LCWRA Reviews

Hello @luvpink

The decision letter (for ESA presumably) will not provide the information about why you were awarded. Only the health assessment report will relay that information. If you had a face to face assessment, the report is called ESA85. If it was a paper based assessment, it is called ESA85A. You are entitled to have a copy of that report. You can call the ESA helpline to ask for the report to be provided to you.

I'm sorry @luvpink I don't know either. The fact that no descriptor is cited or points awarded in your report would be unusual, unless you were awarded on the basis of substantial risk. However, they would normally spell that out?

I was awarded ESA Support Group (now managed migrated to UC LCWRA) under 'substantial risk'. Looking at my ESA85A report (I had a paper-based assessment), no points or descriptors are referred to and it is spelt out in the form of words used that I am awarded under Regulation 35 (substantial risk). It says:

'I advise that the client meets the criteria for LCW and LCWRA as they are suffering from some specific disease or bodily or mental disablement and, by reasons of such disease or disablement, there would be a substantial risk to the mental or physical health of any person if they were found not to have limited capability for work and work-related activity.' 

The only thing I can suggest you might try is to put in for a subject access request (SAR) to get all the data the DWP hold on you. You might find information within what they disclose to include the DWP Decision Maker's form (LT54) which records how the decision to put you in the Support Group was made, i.e. if it is substantial risk. Here is a link to how to request your personal information:

Request your personal information from the Department for Work and Pensions - GOV.UK

I got my lcwra award in 2024 it was on descriptors which I met the criteria I am not a substantial risk if you have a uc85 that tells you if there is a regulation 35 and it states substantial risk then that means you weren't awarded on descriptors you didnt score enough points if your uc85 doesn't have regulation 35 then look at page 7 / 8 of your uc85 that's if you have a uc85 if you dont have a uc85 then you can ask the DWP for one.

Substantial risk cases are a priority

However new claims are the first priority

Change of health circumstances

There is a backlog aswell this is the period during the covid era face to face assessments were paused and there were telephone appointments the government have now switched these back on

First priority

New claims

Change of circumstances in your health

Substantial risk cases

Covid era backlog due to face to face assessments being paused up until April 6th 2026

The wca assessments are being abolished 2028/2029 however there has been talking about 2030/2031

If your a lcwra award is on descriptors you are not on their list

They have a lot to get through

New claim surge

Change of health circumstances

Substantial risk cases

These cases I have mentioned will take them a long time and its highly unlikely they will get them all done by the time the wca is abolished so if your lcwra award was done pre april 2026 you are protected you keep the 423.27 new claimants get 217.00

If you got your award say 2024 or 2025 its highly unlikely they will get to you unless you report a change in your circumstances that will put you in their list apart from that you would be a stable award case

It doesnt trigger an assessment i asked for a uc85 post a message on your journal they will respond i did this myself and i received my uc85 within 5 working days and I saw i wasn't a substantial risk I scored on descriptors so contact them and they should send you your uc85

All this is mentioned before