LCWRA — UC top-up for health problems
If because of your health (physical or mental) you cannot work and cannot prepare for work — ask your GP to issue a fit note and tell your Work Coach to refer you for a WCA assessment. LCWRA pays +£429.80/month (protected rate for those whose claim or WCA decision is dated before 6 April 2026) or +£217.26/month for new claims. It exempts you from job search and sanctions. Many refugees with PTSD do not know they are entitled.
How much it pays — two rates from 6 April 2026
The Universal Credit Act 2025 introduced a two-tier system. The date of your claim matters.
• Severe Conditions Criteria — descriptor applies "constantly" and with no prospect of improvement for life
• Special Rules End of Life (SREL) — life expectancy ≤12 months (extended from 6 to 12 in April 2022)
Where are you now?
Pick your situation — we will take you down the right route.
4 stages of the WCA process
From your first fit note to the LCWRA decision. Full detail in /en/lcwra/wca-process/.
What LCWRA gives you
• Activity 13 (initiating action) — depression makes it hard to start anything
• Activity 14 (coping with change) — any change triggers PTSD re-experiencing
• Activity 15 (engaging socially) — avoiding people, especially men in uniform
• Activity 16 (behaviour) — dissociative episodes, uncontrolled reactions
• Substantial Risk (Schedule 9 para 4) — if work would create a risk to health
Frequently asked questions
I am a refugee with PTSD and severe depression — can I get LCWRA?
Most likely yes. 73% of UC WCA decisions in late 2024 resulted in LCWRA. 68-69% of all WCA decisions in 2022-2024 had a recorded mental health condition. PTSD, severe depression, anxiety disorder, agoraphobia — these are typical grounds. Activities 13-16 (initiating action, coping with change, social engagement, behaviour) and the substantial risk override (Schedule 9 para 4) are the main routes for people with trauma.
How much does LCWRA pay?
It depends on when you claimed: if your UC claim or WCA decision is dated BEFORE 6 April 2026 — £429.80/month (protected rate, indexed annually). If AFTER — £217.26/month (frozen until April 2030). Severe Conditions Criteria (a permanent condition with no prospect of improvement) and terminally ill (SREL) — these keep £429.80 even for new claims.
I submitted a fit note a month ago — when will LCWRA payments start?
The LCWRA element starts in the 4th month after your first fit note (3-month "relevant period"). In practice the WCA process takes longer than 3 months — so DWP makes a lump sum backdated for the missed months. Do not rush, do not stop sending fit notes — they protect you from sanctions while the process runs.
I have been referred for a WCA — who runs it and in what format?
The provider depends on your region: Maximus (North England + Scotland), Capita (Midlands + Wales + Northern Ireland), Serco (South-West + Central South), Ingeus (London + South-East + East), Advo Health (added September 2024). Atos lost all contracts. Format: phone / video / in person — you can request your preferred format. Free interpreter on request. You can bring a support worker / friend. You can record (warn them in advance).
What is the WCA50?
WCA50 is the single questionnaire form for the Work Capability Assessment. From 24 November 2025 it replaced the old UC50 (for UC claimants) and ESA50 (for ESA). About 20 pages, you get around 4 weeks to fill it in. You can extend with a good reason. IMPORTANT: write in detail, describe your worst day, with concrete examples and frequency. See /en/lcwra/wca-process/ for a step-by-step guide.
I have been found Fit for Work — what happens next?
You have 1 month for Mandatory Reconsideration (extendable to 13 months with a good reason). MR success is around 22% — DWP rarely overturns its own decisions. Next is the First-tier Tribunal (free, no lawyer needed, panel = judge + doctor). Tribunal success rate for WCA is around 49% (higher for oral hearings). Do not give up — help is available: Citizens Advice, Z2K, local Welfare Rights, Law Centres. See /en/lcwra/wca-process/.
I do not score enough points — can I still get LCWRA?
Yes — through the Substantial Risk override (Schedule 9 paragraph 4 UC Regulations 2013, equivalent to ESA Reg 35). If work or preparing for work would create a substantial risk to health (yours or others) — the assessor MUST apply this rule, even if you have not scored points under Schedule 7. For refugees with PTSD this is often the main route. See /en/lcwra/substantial-risk/.