LWRCA

Moomoo2011

Hello

i claimed universal credit on 2 Jan  and have been providing fit notes since then. 

I just received a letter after my assesment last week that states that: you will continue to have limited capability to work and work related activity and that means you won’t need to search etc for work.

it then says that I will get the same amount. Is this correct? I just get standard universal credit at the moment and nothing extra.

Two years ago I was receiving LWRCA and was given extra payments. I attempted to go back to work and that failed due to illness. Not sure if they assume it’s the same claim?!? 

I just wanted to check:

1) is this right in terms of payments?

2) if not, who do I speak to.

Not sure if things have changed etc.

Many thanks in advance 

poppy123456

Unless you're claiming UC with a partner that already receives the LCWRA element on your claim then you will be entitled to extra money from the 4th month of your claim. Your waiting period will be Jan/Feb, Feb/March, March/April. LCWRA element starts from AP April 2nd to May 1st, first payment would be May 8th.

I've not known decisions letter tell you that you will receive the same amount. Any money owed is paid separate to your usual monthly amount and can often take a few weeks to be paid.

Moomoo2011

Hey

thank you poppy123456 def don’t have a partner claiming. I’m not sure who to contact? Any ideas? I doubt by UC advisor will know. From the wording is it def LWCRA?

thank you again 

poppy123456

Limited capability For work Related Activity is LCWRA. Are you 100% sure it's this and not LCW?

What letter did you receive that told you there's no extra money? Decision letters for the work capability assessment don't actually tell you this. What it usually says is "you may get extra money because of your disability and health condition. Changes to your payments will show on your statement"

Moomoo2011

Hey

it just says after your assessment, “you will continue to have limited capability for work and work related activity. This means we will not ask you to search or prepare for work. You will continue to get the same amount of universal credit”. That is word for word. 

Then says you don’t need to send fit notes unless condition changes. Says although you don’t need to prepare or search for work we can still offer you support (eg cv etc). 

What does it sound like?

poppy123456

If you are eligible for LCWRA, you'll get an extra £354.28 a month, and the DWP won't set a maximum amount - called the Benefit Cap - for what you can get in benefits.

https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/welfare-benefits/universal-credit-mental-health-guide/introduction-to-universal-credit/how-much-universal-credit-can-i-get-for-mental-health/

If the decision was made close to your statement date then this could be why it's not added to this months payment.

Put a note onto your journal under the payment section and tell them that you didn't receive the extra amount this month. Also remind them that you sent your fit note on the date you applied for UC, which means the LCWRA element is payable from April 2022.

Moomoo2011

Thanks left a note/response. Hopefully they will clarify. Thank you for your help.