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Hi, my name is Matt785! Looking for advice on LCWRA underpayment from UC

Matt785

Hi I'm new to the site and looking for some advice on LCWRA underpayment from UC

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Comments

Sandy_123

Hi ya @Matt785 welcome

janer1967

Hi and welcome

If you can give more information we can try and help you hopefully

Ross_Alumni

Hello @Matt785 and welcome to the online community

What sort of advice are you looking for specifically?

Matt785

Hi Ross, I have been awarded LCWRA which was confirmed in a letter to me on the 11th of March. In the letter it also confirms that it has generated an underpayment to me and gives the figure which I'm owed. It then just says it will pay it into my bank account.
UC then put a note in my journal saying that the amount would be paid to me over a 7 month period starting on the 15th of March, then payments every 7th of the month which is my usual payment date.
I have asked why I now having been awarded it have to wait 7 months to have it paid in full, the journal entry just said it was company policy. Is this right?

Matt785

Hi the amount is correct and it is quite significant, its been backdated 2 years. Its the manner in which they are repaying it, I thought if you were awarded backdated payments they should be made in full to you?

calcotti

If you are due arrears it would normally be paid to you in one go. Obviously future payments will include an extra amount every month but this is your ongoing entitlement.

Matt785

@calcotti that's what I thought but when I have asked for a reason why they have said it is company policy to pay it back over the 7 months to me. I have left messages in my journal but have had no reply and rang twice but just got told it is the case manager I need to talk to and they will send a message to them as you can't contact them directly. Where can I go from here to get the money paid back to me in one go?

janer1967

When you put a note in your journal put it as a payment query this should then go to your case manager

I agree it is normally paid as a lump sum and is money owed so keep trying to get it resolved

Adrian_Scope

Hello @Matt785. Underpayments of LCWRA should be paid to you in one go, not spread over 7 months. Is is possible your Case Manager or person you've spoken to has confused the suggested award length with the payment schedule?
As @janer1967 mentioned, putting your query in the sections 'about a payment' and 'service issues' should have them sent directly to your Case Manager and it can help to open it with 'Dear Case Manager'.
I would ask for the guidance stating it will be paid over 7 months as it may at least help clear up where the confusion has come in.
Let us know how you get on and fingers crossed for a quick resolution.

calcotti

The only occasion i can think of when DWP might possibly spread out an arrears payment is if they have reason to think that paying it in one go could cause some financial risk to a vulnerable claimant. I can't reference that but have a vague recollection of reading it somewhere.

calcotti

woodbine said:

@calcotti that would make sense, although it would be unusual, its this phrase "company" that bothers me.

I assumed it was a phrase Matt was using rather than something DWP had said - but perhaps I'm wrong.

Adrian_Scope

calcotti said:

The only occasion i can think of when DWP might possibly spread out an arrears payment is if they have reason to think that paying it in one go could cause some financial risk to a vulnerable claimant. I can't reference that but have a vague recollection of reading it somewhere.

This is true and I believe it applies if the arrears are over £3,000 and they have reason to think a claimant is vulnerable.
However, I'm fairly certain the guidance also stipulates that if a claimant requests the amount in full, instead of spread out, they have to pay it out in one go. So if they're using that guidance a claimant is well within their rights to request it in one payment and they shouldn't be able to refuse.

Please let us know how you get on @Matt785.

Matt785

Hi everyone sorry for the delay in coming back to you. The company policy statement was made by someone in my journal from the Blackpool service centre. It appeared the same day as the official letter, this message was just written out as a journal entry and confirmed the amount due back to me and then began with 'Due to company policy we will be paying this back to you over a 7 month period' and then went on to list the dates and amounts etc.
I knew that couldn't be right as you say UC aren't a company, so I sent a message back last Thursday and still had no response yet and other messages sent this week have gone unanswered. I took your advice though and sent a message about a payment yesterday afternoon and haven't heard anything as yet.

janer1967

Give it a bit of time and hopefully you should hear

If not try calling and ask to speak to your case manager or request them to call back

calcotti

Matt785 said:

...this message was just written out as a journal entry and confirmed the amount due back to me and then began with 'Due to company policy we will be paying this back to you over a 7 month period' and then went on to list the dates and amounts etc.

That is bizarre.

Matt785

Thanks guys still nothing back but as said I will give it a bit more time and be patient - I will post any update though thank you all for your advice and help much appreciated

Matt785

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6027153/uploads/editor/r7/fxfad7hlkj4c.png

Hi everyone, I have had a response yesterday and at least he is speaking to his line manager!
I will update when I know more on Monday hopefully!

Tori_Scope

Hi @Matt785.

Just to let you know: I've edited your screenshot to remove your surname, as we don't allow personal details such as full names to be posted on the community. This is for your privacy and safety. I've also removed the name of the UC employee for their privacy. If you could redact these details from any screenshots in the future, that would be great! You can read our community guidelines here.

Please do keep us updated

Matt785

Hi Tori, sorry about that I didn't even think, noted for the future though thank you!!

Tori_Scope

No worries @Matt785

Thanks for understanding. It's easily done!

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