From 6 April 2026, major changes apply to the Limited Capability for Work and Work‑Related Activity (LCWRA) element of Universal Credit, following the Universal Credit Act 2025 and the UC and ESA (Rates of Allowances) (Amendment) Regulations 2026. DWP guidance is set out in ADM Memo 04/26.
Two LCWRA rates now apply
LCWRA is no longer a single flat‑rate addition. Instead, there are now two separate rates, depending on when LCWRA is awarded and the claimant’s circumstances.
- Lower rate LCWRA
Applies where LCWRA is first determined on or after 6 April 2026, unless the claimant is protected.
Rate (6 April 2026 – 5 April 2027): £217.26 per assessment period. - Higher rate LCWRA
Continues to apply to certain protected groups.
Rate (6 April 2026 – 5 April 2027): £429.80 per assessment period.
Who keeps the higher rate?
Claimants will continue to receive the higher‑rate LCWRA if they fall into one of the following categories:
Pre‑2026 claimants
A claimant is protected if they:
- Were entitled to LCWRA before 6 April 2026, and
- Have been continuously entitled to UC including LCWRA.
Short gaps caused solely by non‑payment (award under £0.01) do not break continuity if they last under 6 months.
Protection also applies where, on 5 April 2026, the claimant:
- Was awaiting a first WCA decision
- Had LCW and was awaiting reassessment
- Had been found LCWRA but had not yet served the relevant period
- Was moving from ESA Support Group into UC without a break
Terminally ill claimants
Terminally ill claimants (where death can reasonably be expected within 12 months) are automatically treated as having LCWRA and always receive the higher rate.
Severe Conditions Criteria (SCC)
Claimants meeting the SCC also remain on the higher rate. This applies where:
- An LCWRA descriptor applies constantly and for life
- The condition is lifelong and diagnosed via NHS services
- No further reassessment is required unless there was an error or a relevant change of circumstances
Why this matters for advisers
- Most new LCWRA awards after 6 April 2026 are significantly lower
- Transitional protection is complex but critical – many claimants may wrongly be placed on the lower rate
- Continuity of entitlement, assessment timing, and ESA history must be checked carefully
- SCC and terminal illness routes remain essential safeguards against reduced awards
Action for advisers:
Always establish when LCWRA was first determined, whether entitlement has been continuous, and whether any protected category applies before accepting a lower‑rate award.