LCW to LCWRA backdated payments?

Zen26797
Zen26797 Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
edited October 20 in Universal Credit (UC)

Hello,

Hoping someone can please advise. I was awarded LCW about a year ago. Since then I have had a new diagnosis and was issued a fit note due to functional decline. I submitted a health change in my UC journal.
Key dates - 04/05/2025 Fitnote issued

Health change and fitnote dates submitted to UC 16/05/2025

UC50 was issued and received by the Assessment Centre 19/07/2025

I’m yet to have a decision or assessment to determine whether I’m eligible for LCWRA. I also sent GP letters and relevant supporting letters from other agencies supporting a paper based assessment as I had strong evidence (multiple consultation notes, psychiatry diagnosis reports, occupational therapy reports, carer statements ect). I’ve not had any contact from them so I’m assuming paperbased decision is going ahead (hopefully).

From what I think I understand there is no 3 assessment wait period to start payments as I’m already on LCW.

If I am awarded LCWRA would be backdated to the change of health that I reported in my UC journal? The fitnote? Or would it be that three AP must go through first.

My Assessment periods start 4th each month.

thank you for your help 🙂

Comments

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 7,444 Championing

    There is no waiting period for LCW to LCWRA, that is for brand new claims only.

    If you meet both conditions below you will be eligible for backpay dating to when you reported the change.

    1. You submitted a change due to worsening health.
    2. You submitted a Fit Note and provided continuous Fit Notes with no gaps* up until the LCWRA decision.

    *It is the date you give them to UC that counts, not the start date written on them.

    Backdated Fit Notes are generally not accepted.

    If you do not meet both those conditions and are awarded LCWRA, then payment first applies in the Assessment Period in which the decision is made.

    Unfortunately there are long waits for WCA's at the moment, so I wouldn't assume a paper based assessment. Most people have full assessments.

    You can always enquire with the health assessment provider directly as to likely waiting times.

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-your-health-assessment-provider

  • Zen26797
    Zen26797 Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    hi thank you for your reply @Kimi87 and you’re help! I’m aware of the longer wait times and that the assessment format could change.

    I was advised by the UC work coach I wouldn’t need to submit further fit notes after the one issued on the 04/05/2025?

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 7,444 Championing

    Continuous Fit Notes ensure backpay, but aren't actually needed in order for the reassessment process itself to continue.

    Work coaches aren't trained benefits advisors, they administer claims and often give incorrect advice.

    In your case if you are awarded LCWRA you will first be eligible for payment in the AP that the decision is made.

  • Zen26797
    Zen26797 Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    @Kimi87 Thank you for your help 🙂💐

  • Mary_Scope
    Mary_Scope Posts: 2,909 Scope Online Community Children and Family Specialists
    edited September 1

    Hi @Zen26797 and a warm welcome to the community from me

    I see Kimi has already answered your question and given some god advice so I won't add anything new today but its lovely to have you here and I hope you enjoy your time on the community😄

  • vickiloola
    vickiloola Online Community Member Posts: 8 Listener

    Hi All,

    I have a similar problem. Ive been on lcw for a few years but my health had gotten significantly worse so reported health change last year, about September on advice of work coach and sent form off December of last year. I have only just had my assessment after 10 months of waiting.

    When I initially reported change I provided sick note but following month there was no place to upload so I queried it and was told I no longer needed to submit these so I only had 2 months. If I am given lcwra does this mean they probably won't back date due to no sick notes given even though it was there advice not to? Surely they will have evidence from GP if needed anyways. Doesn't seem too fair when they are ones who gave me false information... or am I getting confused from previous messages.

    Also when I had assessment they also cut conversation short saying they had all information they needed even though they hadn't gone into any of physical conditions just mental health side. I queried it again he said that only way he could put my mind at ease was that he had enough to put through which also didn't seem right.

    I don't know why but has made me really anxious, feels like going through pip and uc review all over again. Should i have pressed for him to talk about physical health( i currently suffer from arthritus in back hip and both knees, mental health issues and now they have found heart issue too) Are these things designed to cause stress so people don't bother trying?

    Thanks for any advice. Would be so grateful. V

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 7,444 Championing
    edited October 19

    If the assesor feels you meet one of the criteria (for either LCW or LCWRA), then it's pointless and a waste of time carrying on the assessment.

    Yes, as advised above if you are awarded LCWRA then they won't backdate beyond the Assessment Period in which the decision was made, due to lack of continuous Fit Notes.

    You can try an online complaint if you wish, should you be awarded LCWRA to complain about the lack of backdating due to their own advice.

    https://makeacomplaint.dwp.gov.uk/

  • lorajx
    lorajx Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener

    Hi all I have a similar issue and I keep getting mixed answers everywhere else I have searched. I currently claim LCW, I unfortunately was diagnosed with cancer in June, put in a change of circumstances on my journal and was automatically sent a uc50 (did not put in any fit notes I wasn’t told I needed too) filled in the back page with my cancer nurse, sent all off in July, I am currently going through chemotherapy and I still haven’t heard anything. But I was under the impression I would still get backpay? Now I’m not so sure as I didn’t put in a fit note to trigger the uc50, as I’m going through chemotherapy my understanding is I automatically apply for LCWRA? Is this correct? And will I get any backpay? Thanks x

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 7,444 Championing
    edited October 22

    I would recommend speaking to a Macmillan Benefits Advisor.

    https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/macmillan-support-line/money-advisers

    I'm of the opinion that you won't qualify for LCWRA backpay due to not meeting the two conditions I've advised multiple times on this thread.

    Yes you should automatically qualify for LCWRA due to the cancer treatment.

  • vickiloola
    vickiloola Online Community Member Posts: 8 Listener

    Hi All.

    Thanks for advice Kimi87. I thought I would ask them directly on my journal. Maybe handy at a later date if given it in writing. I was told that people moving from lcw to lcwra no longer have to provide sick notes.

    I do not know whether this is correct as let's be honest getting round all this stuff you end up with false information or conflicting information given by these people.

    I may not even be awarded it but if I do will update this post.

    Thanks all.

  • Zen26797
    Zen26797 Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    I have a small update. I recently received a new diagnosis and had additional medical evidence to send that reflect my functional limitations due to my new diagnosis to support my WCA. I contacted UC and asked where do I send these to as I was unsure if the claim was still with the health advisory service or with the DWP. The DWP said they had not received anything from the health advisory service and provided me the number to ring and ask them. I did ring and they provided me with an email to forward the evidence and I asked when I should expect an assessment. They said my case is “not a priority” due to being a change of circumstances and hasn’t been looked at yet but advised me to contact UC as they can escalate the matter. I went back and contacted UC and asked if this was possible in my journal. Within minutes I received a phone call and a very apologetic uc advisor said this wasn’t true but not to be concerned as I’m in the LCW group and a change of circumstances means it’ll be back dated. — Whether this is true and correct is anyone’s guess. I have however contact my GP who filled the gap in my fit notes and they now run continuously.
    Since this was raised they’ve decided I need a “routine” UC review with bank statements, ID ect which I’m not concerned with because everything is within their guidelines. However, I think the timing is interesting…that’s my update I’ll share if i have further news. Have a lovely day everyone! 💐

Categories