Do You Get LCWRA on Top of Universal Credit? | Key Facts Revealed
If you’re claiming Universal Credit and have a health condition or disability, you may have heard about LCWRA but do you actually receive it on top of your Universal Credit payment? This is a common question for many claimants.
The rules around Universal Credit and LCWRA can be confusing, but understanding them is essential. If you qualify for LCWRA, you are entitled to an extra payment in addition to your standard Universal Credit allowance.
This extra financial support is designed to help those who are unable to work due to serious health conditions or disabilities.
What is LCWRA (Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity)?
LCWRA stands for Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity. It’s a classification used within the Universal Credit system to identify people who are unable to work or prepare for work because of a significant health condition or disability.
If you’re found to have LCWRA, it means:
- You do not need to search for work or participate in work-related activities.
- You receive an extra payment on top of your Universal Credit.
The LCWRA designation is aimed at protecting vulnerable claimants who are unlikely to be able to engage in work-related activities due to their health.
This is a step above LCW (Limited Capability for Work), where the claimant may still be required to engage in training or preparation for future work.
Universal Credit Explained
Universal Credit is a monthly payment from the UK government to help with living costs for people who are on a low income or out of work. It replaces six older benefits, including:
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
How Universal Credit is Paid?
Your Universal Credit payment is calculated based on:
- Standard Allowance: This is the basic amount of money you’re entitled to, which varies depending on your age and relationship status.
- Additional Elements: Extra payments are added if you qualify for housing costs, have children, are a carer, or are classified as having LCWRA.
How Universal Credit and LCWRA Work Together?
If you’re eligible for LCWRA, it means you’ll get an additional payment on top of your Universal Credit standard allowance. This payment is automatic once your LCWRA status is confirmed.
Do You Get LCWRA on Top of Universal Credit?
Yes, you do get LCWRA on top of your Universal Credit payment. Once you are classified as having LCWRA, you receive an extra amount of £390.06 per month on top of your Universal Credit standard allowance.
This extra money is paid each month as part of your total Universal Credit payment.
Key point: Unlike other Universal Credit elements, the LCWRA payment is not affected by the Benefit Cap, so you receive the full amount regardless of other payments.
Example Calculation:
| Type of Payment | Amount (2024) |
| Standard Allowance (over 25) | £368.74 |
| LCWRA Additional Amount | £390.06 |
| Total Universal Credit | £758.80 |
If you also qualify for housing costs, children’s payments, or other elements, those payments will be added on top of this total.
How Do You Qualify for LCWRA?
Qualifying for LCWRA (Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity) requires meeting specific eligibility criteria set by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
This classification is designed to support individuals with severe health conditions or disabilities who are unable to work or prepare for work-related activities.
If you’re found to have LCWRA status, you’ll receive an additional payment of £390.06 per month on top of your Universal Credit.
To qualify for LCWRA, you must go through the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) process, during which the DWP will review your health condition, medical evidence, and functional ability to work. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how you can qualify for LCWRA.
1. Submit a Universal Credit Claim
Your journey to qualifying for LCWRA starts with your application for Universal Credit.
uring the application process, you’ll be asked if you have a health condition or disability that limits your ability to work. If you answer “yes,” you’ll be required to submit medical evidence to support your claim.
The DWP may ask you to provide a fit note (also called a sick note) from your GP (general practitioner) or a medical professional.
This fit note outlines your condition and explains why you’re unfit to work. If you have reports or letters from medical specialists, therapists, or other healthcare providers, you should submit them as well.
2. Work Capability Assessment (WCA)
The Work Capability Assessment (WCA) is the most crucial step in determining your LCWRA status. This process is carried out by healthcare professionals working on behalf of the DWP.
Here’s what happens during a WCA:
- Initial Review of Medical Evidence: The DWP reviews the fit note, specialist reports, and any supporting evidence you provided.
- Health Assessment: You may be invited to attend a face-to-face, video, or telephone assessment. During this assessment, a healthcare professional will ask questions about your health, daily activities, and how your condition impacts your ability to work.
- Functional Assessment: The healthcare professional will assess whether you meet specific “descriptors” used to classify people as having LCW, LCWRA, or neither. The more severe your limitations, the more likely you are to be classified as having LCWRA.
Some people may be exempt from attending the WCA, such as those with terminal illnesses or severe, well-documented health conditions.
3. Assessment of Functional Limitations
To qualify for LCWRA, you must meet at least one of the LCWRA Descriptors. These are criteria that outline the level of difficulty you have performing basic activities related to work.
Some examples of LCWRA Descriptors include:
- Mobility Issues: You are unable to walk 50 meters without significant discomfort, exhaustion, or risk to health.
- Manual Dexterity: You cannot use your hands to carry out simple tasks like using a keyboard or holding a pen.
- Communication Difficulties: You have severe issues understanding or conveying information, even with support.
- Severe Mental Health Conditions: You have a mental health condition that makes it dangerous or impossible to engage in social interaction or work-related activity.
- Risk to Health or Life: Carrying out work-related activities would pose a serious risk to your health or life.
Each descriptor has a scoring system, and if you meet certain thresholds, you will automatically be placed in the LCWRA group. This means you are entitled to receive the additional payment and will not be required to attend work-related activities.
4. DWP Decision and Notification
After the assessment is complete, the healthcare professional’s report is sent to the DWP for review. The DWP will decide if you qualify for LCW (Limited Capability for Work) or LCWRA (Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity).
If you are classified as having LCWRA, the DWP will notify you via your Universal Credit online account or through a letter. The decision will specify:
- Your LCWRA status
- The date your additional payments will start
- Any adjustments to your work-related requirements (which are typically removed for LCWRA claimants)
If you are unhappy with the decision (for example, if you’re classified as LCW instead of LCWRA), you have the right to challenge the decision by requesting a Mandatory Reconsideration.
5. Ongoing Reviews
While you may not need to reapply for LCWRA every year, the DWP may conduct periodic reviews to check if your health condition has improved. If your condition remains the same, your LCWRA status will continue. If your health improves, you may be reclassified as having LCW instead of LCWRA.
How Much Extra Money Do You Get With LCWRA?
If you are classified as having LCWRA (Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity), you are entitled to receive an extra payment of £390.06 per month (as of 2024) in addition to your Universal Credit standard allowance.
This amount is automatically added to your Universal Credit payment once your Work Capability Assessment (WCA) is complete and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirms your LCWRA status. Unlike other Universal Credit payments, the LCWRA element is not affected by the Benefit Cap, so you receive the full amount regardless of your other entitlements.
Example Calculation:
| Type of Payment | Amount (2024) |
| Standard Allowance (Over 25) | £368.74 |
| LCWRA Additional Amount | £390.06 |
| Total Universal Credit | £758.80 |
This payment is crucial for those with severe health conditions or disabilities, as it provides extra financial support to help them manage daily living costs.
If you are entitled to other payments, such as for children, housing, or childcare, those amounts will be added on top of the LCWRA amount, increasing your total monthly Universal Credit payment.
How Does the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) Process Works?
To qualify for LCWRA, you must complete the Work Capability Assessment (WCA).
- Medical Evidence Submission: Submit a fit note from your GP or provide other supporting evidence.
- Health Assessment: Attend a face-to-face, phone, or online assessment with a healthcare professional.
- Decision: The DWP reviews the evidence and assessment report to decide if you qualify for LCWRA or LCW.
If you disagree with the decision, you can request a mandatory reconsideration or appeal the outcome.
How Does LCWRA Affect Your Work Requirements?
If you are classified as having LCWRA (Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity), it means you are fully exempt from work-related activities. This classification is crucial for individuals with serious health conditions or disabilities who cannot work or prepare for work.
Unlike those with LCW (Limited Capability for Work), people with LCWRA are not required to:
- Attend jobcentre appointments.
- Look for jobs or apply for work.
- Participate in training or work-preparation activities.
This exemption exists because the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recognizes that your health condition makes it unreasonable or unsafe for you to engage in any form of work-related activity.
Once you have been classified as LCWRA, your Claimant Commitment will be updated to reflect that you have no work-related obligations.
This change can significantly reduce stress and anxiety for claimants, especially those managing ongoing medical treatment, severe mental health issues, or other conditions that impact daily functioning.
In addition, LCWRA claimants can still work if they choose to, but they are under no obligation to do so. If they do work, they may still receive their full LCWRA payment as part of their Universal Credit, subject to the earnings taper.
Conclusion
If you qualify for LCWRA, you will receive an extra payment of £390.06 per month on top of your Universal Credit standard allowance. This payment is designed to provide financial support to claimants with serious health conditions or disabilities.
If you believe you might be eligible, ensure you submit the necessary medical evidence and attend your Work Capability Assessment (WCA). The process may take time, but the additional support could significantly increase your Universal Credit payments.
FAQs on LCWRA and Universal Credit
Can you get LCWRA and Universal Credit at the same time?
Yes, LCWRA is an additional payment on top of Universal Credit.
How long does it take to get LCWRA on Universal Credit?
It can take up to 3 months after you apply for Universal Credit, as there is usually a 3-month waiting period before payments begin.
Can you work while receiving LCWRA?
Yes, but your Universal Credit payment will be reduced if you earn above the work allowance.
How much is LCWRA on Universal Credit in 2024?
The LCWRA payment is £390.06 per month as of 2024.
Does LCWRA stop if you start working?
No, but if your earnings rise to a certain level, your Universal Credit payments may be reduced.
Do you need to reapply for LCWRA each year?
No, but you may be subject to a periodic Work Capability Assessment review.
Can you appeal if you’re refused LCWRA?
Yes, you can request a mandatory reconsideration or file an appeal if the DWP refuses your claim.
