Moving from LCW to LCWRA- has anyone done this?

lovefromjuliaxo
lovefromjuliaxo Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener
in Universal Credit (UC)

Id love some personal experience here from those who have been through this

I recently requested a reasssment because after being awarded UC with LCW in 2019 (I’m epileptic and had been TC seizure free since 2008, very mild auras, stable on old meds) I got unwell again..but I didn’t know LCWRA was a thing and I am too late to appeal now.

My seizures (tonic clonic and severe focal and I no longer get aura warnings) came back in 2022 and haven’t really stabilised since then, swapped meds in 2021 and STILL trying to figure out my meds dose with my neurologist. Last changed about a week ago to a higher dose. I only recently (this week) put a message in my journal about moving to LCWRA as I had no idea what it was until this week.

I reported a health change although obviously I already had epilepsy listed. I also have autism and depression and am on methadone for opiate dependence - not heroin- please don’t judge me however haven’t relapsed. It’s my epilepsy only that’s concerning me as I’m even struggling to do volunteer work from home now due to my focal seizures.

I was awarded ADP (Scottish PIP) in 2021 after my fits came back. Lower daily living rate enhanced mobility.

I am to go in on the 25th for a commitments review … what will this entail? Do I need to bring anything?

Then they asked me for a new fit note to say my seizures got worse- yet citizens advice have said I don’t need a fit note as I’m already on LCW. I don’t think I’ve ever handed in a fit note in my life to them.

Anyway…

I just wondered how long it would take to get this reassessment? Someone I know who got it three years ago said it took 8 weeks however he was on regular UC whereas I’m on UC plus LCW. I wondered if it would take any less time for me. Will I get it do you think?

Thankyou

Comments

  • lovefromjuliaxo
    lovefromjuliaxo Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener

    sorry let me edit that. I swapped meds in 2022 after my seizures returned. Sorry for the typo guys.

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 17,004 Championing

    Hi @lovefromjuliaxo - & welcome to thecommunity. I'd just like to say that Citizens Advice in this instance gave incorrect info. If you haven't got a fit note, then I'd suggest doing so as you need to provide continuous fit notes until you get a decision on your Work Capability Assessment.

  • lovefromjuliaxo
    lovefromjuliaxo Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener

    hi @chiarieds - the job centre got back to me today to apologise for their mistake. It’s absolutely correct that you no longer need to supply a fit note / continuous fit notes if you are already on LCW and wanting to swap to LCWRA. Maybe it is a recent change.

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 17,004 Championing

    Thank you for your reply. I was just concerned that if you were awarded LCWRA (any extra amount should be from the assessment period in which you reported a change in your health condition) then this might be queried if you hadn't provided fit notes.

    if this is something new, then the Govt's guidance on this hasn't been updated. The links below were last updated 28 Jan 2025. Just a 'normal' day with the Govt's websites then!

    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-quick-guide/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition

    https://www.gov.uk/health-conditions-disability-universal-credit/report-health-condition-disability

    Hoping all goes well with your WCA

  • lovefromjuliaxo
    lovefromjuliaxo Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener

    this is slightly worrying, I would trust this advice over JC’s. I’ve requested a fit note just incase they change their mind again and ask for it. Doctor is willing to do it it’s always good to have it there just in case. My JC is not all that reliable. Thankyou for your advice.

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 17,004 Championing

    You're welcome, & I think it's a good idea to get a fit note 'just in case,' & then make sure they're continuous until you get your WCA decision.

  • lovefromjuliaxo
    lovefromjuliaxo Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener

    hi lo and behold just after I typed that they sent a confusing message and asked for my fit note. I have now sent it to them.

    this message (attached) is a little confusing. Does this mean I will have to wait over a year now I’ve submitted my fit note, or will it be quicker/ more like 12 weeks?


    IMG_2160.png IMG_2161.png IMG_2163.jpeg
  • lovefromjuliaxo
    lovefromjuliaxo Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener

    sorry I meant to tag you @chiarieds

  • lovefromjuliaxo
    lovefromjuliaxo Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener

    if you are busy it’s ok. Sorry for all the questions this is all new to me

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 17,004 Championing

    Hi @lovefromjuliaxo - it's OK as I saw this. I don't know if they mean that they can refer you without a fit note, but then it might take a year to have a WCA!

    I'm sorry I don't know the current timeframe for a WCA, but hopefully it's a matter of weeks.

    If you haven't seen the LCWRA descriptors, the following may help. You just need to satisfy one of these descriptors: https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/limited-capability-for-work-related-activity

    Here's the UC50 you should be sent to complete: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66e1b747dd4e6b59f0cb2556/uc50-interactive.pdf

    Hope some of this helps

  • lovefromjuliaxo
    lovefromjuliaxo Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener

    Thankyou. I sent a fit note but other people on Reddit are saying it may take a year anyway

  • lovefromjuliaxo
    lovefromjuliaxo Online Community Member Posts: 10 Listener
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1036948#Comment_1036948

    hi. Could you tell me what this message from work coach means?

    There was an error displaying this embed.

    RE am I having a new assessment vs re assement? Very confused by how it’s worded

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 17,004 Championing

    With apologies for the delay in getting back to you @lovefromjuliaxo - I'd just suggest it's a 'review', which you asked for (rather than the DWP deciding to review your claim).

    It just means that they'll look to see if you should still be LCW, or if you might now be LCWRA.

    All they're (eventually) saying, is that, as is normal, you need a fit note to initiate a WCA to find out which group you should be in. It's a new assessment, but as you've already had one, then it's simply a review/reassessment.

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