When do I receive the LCWRA element payment?

Rachbooks

Hello I was wondering when do I recieve the lcwra element payment . I have been providing fit notes since January 21st the work capability assessment was awarded on august 25 when I received a letter in my journal . My universal credit periods are assessed between the 3rd n 4th of each month and my payment dates fall on the 10 of each month ? 

I am currently in a homeless situation in which the work coach twice informed the council with a duty to refer but I haven’t been contacted by them and wondered when I would receive the extra element payment in the hope I might be able to find somewhere permenant to live . Like a bed sit or anything 

poppy123456

The extra money isn’t paid at all during the waiting period, which is 3 full assessment periods from when you first reported your health condition. Providing you sent fit notes for the whole time without any gaps until the decision was made. 

Your waiting period will be Feb/March, March/April, April/May… LCWRA starts from AP 4th May to 3rd June and first payment will be 10th June. 

Any money owed will be paid separately and can take a few weeks for them to pay it. 

Rachbooks

oh thank you for that because I didn’t receive anything this month I was unsure about if I would receive anything more at all .because I read the bit that said you may recieve an extra element. 

Rachbooks

That is to say today I looked on the payment on my journal . It only has the single element due to be paid on the tenth .even though the letter confirming Lwcra was on the 25 and fell into today’s assessment period 
many thanks for your reply as I am very confused 

poppy123456

You should had the LCWRA element included in this statement. Put a message on your journal under the payment section and ask about the element. Tell them your calculation says it should be included this month.

Rachbooks

Thank you for your help it’s very much appreciated as it is all so confusing 

Rachbooks

I rang the helpline and they said it doesn’t work like that we have thousands of people just like you trying to get this benefit it takes weeks to sort through . I replied I am not asking why I have not been paid I am asking why the assessment for this period doesn’t include the lwcra and that it states on the statement that if you feel that there may have been a mistake inform us straight away 
she said I just told you we have thousands of people just like you it doesn’t work like that and hung up on me ?

poppy123456

Ringing the helpline isn’t the best idea because they have very little knowledge with things like this.
Best thing to do is as I advised here. 

poppy123456 said:

Put a message on your journal under the payment section and ask about the element. Tell them your calculation says it should be included this month.

Are you sure the decision was LCWRA and not just LCW? 

Just to add further, if you do find somewhere to live are you aware that you can claim for help with the rent through UC? It’s known as the housing element. 

Rachbooks

I have put a note on the journal thank you as well. yes it was limited capability for work and work related activity .the letter is posted as a pdf on my journal and the monthly appointment scheduled with the work coach was cancelled automatically . The work coach who told me that he had twice completed the duty to refer in regards to my homelessness did say that if I could find a place to live I could recieve help with the housing element but the difficulty is finding anywhere that I could afford a deposit and that would except someone on universal credit ,now that they have cancelled any appointments with the work coach I wasn’t sure who to ask about all of this . So thank you for your advice 

poppy123456

You’re welcome. Yes, it’s not easy at all finding any landlord that accepts people claiming benefits. It’s very sad indeed. I hope you find somewhere soon!

Tori_Scope

I'm sorry to hear that you're in this situation @Rachbooks! It sounds really distressing.

Do you have somewhere safe to stay while you're looking for somewhere permanent?

Rachbooks

Yes thank you . I have been sofa surfing for around a year now . Staying at various friends and relatives for a few weeks at a time . Currently I am in my brothers conservatory some of the week and at a friends some weeks 

Rachbooks

I I also try and stay in my tent when the weather is ok so as not to burden them with me long term but with winter coming up I’m hoping to be able to find something 

Tori_Scope

I agree that I don't imagine they see you as a burden @rachbooks. I sometimes find it helpful to imagine how I'd feel if the roles were reversed. 

I'm glad that you have some safe places you can stay, but appreciate that these are temporary solutions. 

You might find it helpful to get in touch with Shelter. They can advise on issues like housing and homelessness. 

They also have a page on how to find a landlord who'll accept benefits, which you might find helpful to read. It can be difficult, but there are some out there who'll accept tenants who claim benefits. 

Getting a deposit together can definitely be tough. Could any of your friends or relatives loan you some of the money until such time as you were able to pay them back? I realise this isn't always possible. 

Shelter also have a page on what your options are if you're struggling to afford a deposit.

You may also find Citizens Advice's page on getting help from social services if you're homeless helpful to read. This includes some information about how to make a complaint, if you're not happy with the action your local authority has taken.

You can find out how to refer yourself for a needs assessment from your local authority through the gov.uk website.

I realise this is quite a lot of information to take in, so please do let us know if there's anything you're unsure about.

Please also keep us updated on your situation if you can We're all here to support you. 

Alex_Alumni

How have things been since last week @Rachbooks? 

Let us know if you need any additional support

Alex