LCWRA

IonaThistle · January 10

Hi everyone,

After waiting an entire year, I finally had my second assessment for LCWRA on December 27th , exactly two weeks ago today. Does anyone know how much longer I might be waiting for a decision? If the outcome is positive, will it be backdated to December 2023 since the process took so long?

Thanks for any advice!

Kimmy87 · January 10

You mention a second assessment- were you previously given LCW after your first?

If the answer is yes, did you initiate the review by reporting a change in health and supplying Fit Notes, or did the DWP start the review process?

IonaThistle · January 10

Yes, I was awarded LCW in November 2022, following a diagnosis of OCD with my GP. It’s been a long road , two years of assessments and appointments and now under Oxleas mental health services to finally get a full diagnosis. Its taken all this time to get the full picture, starting with my GP’s initial diagnosis. Still waiting for therapy.

Thank you

Kimmy87 · January 10

Did you initiate the review by reporting a change in health and supplying Fit Notes, or did the DWP send you a re assessment form out of the blue?

IonaThistle · January 10

Yes. I was fully diagnosed in November 2023 through Oxley’s Mental Health, with General Anxiety Disorder, Harm OCD, and traits of EUPD. After that, I received forms for a second assessment, it’s taken a year for the appointment to finally come through. It’s been an absolute nightmare.

Kimmy87 · January 10

I asked an either/or questions, and am not sure which part you said yes to.

So here is each scenario covered.

If the DWP sent you the forms out of the blue, then the decision (and payment) backdates only to the Assessment Period in which the LCWRA is awarded, if that is the outcome.

If you reported a change of health and supplied Fit Notes, then the LCWRA would backdate to that date you reported the change.

poppy123456 · January 10

To be clear, is that yes you reported changes to your health condition by reporting changes on your journal and provided fit notes?

Or yes that UC started this review?

To answer your question about a decision this can take anything up to 12 weeks but many have a decision before that.

IonaThistle · January 10

In November 2022, I was initially diagnosed with OCD by my GP, which led to my LCW award. Then, in November 2023, after a year of further assessments I was fully diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder, Harm OCD, and traits of EUPD through Oxlea’s Mental Health services. It took that long to get a complete diagnosis.

I informed Universal Credit as soon as I received the full diagnosis ( Nov 2023 ) and my fit notes have been kept up to date. They informed me in November 2023 that I would be reassessed for LCWRA and its took a whole year to get the assessment appointment, which finally happened on the 27th of December.

I hope this makes things clearer.

IonaThistle · January 10

@poppy123456 thanks for the clarity.

poppy123456 · January 10

Thank you. Then if found to have LCWRA the extra money will be paid from the assessment period in which you reported the changes. No waiting period will apply because you already have LCW.

IonaThistle · 07:01

thats interesting thank you.

Can I ask your advice again please. If found to have LCWRA from December 2023 could I request a Mandatory Reconsideration due to delays in full diagnosis from my initial assessment in November 2022. The full impact of my conditions were not fully recognised and the delay in treatment and full diagnosis has taken 2 years and more. My symptoms, limitations and conditions have been present since my original claim and its taken this long for appointments etc for a formal diagnoses due to waiting times with hospitals, mental health hubs outside my control.