DWP finally pays backdated LCWRA but it's £478 underpaid - should I dispute?

any backpay will only be for whole UC monthly periods, any part periods of a few weeks won't be paid

Gaddy wrote:

Hi graham526, Well done you, like Chris has said the result is a success. Have you been provided with a reason why the money is short of what you believe it should be?

Hi Gaddy.. Thanks for your post.
The .pdf letter sent by the DWP is very unclear. There are no calculations.
Both payment letters give convoluted and contradictory info - which I think is the point.

The letters essentially state how much will be paid and at what date.
I arrived at my own calculation by adding up the LCWRA amounts applicable for each financial year with the relevant months I was eligible for LCWRA.

My experience is: the DWP initially commits to pay out just two-thirds of the full amount.
Only after badgering them through my UC account and reminding them they have a duty to offer me a Mandatory Reconsideration - did they relent and offer me a second payment.
But then again it was £478 short.

My interpretation of my experience is that this is 'normal procedure' when issuing large payments .
After being issued the first letter of payment - you can imagine that a lot of people who are low-income and vulnerable (i.e. just about everyone on LCWRA) - will settle on this payment.
But only if the customer demands for the full qualified entitlement and is persistent - will the DWP give way and provide a second payment.

Would there be the options of asking a welfare rights group/Citizens advice could take a look and advise you?

My local CAB is no longer funded by the Council.
But what has been extremely useful is my local YMCA completed my Work Capability Assessment form.
The person completing the form was experienced in doing this and asked me questions I would never have considered.
I also asked for a phone call assessment as I could not be bothered to visit one of their Work Capability centres.
I would recommend anyone having to complete a Work Capability Assessment form to enquire at their YMCA.
Alternatively ensure that a skilled person from a local advice/charity service can complete the form for you.

Or would a complaint to the area manager of the area that administers your claim be another option perhaps.

I impressed with your optimism in the DWP processes .
Thankfully my patient and professional messages to the DWP on my UC account ensured they didn't get aggravated with me.

I could tell they were trying to fob me off.
So this requires a cool but persistent stance towards them.

Mod David on here has been able to provide the name of who to contact to try and get issues resolved in whatever area you are in.

Thank you.
However after getting Chris's comment and learning about his challenges - I think I'm lucky I got any payment at all!
I think I'll just thank my lucky stars and walk away from this.

adam33 wrote:

any backpay will only be for whole UC monthly periods, any part periods of a few weeks won't be paid

Yes this is very helpful.
It is clear that my full entitlement will not include whole UC monthly periods.
The first month and the last month of the backdating period are likely not to be whole UC monthly periods.

In my case - the shortfall is just over one month of LCWRA payment.
So I can live with that.

David wrote:

Hi graham526 Has your issue now been resolved or is there anything I can help with? David

Thanks very much.
My issue has been resolved.
I'm glad I took the time to ask for everyone's thoughts.