does erode that element. If you only started UC as a fresh claim in 2022 then that doesn't apply to you.

Unfortunately the Work Coaches aren't all experts on LCWRA or other elements of UC. Their main job is to get people back into work, it's not uncommon for them to give incorrect advice.

Bellarina

Thanks. None of those things apply to me, so I should be eligible. Whether I'd meet the criteria or not, I don't know. But I think it's worth trying.

Surely work coaches ought to at least google these things before (mis)informing clients! 🙄