UC, LCWRA and pension question

Lynn0732

Hello everyone

Lynn0732

I applied for UC on the 10/9/24, following a call for my initial assessment I then submitted my sick note and kept sending sick notes in,.no gaps in dates.

Had my face to face health assessment 3 weeks ago and was awarded lcwra

I had a message on the journal telling me I no longer need to send in any more sick notes.

I wasn't given any basic UC due to getting my NHS pension, I was pensioned off due to ill health.

My latest assessment period ended today and my payment for Dec 16th is zero.

How long will I have to wait to receive any payment?

Is any of the lcwra payment deducted, my NHS pension is classed as income.

Many thanks

Jane315STARX

Hi Lynn0732

Kimi87

LCWRA has a waiting period of three full assessment periods, from the date the first Fit Note was handed in. No money is paid or subsequently owed for that period.

After the waiting period LCWRA element (£416.19) will be added to your UC entitlement and then the pension deducted.

You could try a benefits calculator

https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Lynn0732

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/953045#Comment_953045

Thanks for your reply Kimmy87.

Hopefully, I should see some cash land in my bank account in January 2025🤞

poppy123456

If you provided your first fit note within 7 days of submitting your claim then your waiting period will be as follows..

Sept/Oct, Oct/Nov, Nov/Dec.. LCWRA starts from assessment period 10th Dec to 9th January and first payment will be 16th January.

Whether there's any entitlement will depend on how much your pension is because it's deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

Have you also looked at claiming New style ESA? This isn't means tested like UC is and pensions of up to £85/week are ignored. For every £1 of pension over that amount your ESA is deducted by 50p/week.

For a claim for New style ESA now you will need the correct NI contributions in tax years 2021/22 and 2022/23 so whether there's entitlement will depend on when you finished work. See link.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance

You will not need to go through another work capability assessment for this and you'll be placed into the Support Group (same as LCWRA for UC) from the 14th week of your claim. It can also be backdated for a maximum of 3 months, providing you weren't claiming SSP from an employer at that time.

If you claim both ESA and UC together the ESA is deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

ESA weekly rate for 13 weeks is £90.50 and £138.20/week from the 14th week. ( minus any potential deductions for your pension)

Lynn0732

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/953118#Comment_953118

Thanks for your reply Poppy123456

I would not be eligible for the new ESA as I've not worked since Feb 2020.

I never claimed ESA when I was first pensioned off as I didn't think I'd be eligible.

The lcwra payment, even after deductions will make a big difference for me.

poppy123456

You're welcome. Oh that's a shame you didn't apply, there's many people that didn't when they could have and missed out. I'm glad the LCWRA element will help!