 |
answer text |
<p>Where the claimant is determined to have limited capability for work and work-related
activity (LCWRA), an additional amount of Universal Credit (UC) may be awarded. However,
before the additional amount is payable, a UC claimant must serve the ‘relevant’ period
to establish that they have a long-term health condition. This approach replicates
the 13-week assessment period which is applied in Employment and Support Allowance
(ESA) claims.</p><p> </p><p>There are no plans to assess the impact of the relevant
period or current backdating rules. Where an additional amount of UC is payable, this
is backdated to the start of the assessment period following the assessment period
in which the relevant period ends.</p><p> </p><p>Throughout the period before the
award of the LCWRA addition, claimants will receive the applicable standard allowance
plus any additions, reflecting the claimants’ personal circumstances, for example
for children, housing costs, childcare costs. They may also be eligible for support
through PIP.</p><p> </p><p>There are exceptions to serving the relevant period in
UC, including where someone accesses benefits via the Special Rules for Terminal Illness.
Where a claimant deemed to have LCWRA in ESA moves to UC, and those claims are continuous,
the relevant period does not apply. An exception also applies in relation to claimants
whose award ended in the previous six months as a result of their earnings exceeding
their entitlement. Where that claimant’s previous award included the LCWRA addition,
they do not, on reclaiming, have to serve the relevant period again.</p>
|
|
