Declared Limited Capability for Work

MRIP79

I have been on UC since 2015, have worked in between those days, but have had on-going depression/anxiety and been declared limited capability for work and my next assessment will be in 20 months (so i was told by work coach). I'm totally confused as i've read and been told so many different things - because i've been on UC for so long does that mean i'm entiled to extra for the LCW element (I know those claiming after April 2017 dont get it). 

poppy123456

It will depend on what date you reported your health condition, supported by a fit note within 7 days of that. If it was after 3rd April 2017 then you won’t be entitled to any extra money. If you didn’t have the work allowance previously then you will have that now. This means you can earn a certain amount of money each month before the deductions apply. 
The date you claimed UC is irrelevant. 

MRIP79

Thank you for that. I first reported fit note for this condition in 2016 although didn't do LCW as was better within 3 months. my assessmnet was end of august, only just been paid so rang up service centre to find out and they told me to ask my work coach so i'm still none the wiser (and my work coach will be awkward and probably not reply).

poppy123456

MRIP79 said:

Thank you for that. I first reported fit note for this condition in 2016 although didn't do LCW as was better within 3 months.

What happened after that? Did you report another health condition? If this was a decision from reporting that health condition, did you send in fit notes the whole time without any gaps? That seems an awful long time to wait for an assessment.

MRIP79

no i didn't send any fit notes in between gaps and had never previously had a WCA. So i'm still no further on lol i was told my next assessment wouldn't be for another 20 months so it seems an awfully long time to scrimp by.

poppy123456

Then there could be issues here because part of the rules are that you need to continue to send fit notes until the decision is made. Though 6 years is a ridiculously long time to wait. How long were the gaps in fit notes?

Techinally because you reported your health condition in 2016 you should be owed some money but you didn't continue to send fit notes and you said your condition improved after 3 months. I don't have an answer for you.

If you disagree with the decision and think you qualify for LCWRA you can chellenge that decision by requesting the Mandatory Reconsideration (MR). Before doing this have a look at the descriptors and see if any of them apply. You only need to meet one of them. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/limited-capability-for-work-related-activity

calcotti

When did you next report a health condition after 2015?

MRIP79

In 2016

calcotti

Sorry I meant 2016 but you said you got better so I am unclear whether you then later reported that you had got ill again.