New lcwra claim affected by an appeal?

Zebra35
Zebra35 Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
edited August 4 in Universal Credit (UC)

Hello, I need some advice on my UC claim.

I'll lay it all out and hopefully someone can help, its to do with the new LCWRA lower and higher rates.

Last January I applied for ESA, i done the assessment and was awarded the work related group, i thought this was wrong so I challenged the decision, mandatory reconsideration was denied so i went to the appeals service.

(To this day the appeal is still active as theres a backlog)

After 365 days (this January) I was told by ESA I was no longer able to claim from them and and to move to UC.

UC said they used ESA assessment to put me in the LCW group and I would need another assessment in May. I've done that assessment and was awarded LCWRA but since it was after April deadline I will get the lower rate of LCWRA.

So my question is if my appeal from the original assessment in 2025 is successful and they say I should have been in the support group/LCWRA from the beginning, will I qualify for the higher rate of LCWRA?

Tia

Comments

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 4,887 Online Community Team

    Hi @Zebra35 and welcome to the community. This is a bit complex so I'm not sure what you would be awarded. I'd recommend speaking to a trained benefits adviser; you can find one here https://advicefinder.turn2us.org.uk/ .

  • Emilee
    Emilee Community Member Posts: 145 Empowering

    Hello @Zebra35, yes you will. There will be a mix of underpayments and overpayments (ESA will owe you, but it'll then be taken back from your UC, but UC will also owe you for LCWRA).

    That said, I'm curious why and when they said you'd need a reassessment in May as in some circumstances, even if your assessment wasn't until May you could be entitled to the higher LCWRA rate. When were you told this? Did you supply fit notes to UC from the start of your claim?

Categories