Will LWCRA be backdated? I've been handing in fit notes since November 2020

oscarotis

Hi,  I have recently been awarded PIP (Enhanced Living & Lower Mobility) and was advised to apply for LWCRA.  I have been providing sick (fit) notes since November 2020 with no gaps.  If I am successful will I get any backdated money?

Thanks 

poppy123456

HI,

Your PIP award has no relivance on the work capability assessment. If you're placed into the LCWRA group then you will receive the extra money from either April or May 2021, depending the exact dates you reported the health condition and your assessment periods. This is because there's a 3 full assessment period waiting time.

oscarotis

Hi,

The 3 month assessment period is what I am
getting confused about.  If I reported my Health condition in November then shouldn’t the 3 month period start from then?

poppy123456

As advised, it depends on the dates of your assessment periods and exactly when you reported the health condition.

If you reported it at the start of your AP then yes from November. If you reported it after the start of your AP then the month you reported it doesn't count because it has to be 3 full months. 

calcotti

If you have been providing Fit Notes since November you should have been sent a WCA form (UC50) in December. If this has not happened post a note in your journal saying "I have been providing Fit Notes since last November but have never received a UC50 which I now understand should have been issued 29 days after I first reported my health condition. Please arrange for this to be issued."

poppy123456

calcotti said:

should have been issued 2 days after I first reported my health condition.

Typo here. This should have been 29 days,not 2 days.

calcotti

poppy123456 said: Typo here. This should have been 29 days,not 2 days.

Thanks poppy - now corrected (just before my 60 minutes ran out!)

oscarotis

Hi, I called the UC helpline who informed me a decision has been made about my my UC50, but they can’t tell me over the phone. I have not had an assessment or a phone call, just completed the application form and there is nothing on my journal?

poppy123456

oscarotis said:

Hi, I called the UC helpline who informed me a decision has been made about my my UC50, but they can’t tell me over the phone. I have not had an assessment or a phone call, just completed the application form and there is nothing on my journal?

You will need to wait for the decision letter to be uploaded onto your journal, until then there's nothing more you can do.

oscarotis

Ahh ok, I thought I would need an assessment before a decision was made.  Thanks for your reply.

poppy123456

Most people do but a paper based assessment is possible.