LCWRA back payment

HC2022
HC2022 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
edited July 2022 in Universal Credit (UC)
Hi,

I'm new here so please forgive me if this question has been asked numerous times....
After losing my partner, job and home during 2020 due to Covid, I have been recieving UC since February 2021.
In August of 2021 I was admitted to hospital and then onto a psychiatric ward and diagnosed with Depression mixed with Anxiety.
I have given fit notes since that time which have stated I am unfit for work.
On June 10th I had a health assessment with the dwp and was deemed unfit for work and to look for work for the next 15 months.
I am aware that I have to wait 3 months for my payments to alter but.... upon calling the UC helpline last week, one gentleman  said I am due back dated payment from August 2021.... today a different person informed me there will be no back dated payment.
I'm confused!
Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.

Comments

  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,536 Championing
    Hello there @HC2022 and a warm welcome to the community, thanks for reaching out and explaining things.

    I'm really sorry to hear about the loses you experienced in 2020, that must've been incredibly hard. Have you been able to access support for what happened?

    And how are you finding managing your depression and anxiety day to day? Do you feel you have enough support?

    On June 10th I had a health assessment with the dwp and was deemed unfit for work and to look for work for the next 15 months.
    Was this in June 2022? And can you tell me if this was LCRWA or LCW, just so that I can understand more fully.

    Backdated payments usually start from when you began providing fit notes, which would make sense to be August 2021 as you were first told.

    Did you call an enquiry line? They are usually staffed with call centre staff, so they might not always be aware of the details that you need to know.

    Let me know if anything doesn't make sense, and we'll see how we can help :smile:

    Alex
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,000 Championing
    The LCWRA itself should be backdated to when you reported the health condition. Does the letter include a date? The LCWRA element is then payable from the fourth month after this which would be December or January depending on exact dates.
  • HC2022
    HC2022 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    Thank you both for your responses.
    I was first diagnosed August of 2021 and my Health Assessment was June of 2022.
    The outcome was LCWRA for the next 15 months and then re assessment.
    I have called the helpline and have been told I will receive the backdated pay from August 2021, but upon speaking to the new person taking on my case, through the online journal, she has said I'm not due any back pay.
    I have provided fit notes from both hospital and doctors every month since August 2021.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,456 Championing
    The LCWRA element first payment should be from either Dec or Jan, depending on the exact date you reported your health condition and the date you usually receive your money each month.
    The person you were messaging on your journal is not correct.

Categories