I've read I won't receive the carer element if I'm awarded LCWRA, but I'm confused

Ladysimba0411

Hi I was on LCW and since then haven't had to send in fit notes I was  then asked to do a medical assessment I filled out the form and sent it back in April 2021 while waiting on the medical assessment my health got worse I jnformed the UC of this and was then asked to supply fit notes from OCT 2021 I have done this and today its 1st Sept 2022 I had my medical assessment over the phone the woman who assessed me at the end of the 1hr 20 minutes did assessment did say she does believe I meet the criteria to receive the LCWRA element and she will put a recommendation in her notes too she also did say it is up to the DWP to make the final decision on this though. Which I am grateful for her honesty but I have a dilemma and I'm hoping someone can help me. My 6 year old daughter receives Child Disability Allowance and I get carers allowance and carers element on UC. I have read I won't receive the carer element if I am awarded LCWRA but I'm confused as to how much I will receive and if awarded when I will be backdated to as my calculations say from July/Aug 2021 am I correct as I know there is a 3 month waiting period? If anyone can help with this be very very grateful 🙏 

poppy123456

The assessor shouldn't have said anything to you because it's not their job to do that. If you're found to have LCWRA you will be entitled to extra money each month. As you're also claiming carers element you will not be able to receive both this and LCWRA at the same time.

When it's paid from will depend on who requested the reassessment in April 2021, was it you or UC?  I know you said you got worse and had to send fit notes since Oct 2021. Usually when you report a worsening of condition the extra is backdated to the assessment period in which you reported the changes (so Oct 2021 for you)

In your case it will be down to a decision maker to decide if it's April or Oct. Either way, you'll be owed the difference between carers element and LCWRA, which is £185.47/month (April 2022 figures) amounts would be less before April increase.

If you claim UC with a partner then they can claim carers element for looking after your daughter and then you claim the LCWRA element. You would need to cancel your carers allowance claim for this to happen.

Ladysimba0411

Hi Poppy wow thank you so much for the reply 😊 yes it was the UC that requested the assessment so will it be backdated from April or as you said down to the assessor? To be honest I knew she shouldn't have said anything but I think because of how I was during the assessment with nerves etc she may have slipped up and said it to possibly calm me down but I did take that with a pinch of salt as I don't want to bank on being awarded it. Although I'm praying I do haha

poppy123456

As it was UC that requested the assessment in April, it's more likely to be backdated to when you reported the change in October.

Ladysimba0411 said:

or as you said down to the assessor?

No, not at all. The assessor doesn't make decision, only a DWP decision maker can do that.

Ladysimba0411

Sorry poppy I just looked through my journal and I was actually sent a medical rereferral form in Nov 2020! I carried on reading and was misinformed by my old work coach that I didnt need to worry about filling that in as I was already awarded the LCW but afterany requests i finally received a copy of the form in April 2021 and I informed them that I filled it in and sent it back that day. So technically I should've had that form filled out in November but after miscommunication and me having to request the form over many months does this mean that I should be backdated any money from feb/Mar 2021? Its so confusing my head is spinning now haha

poppy123456

As advised, if you're found to have LCWRA and you reported the changes to your health condition then you will be owed money from the assessment period in which the changes were reported. (Minus the amount for Carers element.)

Alex_Alumni

Hello and welcome @Ladysimba0411 I'm glad to see the community has helped to answer your query, how are you this weekend?

If you need a hand with anything else, please do ask and we'll do what we can to help  

Alex