First time applying for LCWRA - a few questions

LocoLoco

Hi there, I've not had to do this before so wondered if I could check a few things with someone on here?
The application's for my son; I'm his DWP appointee so as far as I know I'm alright to fill the form in for him.  He'll officially finish full time education on July 2nd this year. 
Can I start the application in advance of that, requesting that the claim starts from after July 2nd or do I need to do it on July 2nd?
I know I need to get him a fit note; if I just ask the doc for a fit note will he know what I'm asking for or are there different sorts of fit note for different processes?  I know it needs to be dated, do I ask him to date it from July 2nd?
Do I need to send the actual fit note in or do I just put the details of it on to the form?
Will UC contact Child Benefit or do I need to that separately?
And with regards to the information on the form, is it similar to PIP in the sense that you explain things that are difficult?  I did see the criteria somewhere so I'll use that as a guide but just wondered if there are any massive differences?

Sorry for all the questions - I've not done this before and I'm aware that everyone's busy at the moment so I'm wanting to get myself as well organised as I can to avoid any delays because I've done something wrong.  Also finding my brain isn't working very well at the minute so I'm a bit anxious about messing it up.

Many many thanks in advance.  Hope everyone is keeping well x

calcotti

You need to notify Child Benefit directly.

There is only one Fit Note.

You will need to get a separate appointee-ship forUC. Your existing one will not be recognised by UC. https://www.gov.uk/become-appointee-for-someone-claiming-benefits. I am not clear how this can be progressed while coronavirus restrictions are in place.

I infer when you say apply for LCWRA you mean apply for UC with a Fit Note in the hope that he will then be found to have LCWRA. Once you have applied you will be sent a Work Capability Questionaire. The process is similar to PIP but the questions are different.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/getting-universal-credit-if-youre-sick-or-disabled/
There is advice on completing the form here https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/fill-in-form/ (this page refers to ESA but the WCA is the same for UC).

At the moment all assessments are on hold so you are likely to have to wait longer than usual for the WCA decision.

i don't think there is any mechanism to make an advance claim for UC but i5 would be worth investigating the appointeeship.

poppy12345

If you're claiming tax credits or child element of UC as well as child benefit then you may want to wait until both of those end before applying for UC for your son. Finsihing education on 2nd July doesn't mean the benefits will end at the same time.

Spoonie_Turtle

The context of the WCA descriptors is slightly different from PIP but similar concepts apply - whether the claimant could do things reliably, repeatedly, safely, that kind of thing. The links calcotti gave are a good start, and you can find the actual descriptors here: https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/ESA_criteria
And more info for each here: https://wcainfo.net/

Edit: for whenever it turns out to be best to apply. If you have time before any child element of other benefits runs out then it gives you a bit longer to get your head around it all and prepare

poppy12345

Spoonie_Turtle said:

If you have time before any child element of other benefits runs out then it gives you a bit longer to get your head around it all and prepare

I don't think it's possible to do that because once a claim for UC is started then the child benefits/taxcredit etc will end.

Spoonie_Turtle

poppy12345 said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

If you have time before any child element of other benefits runs out then it gives you a bit longer to get your head around it all and prepare

I don't think it's possible to do that because once a claim for UC is started then the child benefits/taxcredit etc will end.

Yes of course - my post evidently wasn't clear, sorry. I meant if there's time before any child element runs out, it gives a bit longer to prepare before needing to start a UC claim rather than claiming as soon as he finishes education.

LocoLoco

calcotti said:

You need to notify Child Benefit directly.

There is only one Fit Note.

You will need to get a separate appointee-ship forUC. Your existing one will not be recognised by UC. https://www.gov.uk/become-appointee-for-someone-claiming-benefits. I am not clear how this can be progressed while coronavirus restrictions are in place.

I infer when you say apply for LCWRA you mean apply for UC with a Fit Note in the hope that he will then be found to have LCWRA. Once you have applied you will be sent a Work Capability Questionaire. The process is similar to PIP but the questions are different.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/getting-universal-credit-if-youre-sick-or-disabled/
There is advice on completing the form here https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/fill-in-form/ (this page refers to ESA but the WCA is the same for UC).

At the moment all assessments are on hold so you are likely to have to wait longer than usual for the WCA decision.

i don't think there is any mechanism to make an advance claim for UC but i5 would be worth investigating the appointeeship.

That's really helpful Calcotti, especially the bit about being his appointee, I didn't know I needed to apply for that again so I'll get that sorted out first.  Thanks very much for all the links and help, I'll start reading through it all.  Thank you again, I'm very glad I asked now  

LocoLoco

poppy12345 said:

If you're claiming tax credits or child element of UC as well as child benefit then you may want to wait until both of those end before applying for UC for your son. Finsihing education on 2nd July doesn't mean the benefits will end at the same time.

Thanks for that Poppy, now this is why I check things on here because it was the UC lady who deals with my claim (which my son is currently on) who told me he had to come off my claim the day full time education ends (I think with tax credits it used to run on until the following September?).  So I will check all of that out again.  It would be a help if things could be delayed a bit as things are so difficult at the minute with not being able to go out.  Thank you, I will check all of that out.

LocoLoco

Spoonie_Turtle said:

The context of the WCA descriptors is slightly different from PIP but similar concepts apply - whether the claimant could do things reliably, repeatedly, safely, that kind of thing. The links calcotti gave are a good start, and you can find the actual descriptors here: https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/ESA_criteria
And more info for each here: https://wcainfo.net/

Edit: for whenever it turns out to be best to apply. If you have time before any child element of other benefits runs out then it gives you a bit longer to get your head around it all and prepare

Thank you Spoonie, I'll read through it all properly, I have had a quick skim through and at a glance it looks like he'd get the LCWRA (he's on higher rate care and mobility for PIP and some areas are quite similar) but we all know it doesn't always work that way.  We've been lucky so far, his swap from DLA to PIP went well and our transition from legacy benefits to UC was relatively smooth so I'm hoping for a hat trick   Thanks again.