LWCRA.

[KaseyJ123]

Hello,

Just trying to navigate not only LWCRA but also mumsnet. This is my first post. I was just wondering if anyone could help.

I have been sending in fit notes since March 2024. I have been extremely unwell. I had my health assessment two weeks ago. If I was to receive LCWRA (fingers crossed). Will I relieve a backpayment and when will they back pay from.

Thank you,

Kasey.

You have written that you have been sending in sick notes since March 2024, is that correct?

I am currently also navigating the mess that is ESA, it’s taken them 6 weeks just to send out a capability questionnaire to me, when I phoned to question it a few weeks ago I was told they are running behind and it would be 5 weeks, not the 14 days they advise on the initial application. The conspiracy theorist in me thinks it’s a deliberate move to save money as some people will probably abandon their claim if they meanwhile get better and are able to work again in that time frame. It would be interesting to know how many claims are abandoned, but I am digressing.

Back to the point, the advisor also reassured me that my claim would be fully backdated if it was successful and I continued to send in fit notes. I have checked my HMRC PAYE records and they have already put themselves on my tax account and I can see a date my claim will presumably start on there. Maybe this is something you might want to check too?

If this is leaving you financially distressed get back in touch with them as I think they can offer a loan to be paid back out of your claim? Also, depending on what your diagnosis is, it may be worth seeking out a charity associated with your diagnosis, as they may have their own benefits advisors to help you.

I was told to have someone with me for support when I have my health assessment interview, apparently it can be a bit brutal; the anecdote I was told, by another patient in oncology, is that the interview was on the telephone, lasted over two hours (!), the questions asked were repetitive as though designed to catch you out and it only stopped when the person’s husband stepped in to say enough, she is exhausted. She has said when it runs out she won’t re-apply as she can’t go through it all again. She was a professional woman, genuinely ill with a chronic, life limiting diagnosis and it’s shocking that she feels she cannot face a claim for financial help again.

Anyway, hoping my answer will bump you back up the board and someone more knowledgeable can help you (and me!).

Would also like to hear some anecdotes where it isn’t anxiety inducing to apply! I’ve got enough to worry about without this too.

From gov.uk

8.2 LCWRA: when you’ll get extra money
If your WCA decision is LCWRA, you’ll usually get the extra money 3 monthly assessment periods after you started submitting medical evidence (such as fit notes) showing that your condition limits how much work you can do.
There are instances where it can be added on straight away, for example if you have 12 months or less to live or if you’re moving from Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to Universal Credit.

Hello,

Yeah I've been out of work for quite a few years now- not out of choice. I have to dramatically leave my job and home due to leaving DV. I am now a single mum to 3 and he is still abusing me via separation abuse.

UC are very aware of my situation as its been chaos! I was having weekly appointments with them for 'safeguarding checkins' at one point. As my work coach, was so worried about my risk.

I have been seeing multiple therapists and have support workers left right and centre. They told me in March that I needed to declare my health condition, despite having all that information, but when I contacted my GP he said that this should have been done a long time ago and handed me fit notes from March 2024- March 2025. I have since uploaded from the 14th April- 14th July, 15th July- 14th of October. So I don't need to hand in any for a while. Can you see any gaps.in there that would be of concern? I have never been told that I have missed a threshold. So.

I handed my form in ages ago, had a 20 minute phonecall in early June where a lady asked me a few questions and then I had my health assessment over the phone which took 2 and a half hours on the 24th of this month.

I did call and the company who assess said they had sent me a disk in the post as my appointment was recorded, and that they had closed my case as they had made a decision and sent it to DWP for their final decision.

I'm just hoping that someone can let me know how long I should be waiting for a DWP update and if anyone could make sense from my fit notes if I'll be backdated and how much by.

I'm praying yours goes well. I feel like everyone is just guessing with LWCRA. Everyone says different!