When is the first LCWRA payment?

After a positive decision, you typically receive your first LCWRA payment in the fourth full Assessment Period after you first provided medical evidence (your first fit note). This “3-month waiting period” only counts complete monthly cycles.

• Backpay: Arrears are usually paid as a separate lump sum within 7 days of your decision letter.
• 2026 Rates: If your entitlement began before 6 April 2026, you are protected at the higher rate of £429.08. Claims starting after this date receive the new Health Element rate of £217.26, unless you meet the “Severe Conditions Criteria.”

Receiving a positive Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) decision is a major milestone, but for many, the relief is quickly replaced by confusion. If your journal now shows you have been awarded the health element, you are likely wondering: “When will the money actually hit my account?”

In 2026, this question is more critical than ever. With the introduction of the New Health Element rate in April 2026, understanding exactly when your entitlement began determines whether you receive the £429.08 protected rate or the new £217.26 rate.

This guide breaks down the “3-month rule,” how to calculate your first payment date, and what to do if your backpay looks incorrect.

When Will I Receive My First LCWRA Payment?

The most important thing to understand is that the DWP does not pay the LCWRA element immediately. There is a mandatory 3-month “Relevant Period” (waiting period). You only become eligible for the extra money in the fourth full Assessment Period after you first reported your health condition and provided a fit note.

The “Full Assessment Period” Trap

A “month” in DWP terms is not 30 days; it is your specific Assessment Period (AP).

• If your AP runs from the 10th to the 9th, and you submitted your first fit note on the 12th, the remaining days of that month do not count toward your 3-month wait.
• Your 3-month waiting period only starts at the beginning of the next full cycle.

2026 Payment Timeline Calculator

LCWRA Backpay: How Much Are You Owed?

Because the assessment process often takes 5–8 months, most claimants are owed backpay (arrears). Backpay is the money owed to you from the end of your waiting period up to the date of your first increased payment.

Calculating Your Arrears

Backpay is usually paid as a separate lump sum, not as part of your monthly UC statement.

Important: If your waiting period ended before 6 April 2026, you are entitled to the higher “Protected Rate” for all backdated months, even if the decision was made after the April cut-off.

2026 Rate Comparison

3 Common Reasons Your First Payment is Delayed

If your decision letter has arrived but your “Statement” hasn’t changed, one of these three issues is likely the cause:

1. The “Fit Note Gap” Issue

To qualify for backpay, you must have an unbroken chain of fit notes. If there is even a 24-hour gap (e.g., one note ended on Sunday and the next started on Monday), the DWP may “reset” your 3-month waiting period from the date of the second note.

• What to do: Ask your GP to backdate the newer fit note to cover the gap.

2. Administrative Processing (Case Manager Delay)

While the “Decision Maker” awards the LCWRA, your “Case Manager” must manually update your payment schedule. In early 2026, backlogs due to the Managed Migration of old benefits have caused delays of 2–4 weeks in updating statements.

3. Moving from LCW to LCWRA

If you were already in the LCW group and were moved to LCWRA because your condition worsened, the 3-month waiting period does not apply. You should receive the increase from the Assessment Period in which you reported the change.

Some health conditions may qualify you for LCWRA without needing to go through the standard waiting period. These include severe or terminal illnesses that meet specific DWP criteria.

A helpful reference guide on conditions that automatically qualify you for LCWRA outlines the recognised medical conditions that may entitle claimants to bypass the usual assessment and delay.

FAQ about “LCWRA First Payment After Decision”

How is backpay paid?

It is usually paid into your bank account as a separate transaction. It often appears 3–5 working days after you receive the “Notice of Requirement” or “WCA Outcome” letter in your journal.

Will my backpay be affected by the 2026 benefit cap?

No. LCWRA claimants are exempt from the Benefit Cap. If the cap was previously being applied to your claim, your backpay should also include the “refund” of the money the DWP previously capped.

Can I see a breakdown of my backpay calculation?

The DWP does not automatically provide a breakdown. If you believe the amount is wrong, you must request a “Full Arrears Breakdown” via your journal.

I am terminally ill; do I still wait 3 months?

No. Under the “Special Rules for End of Life,” there is no waiting period. You are entitled to the LCWRA element from the first day of the Assessment Period in which you submitted your SR1 form.

Summary Checklist for Claimants

• Check the date of your first Fit Note: This is your “Day Zero.”
• Identify your Assessment Period dates: (e.g., 14th to 13th).
• Count 3 full APs: This is your “Relevant Period.”
• Verify the rate: Ensure you are being paid £429.08 if your waiting period ended before April 6, 2026.
• Note any gaps: If your fit notes weren’t continuous, prepare to challenge the DWP.

What to do next: If your decision was more than 10 days ago and no money has arrived, post this in your journal:

“I was awarded LCWRA on [Date]. My waiting period ended on [Date]. I have not yet received my backpay or an updated statement. Please provide an update on when my arrears will be paid.”