Coming off LCWRA

lolshop

Hi, I’ve been on LCWRA for a while now for mental health reasons but I’ve started to feel better gradually and have happily just started a job today. I’ve put it on my journal so my work coach knows. 

I won’t be paid my first wage until the end of the month so I know that it won’t affect my current UC assessment period in terms of the other elements of my UC as the period ends on the 16th and I won’t have had any wages by then.

My question is - does anyone know if they’ll remove my LCWRA from the usual amount? I feel they should as I am working and well enough to work. But what is the process? 

I will be earning more than the allowance so I definitely won’t get LCWRA once I’ve been paid my wages, but what will happen this month?

poppy123456

LCWRA is an ongoing award until a new decision says otherwise and it doesn’t just stop. There’s no amount of hours which you can work. 

UC is based on earnings received during your assessment period. You will have the work allowance which means that a certain amount of earnings received each month will be ignored before the 55% deductions apply.
If you claim for help with the rent it’s £344/month if you don’t it’s £573/month. 

You can use a benefits calculator to see if there’s any entitlement once you start to receive your earnings. If your UC is reduced to zero I believe your claim will remain open for about 6 months.
Good luck with the job and I hope it works out well for you. 

lolshop

thank you that’s very kind of you to help. It seems mad I would get the LCWRA element this month as I am working but if that’s the process then I will be grateful for the money  

calcotti

The LCWRA is ongoing. You don’t lose it just by going into work.

Because you have LCWRA you will have a Work Allowance which means that some of your earnings (joint earnings if you have a partner) will be ignored.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-work-allowances/universal-credit-work-allowances

A deduction is made of 55% of any earnings above the WA.

Obviously, if you are completely recovered from your health issues then you should report this to UC but it would be prudent to see how you get on in your job first.

Apart from any message you may have sent your WC you need to use your journal to ‘Report a Change’ re employment.

lolshop

Thank you. I did think about waiting and making sure I get on okay at work but the work I’m doing would contradict the difficulties I was awarded LCWRA for and I don’t want to be dishonest and keep the claim. It’s a bit worrying as if things go wrong I will have lost my award but I can’t really see a way around it

lolshop

If I “report a change” before my assessment period ends I won’t lose this months UC will I? 

lolshop

I put it in the journal but didn’t do the report a change button because I don’t get paid until the end of the month (during the next assessment period) 

poppy123456

When you report a change it usually takes place in the assessment period in which you reported it. However, with changes to your health when claiming LCWRA i think it's different. I don't think it will just stop, you should have an assessment first.

However, i agree with calcotti, i think you should wait to see how you cope with your new job first. If it goes well and doesn't have any affect on your health you should then report a change of circumstances, then click "health" Then tell them that your health condition has improved.

durhamjaide2001

Congratulations for starting the job and making it through to the end of your mental health recovery 

lolshop

thank you all thank you all for your help and kind wishes 

L_Volunteer

You are welcome @lolshop. It is the very least you deserve.

Please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything else we can do to help. We are all here for you and listening to you