Can someone plz explain this query?

Jamie12345

Hi, I am new to being on benefits and have little experience with living on my own having been in a relationship for 16 years and working as a HGV driver and also a combat veteran, then suddenly finding myself being made redundant and single in a one bedroom flat. I knew nothing of paying bills or of how the government works with regards to benefits as my other half used to do all that, my role was to earn the money, in which I excelled. Ha.
I was made redundant in June of this year…after being diagnosed with an illness associated with my previous life as a front line combat soldier. I lost my driving licence, so I could not carry on doing the job I have done for the last 21 years! Which led me down a spiralling path of being jobless, useless and eventually single and suicidal. ( you know it’s ironic, I was doing ok until THEY decided I wasn’t, which in turn made me jobless, and then that affected me more than anything)

Anyway I digress, the reason I am posting this is because I was asked to fill a form in. And then they said I limited availability for work and related activity…so I done the old Google and this led me to THIS site and is why I registered because I hear that I will be awarded ‘back pay’ now don’t get me wrong, I don’t want anything for nothing and I’ve never had any handouts of no one all my life…but when I lost my job and got this property I didn’t receive housing benefit fora while and I’m in arrears of £1340 and am being threatened with eviction!!
Now as u can imagine my mental health is already rocky and now I can’t sleep at night with worry…I’m thinking of doing bank robberies (joke…!) no but seriously I am sick with worry about this. I’ve never owed anyone anything in my whole life, I’m 46 yrs old ffs. So I messaged my ‘journal’ and this is what they said.
Hello James,LCWRA has been awarded from 2.9.2025. There is a 91 day qualifying period to serve before the additional element is awarded. It then is added to your UC entitlement from the first full assessment period after the 91 day qualifying period ends:-LCWRA awarded from 2.9.202591 day qualifying period ends 2.12.2025First full assessment period after this date 7.12.2025-6.1.2026.Thanks

Ladies and gentlemen, this is gobbledygook to me, I’m a wagon driver, plz help cos if I AM awarded any extra money I can tell my landlord I am able to pay my arrears and he may not evict me, do u get what I am saying? Anyway sorry for the long post. After this it may be my ‘LAST POST’….if u get my meaning. Regards.

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

Sorry but you are not due any backpay in this case.

Your LCWRA has been awarded very quickly. You will start to get LCWRA added on to your payments from January next year. That is currently an additional £423 a month.

I would recommend contacting a debt agency who can hopefully help with your rent arrears.

Rosie_Scope

Hi @Jamie12345, sorry to hear all you've been through, that's a huge change and I'm sure it took its toll on you. How are you feeling now, are you coping okay?

As OverlyAnxious explained, not everybody gets back pay for LCWRA, and unfortunately there is a wait to start receiving payments.

If you're struggling to cover your rent arrears it may be worth looking into applying for a discretionary housing payment. This can help cover housing costs and you don't have to pay it back: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments

Just editing to add that you might also like to speak to SSAFA if you've served in the armed forces. They may be able to connect you with other sources of financial advice and assistance: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/get-help/welfare-and-benefits/housing-advice/

Hope things start to become easier for you soon.

Jamie12345

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1080445#Comment_1080445

Hey Rosie, thank you for that info, I have since contacted my local council with regards to a discretionary housing payment and they got back to me asking for two months bank statements and a breakdown of my finances. I’ve since attached those to an email and sent it today. So fingers crossed. I just wanna say thanks again. And SSAFA have helped me in the past with funding for my drivers CPC every 5 years (£450) so I was hesitant to approach them about this, although it wasn’t out of the question but tried the DHF first. I can feel the stress melting slightly from my shoulders and I really do appreciate talking to u all and getting things off my chest. I will update in time.

Rachel_Scope

I'm so happy that you're feeling less stressed now. It's always good to talk things through. I look forward to your update.

jonf

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/139604/can-someone-plz-explain-this-query

contact SSAFA.

jonf

Please contact SSAFA when you need a hand as we all need somebody to lean on.