LCWRA

HouseKeeper01

Good morning, I recently lost my job after losing the sight in my left eye early in January this year. 
I was reading through some of the previous threads, looking for information as to what benefits I might be eligible for, and I saw lcwra mentioned. I'd never heard of it so I googled it.
My question is this. Who decides if a person can apply for lcwra, is it referred by a GP or hospital, what is the pathway to making enquires?
The Universal Credit office have not been helpful, if anything they have extremely frustrating to deal with. 
I went sick in January, I was already receiving UC as I was working 25 hours so was awarded a tiny top up. I was let go by the employer mid March and so received my final severance pay 31st March. I am under the Hospital, I have had an MRI, 11th May and am waiting on results. 
I have applied for PIP, mid April, and have had a confirmation that they have received my paperwork. 
Thank you. 

poppy12345

For UC you will need to report a change of circumstances. Then click health condition and report your health condition. You will need to provide a fit note within 7 days of that. 

You will then be referred for a work capability assessment, usually on about day 29 but can be on day one in some cases. 

Once referred you will be sent the work capability assessment form in the post. You will need to fill this in and return it with all your supporting evidence. From there you’ll likely have an assessment about your capability to work. 

A decision will then be made on your claim. If found to have LCWRA then you’ll be entitled to an extra £390.06/month from the 4th month of your claim. 

Some info here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-quick-guide/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition

HouseKeeper01

Thank you. I have another Q, I have already reported my eye sight loss, they know I have COPD, what kind of evidence would they require, and is a work capability assessment something I can ask for myself?

poppy12345

You will need to send the evidence with the UC50 form when you return it. 

For the work capability assessment you will be referred by your work coach as I advised above. Then you will receive the form. Once this is returned you will likely need an assessment. Most are by telephone but some are either face to face or video. If either of those are needed then you will receive an appointment in the post. 

First things first have you reported your health condition, supported by a fit note? If you have them you will need to that. Then your work coach will refer you for the work capability assessment. 

Have you read the link I posted above? Lots of useful information in there. 

Spoonie_Turtle

The criteria for LCW and LCWRA are here (it says ESA but it's exactly the same) https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/esa_criteria

That page misses out a few things which are included in points 1-4 here https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/limited-capability-for-work-related-activity

calcotti

HouseKeeper01 said:

Thank you. I have another Q, I have already reported my eye sight loss, they know I have COPD, what kind of evidence would they require, and is a work capability assessment something I can ask for myself?

If you reported a health condition you should then have supplied details of a Fit Note from your GP in order to trigger the referral for the Work Capability Assessment. Have you detailed details of  Fit Notes?

Rubyroobs

HouseKeeper01 said:

Thank you. I have another Q, I have already reported my eye sight loss, they know I have COPD, what kind of evidence would they require, and is a work capability assessment something I can ask for myself?

Things like hospital letters if you are under any hospital consultants, opthalmology reports. If you have been certified partially sighted then a copy of the certificate, prescription list, if under a respiratory consultant for the copd, then evidence of that etc.

peteuk

What’s the vision like in your other eye?  PIP wont score high if your monovision.