LCW to LCWRA as self employed

nj7700

Hi all,

New here so apologies if my format is incorrect! There have been some really helpful posts and comments on this site, so I'm hoping that someone could shine a light on my situation because I'm in a really bad place at the moment with it all.

I migrated from ESA to UC in December, and am currently LCW. My initial ESA claim was for mental health issues, which have worsened over the years, and I have recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and awaiting further tests for other health issues (debilitating ones).

I am self employed, but my work is basically just that I look after friends dogs while they are at work, their dogs come and stay at my house, so I don't have to go out and I only walk them if I feel up to it, but mostly they just hang out at my house (I live with my dad) and play in our good sized garden.

I'm just wondering whether I could be eligible to move from LCW to LCWRA, even though I'm classed as self employed and am getting a bit of money (below the work allowance amount each month) for looking after friend's dogs?

I'm still new to the whole journal thing, but I reported a change to health condition in the journal a few weeks ago and I thought that would trigger another WCA, but they haven't seemed to have acknowledged my reported change.

Is it possible to change from LCW to LCWRA due to my worsening of health if I'm currently earning a bit of money?

If it makes any difference, I've applied for PIP and am currently waiting for an assessment with them too.

Thanks in advance for any help, I'm really struggling at the moment and I'm very stressed out by it all.

poppy123456

People that have LCWRA also work without any issues. Providing the work you do doesn't contradict there shouldn't be an issues. Have you looked at the descriptors for LCWRA to see if any of them apply? If not you can see them here. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/limited-capability-for-work-related-activity

When you reported changes to your health condition, did you actually click "report a change" then look down the list and click "health" and reported the changes this way? When you do this it will also prompt you to provide a fit note. You must do this and continue to provide them without any gaps until a new decision is made on your work capability assessment.

Once you've done that you should be referred for another WCA and you'll receive a letter on your journal once the referral is made. A few days later you'll receive the UC50 form in the post. The process is the same as it was for your ESA claim.

nj7700

Thank you Poppy, I understand. I have had a look at the descriptors before so will ask for a WCA. Thank you for getting back to me and taking time to read my post.