Hi. My question is about LCWRA back pay

DebiDo
DebiDo Online Community Member Posts: 6 Listener
edited October 2022 in Universal Credit (UC)
Hi. Me and my husband made a universal credit claim in September 2018. My husband was working but had to finish through ill health. He was sending in fit notes from day one but was never sent for an assessment until last week when he was told he qualify for lcwra.  My question is does this mean his money should be back dated from 2018. I don't know why he was never asked to go for an assessment but if he had he would have been getting the extra money all this time. My husband doesn't think he will get four years if back pay but I don't see how they can refuse.  Any advice would be appreciated.  Thank you. Debi

Comments

  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,000 Championing
    To be clear - did your husband stop working in 2018?

    If so, he should get it backdated but I suspect you may have to argue the point.
  • Cher_Alumni
    Cher_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,714 Championing
    @DebiDo Hello and a warm welcome to our online community. How are you and your husband today?

    As not to confuse you, I've moved your thread to our Universal Credit category, our home for all things UC related  :) 

    Please do let us know a little more about your husband's work status since 2018. Also, has he sent in continuous fit notes since this time?

    All the best and speak again soon.
  • DebiDo
    DebiDo Online Community Member Posts: 6 Listener
    Hi thanks for the reply. Yes he was sending notes into work at first but his sick money from work stopped so we had to start the uc claim in July 2018.  In Sept 2018 he started to send in sick notes to uc as well. Then when he was finished through ill health at work he carried on sending the notes into uc continuously. They never sent him for a medical at any point.  Obviously a mistake on their part. His medical was last Tuesday and he got a decision within 2 days that he was no longer required to sent in notes and will be awarded lcwra. Sorry if this is a bit long winded. But trying to give as much information as possible. 
    Thank again 
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,000 Championing
    edited November 2022
    If he has provided Fit Notes since Sept 2018 then he should be entitled to the LCWRA element from January or February 2019 depending on exact dates and when your UC monthly period covers.

    I’m not clear why he didn’t start sending Fit Notes in July 2018 when the UC claim was made. Did he not report his health condition when he made the UC claim In July 2018.

    Are you/he claiming any other benefits?
  • DebiDo
    DebiDo Online Community Member Posts: 6 Listener
    Sorry we first made a claim on 27th Jul 2018 . We recieved first payment on 2nd September. As there was an assessment period between 27th July and 26th Aug. I've looked back at our online journal and he was asked to declare a new fit note which he did on 13th September 2018 and has done so ever since. Also looking back he had a few different job coaches so maybe this is why he was never asked to go for an assessment. They seemed to concentrate on me more. I have a part time job and it's took a few years for me to recieve LCW. As I have health issues and can only work park time.  (  I don't get money as they changed this) but they seem to leave me alone now.  He's definitely sent fit notes in continuously.  They might just pay all back pay owed but I'm preparing for a fight just incase. Things aren't usually straightforward.  Thank you.  Debbie x
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,000 Championing
    You said he was asked for a NEW Fit Note which suggests he had provided one before that. When was the first Fit Note provided? If he declared a health condition on 27th July he would have been asked to provide a Fit Note within 7 days.
  • DebiDo
    DebiDo Online Community Member Posts: 6 Listener
    Hi Calcotti Sorry I can't remember exactly what was said at the time. But he definitely declared his health problems as that's why we had to start claiming uc. If he was asked to take a note in within 7 days he would have. It's such a long time ago so I can't remember.  He'd  been off work a long time  then eventually lost his job. Also definitely kept sending  in sick notes  continuously. Thanks 
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,000 Championing
    The exact time to which an award should be updated will depend on exactly what was reported when - however the general principal is that o5 should be backdated to fourt( month after the health problems were reported and supported by Fit Notes.
  • DebiDo
    DebiDo Online Community Member Posts: 6 Listener
    Thanks for taking the time to reply.  I will update when l know more. 
  • DebiDo
    DebiDo Online Community Member Posts: 6 Listener
    Hi. Quick update.  UC have been in touch and are paying back pay from January 2019. Can't believe it got sorted so quickly. Thanks for listening.  Debi.
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,536 Championing
    That's fantastic news @DebiDo I'm so pleased to hear it's been sorted already :)

    I hope you can enjoy your weekend and relax now, and do visit the community if you fancy in future, we are always around for a chat!

    Alex

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