Can LCWRA be backdated?

jane_brunt

Hi, this is my first post. I have a 20 year old son who has Down syndrome. Until his 20th birthday, he was included in our tax credits but now he claims universal credit. I had to apply on his behalf and I am now his appointee. I have provided the DWP with a fit note from the GP that states that my son will not be expected to work, at all. My son gets PIP and I have provided those documents too. ( He gets the enhanced rate). 
At first, I was told that he will have to attend commitment meetings, regardless of his disability. This is absurd and I, obviously,disputed this. I explained, over and over, that he obviously has limited capability to work and was told that he would only get the basic amount until he gets a work capability assessment! Even though he has already had an assessment for PIP and it is in date until 2020 and the GP had provided an indefinite fit note! After many phone calls and emails to the manager at the job centre, an appeasement was put on the commitment meetings and eventually a decision has been made to put him in the LCWRA group ( without a WA). However, his new payments will not be paid until October and WILL NOT be backdated! How is this fair? My son has a life long disability that will never change. It’s bad enough that we are reminded of this constantly but have to prove it all the time. Now they have placed him in the appropriate group, after weeks of stress (and very little money) but will not give him what he’s entitled to.
my question is... do we have any chance of getting his money backdated to the start of the claim?

poppy123456

Hi,

The extra money paid for LCWRA isn't paid until the 14th week of your claim. Unfortunately this is the rules and they apply to everyone and it's not anything to do with your son having a life long disability. You don't stand any chance of having this money backdated to the start of the UC because the first 13 weeks are called assessment rate. See this link and scroll down for work capability assessment for  confirmation of the 13 week assessment rate. 
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/universal-credit-for-disabled-people

jane_brunt

Thank you for your advice.I thought that the waiting time didn’t apply to certain illnesses or disabilities, and under certain circumstances there is no need for a work capability assessment. I assumed, given that I had already provided evidence and a decision was made for my son without a work capability assessment, that there was nothing to assess. It was clear from the start that my son has LCWRA so the 13 weeks seem really unnecessary and unfair.

poppy123456

I'm afraid you're wrong again on the 13 weeks assessment period and I don't know where you got that from.  Everyone has to wait 13 weeks, what ever your condition because it's the rules.  Yes, there's some people who have paper based assessments, just like this is for PIP. This doesn't mean that for UC and ESA you don't have that 13 week assessment period. Unfair or not, there's nothing you can do to get backdated money because there's none to get. At least it's over now and you can relax. 

jane_brunt

I may be wrong, that’s why I joined this forum as I don’t understand the system. 
It seems ludicrous for someone to say “yes, you are entitled to money....but you can’t have it for 3 months....just ‘because’! 
But, as you say, rules are rules, we’ll just have to get in with it. I’m just thankful my son has a family to support him.

Lammy

Hi Jane,  I'm going through a similar thing with my son who has autism, severe learning difficulties, OCD and anxiety.  At 20 years old and his application for UC, I was shocked in the drop in income from what he was entitled to as a child.  The agent at the job centre did not tell me about the LCWRA we could apply for but wrote on his file 'Low capability for work and work related activity'.  After making enquiries I have been told that we have to ask for a work capability assessment which I have done, though I wish I'd done this sooner had I known.  We are currently waiting for the forms in the post, but after reading your post I'm wondering if we needed to do this after all.  It is so difficult getting information about this and the government website isn't clear at all.  My son has to pay a portion of his income towards his care package and also 15% council tax out of the basic UC rate.  If he didn't have PIP we wouldn't be able to pay household bills, which is not what PIP was designed for.  My son is attending a special needs college at the moment learning life skills, so he would not be available for work anyway.  My heart goes out to you and all those parents out there, many of them single, trying to struggle by with a disabled young adult.  As if life isn't difficult enough for us anyway, without all this extra hassle.

hellsbells42

I know this is an old post, but I totally agree wirh tou @jane_brunt. I got a letter on my journal 2 weeks ago stating I can get LCWRA, but I wouldn’t get it til end of Feb! I dont get why if I’m entitled NOW!! As for the 13 weeks, it will be 19 from when I first handed in my sick notes so why they state 13 I dont know. Its so unfair!!!

Lammy

Hi there,
My son had to wait 18 weeks in all for his LWCRA benefit.  They told me it was 14 weeks plus 4 weeks because the benefit is paid in arrears.  Yet we still were accountable for my son's contributions to his social care during this time gap.  An agent at the DWP said there was no reason for this other than a cost cutting exercise.  It's deplorable that the government can take advantage of disabled people in this way.  I had to sub him out of my state pension which I could ill afford.  We had a pretty sparse Christmas as a result.  I would NEVER vote Conservative EVER.  They will do anything for the rich while they walk all over the vulnerable.  We are insignificant to them.  I wish there was something we could do about it.  If anyone has any ideas, please post them here.

poppy123456

LCWRA is paid from the 4th month of the claim and this starts from when you handed in your first sick note. It was the same for ESA, assessment rate for this was/is 13 weeks.

hellsbells42

Or longer if they can get away with it!! Thats terrible @Lammy. Im similar to your son then as I will be waiting 19 weeks 😡😡

poppy123456

Yes, it can very often be longer than this. Some people are waiting several months for the assessment. If this happens and they're given LCWRA then their money is backdated to the 4th month of their claim, so nothing is lost and no one misses out.

When i first claimed ESA i wait 1 year for my assessment. I was eventually placed into the Support Group (LCWRA) i was then backdated all my money to the 14th week of my claim. Yes, i had to wait a very long time but the money was nice when i eventually had it.

clark97

If youre on unirversal credit there is a 3 month assesment period starting from the date you handed in medical evidence to the dwp, after 3 months you should receive a work capability assessment, if it takes longer than 3 months to receieve the assesment and your found the have LCWRA then your claim will be backdated to this point. Its worth having a look on the "entitled to" website 

Pippa_Alumni

Welcome to the community, @clark97!

Milliemoo81

Hello 😀

I have been claiming Universal Credit and my 14 week assessment period ended in August. I sent off my form in November along with my medical evidence, I have BPD, PTSD and suffer from severe depression and anxiety. I have just been told that I don’t have to attend a Work Capability Assessment and that the DWP will write to me with a decision. Does this mean I will be put in the LCWRA group ? And if so will I receive any backdated money ? I just really don’t understand the benefits system so any help with this will be very much appreciated as the constant worrying and waiting is causing me a lot of distress. Thank you x

Lammy

Hi there.
They told me exactly that about my son.  He wouldn't have to attend a work capability assessment since they had enough information in the LCWRA application form.  We received a decision about 10 days later and he got the benefit, payable from after the 14 weeks 'relevant' period which he received 5 weeks after that because it's paid 4 weeks in arrears plus 1 week late.
You should get backdated money to August, if that was when your 14 weeks ended.  I hope this makes sense.  They couldn't make it more complicated if they tried.  Good luck!

Milliemoo81

Thank you for replying to me 😊 I hope I hear something soon, it has made me feel a little better now I have had it explained to me from you as they don’t make it easy for people who don’t understand how it works, I will keep my fingers crossed.

poppy123456

The good news is you can't be found fit for work without a face to face but you can be given LCW or LCWRA.

If it's LCWRA then the extra is paid from the 4th month of your claim and this starts from when you handed in your first sick/fit note, this is called the "waiting period" for UC.

If the decision takes longer than 4 months then you will be backed the money you're owed. If the decision is made before the 4th month, you won't be paid any extra until this time.

Lammy

Hello again,
I'd just like to say my son did not have to submit any sick / fit notes at all, and his LCWRA was still payable from the 14th week of his UC claim.  

poppy123456

Lammy said:

Hello again,
I'd just like to say my son did not have to submit any sick / fit notes at all, and his LCWRA was still payable from the 14th week of his UC claim.  

There must have been a reason for that. Was he previously claiming ESA?

Lammy

No he was previously classed as a child and I got child tax credits for him plus PIP and child benefit.

laurae

Hi sorry to jump on ur post.. my husband has been on uc for almost 2 years his disability has always been recorded on there just started handing in sick notes jan but we were never told he needed to hand these in to receive the work capability assesment... would we be able to get this back dated to the start of our claim.... the doctor has already provided a backdated sick note from when our claim started 

hellsbells42

They will give you/him a UC50 form to fill in x

Lammy

Hi Laurae, The LWCRA benefit is only payable 3 months after your first UC payment, so you cannot get it backdated any further back than that.  It's unfair, but those are the rules, and the DWP don't offer this information at the initial job centre interview.  The UC 50 form you will have to ask for either by phone or in your journal - I did both since no-one is in a hurry to respond to journal entries unfortunately.  The form is 30 pages long.  Include as many professionals names and contact details involved with your husband, and give as much info as possible - letters, reports, prescription lists, etc.  if you send enough info he may not require a face to face assessment.  Good luck.

laurae

Thanks we have already filled this in and sent it off was received last Friday so now just a waiting game.... what I am asking thou if he is awarded the lcwra will they back date it to the 3 month after we claimed although he didn’t submit sick notes till that jan there but doctor has backdated the sick note 

hellsbells42

I got (& was told) its 3 months from when you first hand ur sick note in. Mine was actually 15 weeks, but I was awarded it on 6th Jan but my first payment I didnt get til end of Feb!!

laurae

Will that go by jan or the backdated 1 sorry we have only just found out he could claim this 

hellsbells42

Yes its annoying, I wasnt told about it for ages and didnt realise what I could claim! It will go from when he handed his sick note in, in Jan.

laurae

Ah that’s great thanks so there was no need to hand the backdated 1 in... our advisor told us to get the backdated 1 as his disabilities has always been on our claim they have just never picked up on it before as he is a Carer to our daughter 

poppy123456

laurae said:

Hi sorry to jump on ur post.. my husband has been on uc for almost 2 years his disability has always been recorded on there just started handing in sick notes jan but we were never told he needed to hand these in to receive the work capability assesment... would we be able to get this back dated to the start of our claim.... the doctor has already provided a backdated sick note from when our claim started 

I'm afraid it won't be backdated to the date he started claiming UC. The waiting period starts from when you hand in your first sick/fit note and not from when you start your claim. See link and scroll down to waiting period. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Universal_Credit_Work_Capability_Assessment

If he's successfully given LCWRA then the extra payments will start from the 4th month of the claim from when you hand in your first sick/fit note.

laurae

He started handing them in jan 2019 so if awarded it should start April is that correct 

hellsbells42

about then x

laurae

Sorry to be a pain..... would he be able to challenge y he was never asked for a fit note before now 

hellsbells42

no I don't think so. Tbh they're not bothered cos it means they wouldn't have had to pay you before now, do you know what I mean?

laurae

Yeh I get what ur saying thanks you for your help

poppy123456

laurae said:

Sorry to be a pain..... would he be able to challenge y he was never asked for a fit note before now 

If sick notes were handed in in January, if he's successfully awarded LCWRA then the extra payment will start from May. If he started his claim after April 2017 and he's given LCW then he won't receive any extra payments.

It's a claimant responsibility to know what they should be claiming, so challenging it most likely won't be possible.

laurae

Our claim started April 2017..... this wasn’t picked up on thou as he is a Carer for our daughter and we have had a lot of mishaps on our claim regulating everything 

poppy123456

If he's claiming the carers element of UC then he won't be able to claim the LCWRA element at the same time. For this reason then it would be better if you claim the carers element for your daughter.

laurae

Yes we already know this but got told the lcwra is more than Carers element 

hellsbells42

If you are saying you are unfit to work, you cant be spending more than 35 hours a week to look after someone. 

hellsbells42

Tell him to claim LCWRA instead 👍

laurae

Can I ask y that is please 

hellsbells42

R u asking me hun? If someone is stating they are unfit for work, then they look at it as you are too ill to be caring for someone else. Full time caring is a big job in itself.

laurae

Yes if he gets the lcwra he will loose the Carers element but can still claim Carers allowance 

laurae

Oh yes I know that we have 2 kids on the spectrum diagnosed and husband is in the process of being diagnosed aswell 

hellsbells42

Not that im aware of

laurae

That is what we have been advised if he gets lcwra he will loose Carers element but can still claim Carers allowance 

hellsbells42

laurae

Carers allowance is separate and dosnt get paid by uc 

hellsbells42

I know but as far as I’m aware you cannot claim both. If you are too ill to work and claim LCWRA, then you’re not fit enough to be looking after someone full time.

poppy123456

Carers allowance can still be claimed separately but it's deducted £1 for £1 from your UC payments. There's no advantage to claiming carers allowance and UC other than being credited with class 1 NI credits.

laurae

Yes that’s y he is still going to claim if he gets awarded the lcwra 

poppy123456

If you are able to claim the carers element yourself for looking after your daughter then you'll be better off doing this.

earthchild23

Hi 
is anybody aware of the award period of LCWRA, on UC? As when it was added to my claim I wasn’t given an award period. I,e for a year, two years, indefinitely. As you would with DLA OR PIP. 

Thanks 

hellsbells42

I have written and asked on my journal twice in the last 2 weeks @earthchild23 and no-one ever gets back to me. I was awarded it in Jan this year but I have no idea how long for!!

poppy123456

UC LCWRA and ESA award letters never have dates on them, this is because it's for an indefinite period of time but they can re-assess you anytime from 3 months.

If you ring they give you a time frame but it's just a guide and nothing more.

deano5278

how long did it take you guys to here from the dicison maker from when u made your claim please ive been waiting just over 5months now thanks

poppy123456

deano5278 said:

how long did it take you guys to here from the dicison maker from when u made your claim please ive been waiting just over 5months now thanks

Hi,

Have you been referred for a work capability assessment?

sarahjayne79

Sorry to jump on this old post. But I was in the lcw group, just been put in the lcwra group. When will my extra money start? Any ideas?

poppy123456

sarahjayne79 said:

Sorry to jump on this old post. But I was in the lcw group, just been put in the lcwra group. When will my extra money start? Any ideas?

Hi,

Great news. It's from the date of the decision, so it should be paid in your next payment.

sarahjayne79

poppy123456 said:

sarahjayne79 said:

Sorry to jump on this old post. But I was in the lcw group, just been put in the lcwra group. When will my extra money start? Any ideas?

Hi,

Great news. It's from the date of the decision, so it should be paid in your next payment.

So it goes from today then? Do they ever back date till the day I sent from back? Gutted as my assessment period ended yesterday too 

poppy123456

If you had reported a worsening of condition then yes it would have been backdated. If you didn't then it will be from the date of the decision.

sarahjayne79

I was put on lcw group for the same condition as the lcwra group. So I might have it back dated a few mo this then. Just waiting on letter to see when I got it from and when too. My condition is never going to get better, thanks 

poppy123456

It doesn't matter if it's the same condition or not, because it's a review, it's from the date of the decision. The same rules apply to those claiming ESA.

poppy123456

I have a feeling they don't send letters for UC WCA decisions. This is because the decision will be on your journal.

Adrian_Scope

They don't often post hard copies of letters, but they usually upload a copy of the decision letter to your journal.

sarahjayne79

My condition has gotten worse since the last time I went to a f2f. They told me on the journal, but doesn't say how long I have it for. The lcw was only for 6 months but was back dated for over a year. I have fibromyalgia, it's never going to get better. It says they have posted a letter and it will tell me if I will get any back dated money or not. Plus hopefully tell me how long I have the lcwra for. 

poppy123456

There's never any length of time on any award letter for the WCA, for this you'll need to ring UC and ask. This is because you can be re-assessed anytime from 3 months.

kityrs

Hiya , late to this thread but I work very few hours.  I have many health conditions. I’m on universal credit and they put me forward for the work capability assessment after a few health issues. I had my assment in June and got a letter on my journal a couple days ago saying I’ve been awarded the limited capability for work and work related activity part. I just wondered I’ve seen a lot of people saying you wait 4 months for the additional payment , nothing like that’s has been mentioned on my award letter. My next uc payment is 17th , Is it likely to Be included or I have to wait 4 months from the decision? 

Sorry long winded thank you for any help. 😊😊😊😊

poppy123456

kityrs said:

Hiya , late to this thread but I work very few hours.  I have many health conditions. I’m on universal credit and they put me forward for the work capability assessment after a few health issues. I had my assment in June and got a letter on my journal a couple days ago saying I’ve been awarded the limited capability for work and work related activity part. I just wondered I’ve seen a lot of people saying you wait 4 months for the additional payment , nothing like that’s has been mentioned on my award letter. My next uc payment is 17th , Is it likely to Be included or I have to wait 4 months from the decision? 

Sorry long winded thank you for any help. 😊😊😊😊

HI,

Great news.

Yes, there's a waiting period of 3 months for the LCWRA from the date you sent in your first fit note. This means that the extra £336 is paid from the 4th month of your claim. If the decision took longer than this time then you'll be backdated any money owed.

See link and scroll down to waiting period. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Universal_Credit_Work_Capability_Assessment

kityrs

I believe the first time I sent a sick not in was back at the end of April so should be in next month payment I think if I understood correctly. 

Thank you 

Josy

Hi sorry for another jumper in but feel so confused. 
Been claiming uc since April 2018 with my partner handing in sick notes. Only this year He was called for an assessment which would have done at the beginning if we knew! So this April was assessed then had the letter in June to say He has been awarded extra money for LCW. I was told by uc that after the 13 week period the payments will be starting in our August pay. BUT the statement had nothing on so i rang uc in which they now say we will have payments in September! Is this right??? I feel uc has not been honest with us. They tell me one thing then not do it. Why can't I be told the right date when the payments will start? Help?! 

poppy123456

Josy said:

Hi sorry for another jumper in but feel so confused. 
Been claiming uc since April 2018 with my partner handing in sick notes. Only this year He was called for an assessment which would have done at the beginning if we knew! So this April was assessed then had the letter in June to say He has been awarded extra money for LCW. I was told by uc that after the 13 week period the payments will be starting in our August pay. BUT the statement had nothing on so i rang uc in which they now say we will have payments in September! Is this right??? I feel uc has not been honest with us. They tell me one thing then not do it. Why can't I be told the right date when the payments will start? Help?! 

Hi,

If the decision was LCW then because the claim started after April 2017 then there won't be any extra money each month. If the decision was LCWRA then backdated money will be from the 4th month of the claim from when the first fit note was sent.

Josy

Poppy, I think it is LCWRA as they said how much he will be getting extra and that he does not need to hand in any more doc notes or do anything until they get in touch in future. 
When you say from when the first fit note does that mean from April 2018 or when they sent him for assessment this April? 

poppy123456

Please take a look at the journal again to see if it says Limited capability for work related activity (LCWRA) if it's this then £336 per month is paid from the 4 month after the first fit note was sent. This means that if the first one was sent in April 2018 then he will be backdated to August 2018.

If the decision was made in June and it's definitely LCWRA then they should have paid the backdated money by now and added the extra element onto the monthly amount.

Josy

Poppy thank you for your help. I looked and it is LCWRA with that amount. UC told me it will be in the September payment which I think it should have been this month. I have a feeling they counted 4 months from April this year so it missed August payment date. Thank you again I know it is late in the night. 

poppy123456

Josy said:

 I have a feeling they counted 4 months from April this year so it missed August payment date. Thank you again I know it is late in the night. 

If this is what they've done this is not correct, if fit notes were being sent continuously since April 2018.

Adrian_Scope

Hello @Josy and welcome to the community. It does sound as though they have counted from April this year and not April 2018 when you started handing the fit notes in. It should be the from the first assessment period after 3 FULL assessment periods of handing the fit note in. 
I hope you manage to get this resolved quickly. Let us know how you get on.

Norfolk123

Good Morning, I have recently been awarded LCWRA and I have just phoned UC as I have not received a letter from them (after 7days as stated informing me of backdated award). The lady told me that they do not send out these letters if you are not due any backdated money. My query is my claim started on 5th April this year and I have provided sick notes since then (I now no longer need to) surely the extra money should be due from July and not August as I have just been informed? I'm confused LOL x

Adrian_Scope

Hi @Norfolk123.
What is your assessment period and what date did you first declare a fit note? I can try and help you calculate this. 

Norfolk123

My Fit note started 3rd April and I was assessed on 16th July. 

Adrian_Scope

Hi @Norfolk123. I'm not a benefits expert, but from my understanding, it’s 3 full assessment periods before first payment.

You said your claim started on the 5th April, so I assume your assessment periods are 5th to the 4th. As long as you declared your fit note (dated 3rd April) at the start of your claim I believe it'd work like this:
5th April - 4th May: No LCWRA
5th May - 4th June: No LCWRA
5th June - 4th July: No LCWRA
5th July - 4th August: First LCWRA payment (which should be paid around 11th August.)

In your 11th August payment I believe you should receive your £336.

Norfolk123

Thank you Adrian, that's what I thought, My payment date is the 7th of each month so I would have missed it being added to the July - August payment,I will see what happens on the 7th September payment. Thank you once again for your help x 

Adrian_Scope

Ahh yes, if your payment date is the 7th, your assessment dates must be a little earlier than we calculated above, meaning you will have missed out on receiving the extra payment by a few days. It should definitely be in your next breakdown though. 

marie222

Josy and Norfolk123

hi just out of curiosity how did you both get on in the end did it get sorted for you as im in a similar situation....tia

Chloe_Scope

Hi @marie222, how are you getting on? You say you're in a similar situation?

ptheshadow

Just a tip for anyone putting a claim in for LCWRA, if your doctor puts on the fit note Indefinitely, put in the date of the day before you started your claim & the date after your 80th birthday, as they don't accept the fit notes without dates on them, as the computer doesn't recognise the word Indefinitely, it only recognises dates.

Adrian_Scope

Thanks for the tip @ptheshadow! How are you getting on?

ptheshadow

I'm doing fine thank you, just waiting for U/C to do their thing.

2276tina

poppy123456 said:

Hi,

The extra money paid for LCWRA isn't paid until the 14th week of your claim. Unfortunately this is the rules and they apply to everyone and it's not anything to do with your son having a life long disability. You don't stand any chance of having this money backdated to the start of the UC because the first 13 weeks are called assessment rate. See this link and scroll down for work capability assessment for  confirmation of the 13 week assessment rate. 
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/universal-credit-for-disabled-people

Hi ive waited 11 months for my assessment and passed for LCWRA group. Will they backdate me. 47 weeks ive waited. 

poppy123456

@2276tina Hi,

LCWRA under UC because there's a 3 month waiting period, it's not paid until the 4th full assessment period. How much you're backdated will depend when you sent in your first fit note.

Mike72

Thanks Poppy. 

I have just rang the number you have just given me and guess what? The system is down, try phoning next week was the response. 
If I wasn't in such a critical predicament financially then this would be comical. 
What can one do?? 
Thanks

M. 

tcopping1

I signed on 2nd April. First sick note 11th April. Sent capability form of 27th August. Was told today 11th that I’m in LCWRA GROUP and reassessment in 10 months. Was told to wait and here about any money owing within the next 7 days. My question is how many months am I entitled to (back dated) and will I receive this in the next week or on 8th January when my next payments due? So confusing Cheers

Mike72

I'm in a simmilar situation. 

I received the first payment of one month LCWRA element on 07/11 after waiting 5 months. I never even received a decision/award letter advising me until I sent the same message to my advisor for 3 consecutive days before I received a response. I will be informed of any back dated amount within 7 days. 

I am genuinely at a loss as to why the DWP makes you wait for 4 months (sick notes supplied) and then just gives you 1 months payment. What about the 3 months where I have handed in proof of my illness? They are just completely disregarded. I'm just glad the long wait is over and I now have a stable income for 2 years. I don't have the energy to persue it any longer.

Good luck to you tcopping1 👍

M.

tcopping1

I was told that I should of got it 8th December but they back tracked and started ignoring me. Received normal amount then told today 10th I will here in 7 day regarding any money owing. But I think they will just do it in January. 

Why didn’t they give you the money they owed you on the 7/11 doesn’t make sense. When I was getting ESA it was so much easier.  

Take care Mike72

Mike72

I'm quite honestly not holding my breath waiting to be informed within 7 days. That deadlines up on Friday. I sent a message on my journal, no response then duplicated and sent again and then again before I finally received a reply advising me 7 days. I had to fight to get them to post an award/decision in my journal. I received that after I was payed (total lol) I was also asked to accept my commitments prior to seeing any paperwork. Effectively it is a contract you are engaging in? But what do I know?

Its astonishing  but really, what can you do?  

tcopping1

yes yes I received a commitments first then told 7 days etc. 

But like you my coach worker just keeps fobbing me off. So I sent a reply saying they were playing games with my physical and mental health by not being up front and honest with me. That’s when things starting moving quicker. 

All I’ve ever wanted is for them to be up front. I don’t suffer fools gladly, they treat us as if we’re beneath them and have no understanding  of what is right and what is wrong.

life's hard enough. 

Mike72

Well said, I wholeheartedly agree with your sentiments. 

Like you, it wasn't until I sent 6 paragraphs expressing my discontent, apprehension and basically, astonishment at the way in which I had been treated. One thing I did notice was that when I was once overplayed they were in contact with me, all formal like, to redeem the overpayment but they are not so forthcoming with the financial assistance that I am 100% entitled to. I have payed my taxes etc for many many years and I need them the support right now.

If you have the energy ctopping1 then fight for what is rightfully yours, Good luck. 

M. 

poppy123456

There's 3 month waiting period BUT it's 3 full assessment periods from when you sent your first fit note. Even when it was the old ESA there was a 13 week waiting period. The rules haven't changed, except UC pays 1 month is arrears which means you don't receive the extra LCWRA element until the 4th month of your claim.

@tcopping1 in my calculations you will be owed backdated money from August. It's possible that you will receive the backdated money separately to your monthly money especially if the decision was made after your assessment period ended this month.

May i also add that the timescale you've been given is just a guide and nothing more. They can re-assess you anytime from 3 months. LCWRA is an ongoing award for as long as you remain in that group.

jarzar

Hi, I had my assessment 6 months ago & am still waiting for a decision. I already get PIP. My work coach said they can't speed up the process but said that on my notes it's a complex case. What does this mean? My work coach didn't know & couldn't find out. Also, is there anybody who can be contacted to see what is going on & how much longer I have to wait?

tcopping1

I found that if I rang DWP at every stage of the process things started to move on quicker. Mine took 18 weeks from sending off my assessment form. But I know if I didn’t keep contacting them the process would of taken a lot longer. 

Good luck with it all. 

Teresa. X

jarzar

tcopping1 said:

I found that if I rang DWP at every stage of the process things started to move on quicker. Mine took 18 weeks from sending off my assessment form. But I know if I didn’t keep contacting them the process would of taken a lot longer. 

Good luck with it all. 

Teresa. X

Hi Theresa, thanks for your reply, its about 8 months since I sent my form in, I've already had the assessment (6 months ago). I'm constantly ringing & contacting DWP on my journal page, but nobody can give me any answers.