Universal Credit

Question

The Department does not centrally collect data surrounding the volume of Universal Credit claimants who have had claims restricted or rejected because of relevant period regulations.

For those who claim Universal Credit on health grounds, we generally determine if the claimant has limited capability for work (LCW), limited capability for work and work related activity (LCWRA) or is fit for work, based on the advice given by the Centre for Health and Disability Assessments’ health care professional who carried out the claimant’s work capability assessment (WCA).

Where the claimant is determined to have LCWRA, an additional amount of benefit may be awarded. This additional amount will be included in the Universal Credit award from the first full assessment period after the 3 month relevant period ends.

The 3 month relevant period in Universal Credit mirrors the 13-week assessment phase in Employment and Support Allowance and is used, in both benefits, to establish whether the claimant has a long-term health condition or a short term illness, and also ensures a consistent date of application, as there may be fluctuations in times taken to process and apply a decision following a WCA.