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Can you ask for your Universal Credit LCWRA decision to be reviewed?

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UKUpdated · Written by BuyMeWhiskey Editorial Team · How we check facts

Yes: if you disagree with a Work Capability Assessment decision, ask for a mandatory reconsideration within one month and then appeal; if your health has worsened, report it as a change of circumstances in your Universal Credit account, which can lead to a new assessment.

Disagree with your decision? Ask for a mandatory reconsideration before the one-month deadline. Your decision letter and GOV.UK explain how.

Ask for mandatory reconsideration (GOV.UK)

"Review" means different things in different situations

There's no single "LCWRA review request" form. What you can do depends on why you want it looked at again:

  1. You think the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) decision was wrong, for example you were found fit for work or given limited capability for work (LCW) rather than LCWRA. You challenge the decision.
  2. Your health has got worse, or you have a new condition, since the decision. You report a change of circumstances, which can lead to a new assessment.
  3. You already have LCWRA and want to know about reassessments or the rate you're paid.

1. Challenging a WCA decision

Ask for a mandatory reconsideration, normally within one month of the date on your decision letter. You can ask later if you have a good reason, such as being in hospital or a bereavement. Explain which parts of the decision you disagree with and send any medical evidence the assessor didn't see. Your decision letter tells you how to ask.

If the decision isn't changed, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. You'll need your mandatory reconsideration notice, and you normally have to appeal within one month of getting it. If you appeal later, you'll have to explain why, and the appeal might not be accepted.

2. Your condition has got worse

GOV.UK says you must report changes to your health straight away, including if it gets better or worse or you develop a new condition. You do this in your Universal Credit account. If the change affects your capability to work, you may need fit notes again and may be asked to have a new WCA, which starts with the WCA50 health questionnaire, where you can include treatment plans and test results.

While you wait for a decision after reporting a change, you'll keep getting the same Universal Credit amount. A new assessment looks at your situation as it is now, so prepare it as carefully as a first claim: describe your worst days as well as typical ones, and give evidence from the professionals treating you.

3. If you already get LCWRA

You'll get a letter if you need another assessment in the future. You can't choose when this happens. If you start working, you won't need another assessment unless your health changes. If your health improves, you have to report that too.

People assessed as having a severe, lifelong health condition or disability won't usually need another assessment. You're treated as having one if your condition means you can't work, will last your whole life, won't get better and is officially diagnosed by a health professional. If the WCA finds this, the decision letter says so.

The two LCWRA rates from 6 April 2026

The Universal Credit Act 2025 split the LCWRA amount into two rates from 6 April 2026:

  • Higher amount: £429.80 a month. You get this if you told the DWP about your condition before 6 April 2026 (whatever the date of the LCWRA decision), were already getting LCWRA before that date, moved over from the ESA support group under the transitional rules, or have a severe, lifelong condition or are nearing the end of life.
  • Lower amount: £217.26 a month. This applies if you declared your condition on or after 6 April 2026, don't have a severe, lifelong condition, aren't nearing the end of life, and your partner (if you have one) isn't entitled to the higher amount.

So for someone who declared their condition after April 2026, whether the WCA records a severe, lifelong condition makes a big difference. If you think it should have, you can challenge that decision in the same way.

When the money starts

LCWRA is usually added 3 monthly assessment periods after you started sending medical evidence such as fit notes. It can be added straight away in some cases, for example if you have 12 months or less to live.

Free help

Citizens Advice, local welfare rights services and disability charities can help you write a mandatory reconsideration or prepare for a tribunal. That's often worth doing, because the first decision isn't always the final one.

LCWRA extra amount per month, 2026/27
Lower amount£217.26Higher amount£429.8

Worked example

Lee claims Universal Credit and declares a long-term condition on 1 June 2026. On 10 September 2026, the WCA decision says he has LCW, not LCWRA. Because his claim started after 2017, LCW adds nothing to his award.

  1. Deadline: he asks for mandatory reconsideration within one month, by 10 October 2026, and sends a new letter from his consultant.
  2. If he's awarded LCWRA at the lower rate (he declared after 6 April 2026): £217.26 × 12 = £2,607.12 a year extra.
  3. If the decision also accepts a severe, lifelong condition: £429.80 × 12 = £5,157.60 a year, which is £5,157.60 − £2,607.12 = £2,550.48 more than the lower rate.
  4. If the reconsideration doesn't change anything: he has one month from the date of the reconsideration notice to appeal to a tribunal.

If Lee had declared his condition in March 2026 instead, he'd get the £429.80 higher amount if awarded LCWRA, even without a severe, lifelong finding.

How do I challenge an LCWRA decision?#

Ask for a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the date on your decision letter, explaining what you disagree with and adding any new medical evidence. If it isn't changed, you can appeal to a tribunal within one month of the reconsideration notice.

Can I ask for a new Work Capability Assessment if my health gets worse?#

Report the change in your Universal Credit account straight away, because you must tell DWP if your health gets better or worse or you have a new condition. DWP may then ask you to provide fit notes and complete a new assessment. You keep getting the same Universal Credit amount until a decision is made.

How often is LCWRA reviewed?#

There's no fixed timetable. DWP writes to you if you need another assessment. People found to have a severe, lifelong condition don't usually need another one, and starting work doesn't trigger a reassessment unless your health changes.

How much is LCWRA in 2026/27?#

The higher LCWRA amount is £429.80 a month and the lower amount is £217.26 a month. You get the higher amount if you declared your condition before 6 April 2026, were already getting LCWRA then, or have a severe, lifelong condition or are nearing the end of life. Most people who declared on or after 6 April 2026 without a severe, lifelong condition get the lower amount.

How long after my assessment will LCWRA be paid?#

LCWRA is usually included 3 monthly assessment periods after you started sending medical evidence such as fit notes. It can be added straight away if you have 12 months or less to live.

Keep reading

Sources

  1. GOV.UK (DWP): Universal Credit – what you could get if you have a health condition or disability (2 LCWRA rates from 6 April 2026)
  2. GOV.UK: Universal Credit – what you'll get (LCWRA amounts)
  3. GOV.UK: Health conditions, disability and Universal Credit – report your health condition or disability
  4. GOV.UK: Health conditions, disability and Universal Credit – if you have a Work Capability Assessment
  5. GOV.UK (DWP): Universal Credit – health conditions and disability guide
  6. GOV.UK: Challenge a benefit decision (mandatory reconsideration)
  7. GOV.UK: Appeal a benefit decision

Figures checked against these sources on 6 October 2026. If a rule changes, we update the page and its date.

General information, not personal financial advice. Rules depend on your circumstances; check the official source or speak to a regulated adviser before acting.