LCWRA & UC

HKW08

Hi everyone, I’m new here and would like some information if possible please. 

I have always been employed but my mental health has severely declined in the last few years, unfortunately during the last year it’s got even worse and I’m now on long term sick, I’ve had to start claiming benefits to support the cost of living, I started with UC which has been fine and I was told to apply for ESA 3 months before my statutory sick pay was due to finish so I did. I received a letter on my UC journal placing me in the LCWRA category, can I ask is this the ESA decision? I’m so confused with what’s what as if that’s not the letter then I haven’t heard back from ESA and my SSP comes to an end in two weeks. 

calcotti

The LCWRA decision will have been made by UC.

The LCWRA decision will be applied to the ESA claim too. You will initially get the assessment rate of ESA but this will increase the Support Group rate from the fourteenth week.

The ESA will only be payable once your SSP has ended. The ESA will be separately fortnightly. The monthly UC you receive will reduce because the ESA will be deducted - the total income will be the same.

If it's nearly three months since applying for ESA it may be worth ringing them to check the status of the claim. Have you provided form SSP1 to ESA (which confirms the SSP end date)?

poppy123456

The extra money for the LCWRA element will be paid from the 4th month after you reported your health condition. There's a full 3 month assessment period waiting time and it's not paid at all during this time. When it's paid from will depend on what date exactly you reported your health condition and what date you usually receive payments each month.

HKW08

Thanks for answering! 

It’s been a few months and I haven’t heard anything back from ESA so I gave them a call today and was told because I made an advanced claim that I’ll hear back sooner the time of the SSP ending with a decision. I’ve not had an assessment (form or in person) to do for ESA so far, only for UC, will I have to do this again for ESA? 

poppy123456

You only need one assessment for both because the assessments are exactly the same.

HKW08

Thanks Poppy

L_Volunteer

You are welcome @HKW08. I am glad we could help, it is the very least you deserve. If we can do anything else to support you, please don't hesitate to let us know. We are all here for you