Lcwra

luzia
luzia Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener
edited March 2025 in Universal Credit (UC)

Hi to all

I have applied for LCWRA 1 of September 2024 was my first sick note I had my assessment last week on the 26/3/25 can someone please let me know how long it will take for the decision as tomorrow it’s the 7mouth declaring sick notes

Thanks

Comments

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 8,463 Championing

    Official timescales for a decision are anything up to 12 weeks.

    Some people hear within days, for others it takes weeks or a few months.

  • luzia
    luzia Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener

    thank you

    I just received a letter on the journal that I was awarded LCWRA

    but I’m confused I hear they only backed 3 mouth

    But I’m given sick notes since 1 September last year which means todays date it’s the 7 mouths can someone explain it to me as it’s very confusing

    Thank you

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 8,463 Championing
    edited April 2025

    LCWRA has a waiting period of three full assessment periods, from the date the first Fit Note was handed in.

    No money is paid or subsequently owed for that period.

    If you can answer all the below questions I can estimate a timeline.

    What date did you report the health condition?

    Were there any gaps in handing in Fit Notes, any that were backdated etc? It's not the start date on them that counts, it's the day you gave them to UC.

    Do you claim with a partner who gets LCWRA?

    Finally what is your UC assessment period or payment date?

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 8,463 Championing
    edited April 2025
  • justsaying2025
    justsaying2025 Online Community Member Posts: 22 Connected

    Hi, the date used is normally when you provided medical evidence ie when you added the fit note to the claim.

    The relevant period is 3 months - usually 3 clear AP's (assessment periods).

    If you have the decision I would send a message via your journal asking the following:

    Please advise the date used?

    Please advise when the LCWRA is applicable from?

    Can I expect any backpay?

    From what you have said it sounds like there will be some backpay due. When the agent uploads the decision they then (if relevant/applicable) generate an agent to-do to calculate any underpayment (backpay). It may take a few weeks to be actioned/calculated and if you owe UC/DWP any money it will be referred to debt management first to settle that.

    They will (once calculated) let you know via a journal message. Best advice is to be patient. If you want more details send a JM as above.

  • justsaying2025
    justsaying2025 Online Community Member Posts: 22 Connected

    P.S. Question one and two negate question 3 and until they've verified the underpayment they won't answer question 3 so I'd just ask the first 2 questions and you can then work it out yourself :-)

  • luzia
    luzia Online Community Member Posts: 13 Listener

    I was admitted in hospital in August I told uc I was sick

    my first sick note was 1 September 2024 there is no gaps in the sick notes

    I was send the uc50 in January

    I’m a single parent

    My uc payment is on the 20 every month

    That’s why I’m so confused

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 8,463 Championing

    My estimate of your LCWRA waiting period would be:

    August/September: Partial Assessment Period, not included for waiting period.

    September/October: AP 1

    October/November: AP 2

    November/December: AP 3

    December/January:Eligible for LCWRA element

    20th January: First LCWRA element paid.

    It's my estimate that up until today you are owed three months LCWRA element.

    Once you receive the decision, UC need time to process before LCWRA is added to your monthly payment, and backpay calculated.

    Money owed is calculated separately and this usually takes several weeks at least. You'll know this has been done when a letter is added to your Journal confirming the amount they owe you.

    You'll then receive the money into your bank account several working days later.

  • justsaying2025
    justsaying2025 Online Community Member Posts: 22 Connected

    So, working backwards - if your payment (due to your limited info) is 20th the end of your AP is the 13th. So your AP's will be 14th - 13th. Check you statements for accuracy.

    IF you uploaded the sicknote on the very 1st date (you maybe didnt - check your journal) then lets say 01.09.24 is the relevant date:

    AP 14.09.24 - 13.10.24 (1)

    AP 14.10.24 - 13.11.24 (2)

    AP 14.11.24 - 13.12.24 (3)

    The relevant period.

    So your LCWRA would be payable from

    AP 14.12.24 - 13.01.25

    As long as you uploaded your fit note b4 14.09.24 this calculation would be correct.

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