How to claim the extra Universal Credit payment if you have a health condition
Key points
- If a health condition limits your ability to work, you can ask Universal Credit to add an extra LCWRA payment on top of your monthly standard allowance
- From 6 April 2026, the LCWRA element is paid at either £429.80 a month for existing or protected claimants, or £217.26 a month for new claimants
- You start by writing in your UC journal — Citizens Advice can help you fill in the UC50 form and prepare for any assessment
If you have a health condition or disability that makes it hard to work, Universal Credit (UC) may pay you extra money each month on top of your standard amount. This extra payment is called the Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA) element, sometimes called the health element of UC. From 6 April 2026, the rules around who gets how much changed — so it is worth checking what you could be entitled to.
Millions of people who claim UC have a health condition. Many do not know this extra payment exists.
What conditions count?
You do not need a specific diagnosis. Mental health conditions, chronic pain, fatigue, learning disabilities, and physical disabilities can all qualify. What matters is the impact your condition has on your daily life and ability to work, not just what your diagnosis says on paper.
How much could you get?
The LCWRA element is added on top of your standard UC allowance — you receive both. From 6 April 2026, there are 2 rates:
- £429.80 a month — if you were already receiving this payment before 6 April 2026, or if you have a severe, lifelong condition or are terminally ill
- £217.26 a month — if you are making a new health claim on or after 6 April 2026 and do not have a severe, lifelong condition
How to claim
- Sign into your UC account and write in your journal to tell the DWP about your health condition and how it affects your life. Keep any letters or test results from your GP or hospital — these help support your claim.
- The DWP will send you a health questionnaire called a UC50. Fill it in with your worst days in mind, not your best. Describe what you cannot do, or can only do with difficulty or pain.
- You may be invited to a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) — by phone, video, or in person. Explain how your condition affects you day to day.
After the assessment, the DWP decides whether the LCWRA element applies to you.
Search for your next property on DSSmove →Getting help
The form and assessment can feel daunting. You do not have to do this on your own:
- Citizens Advice can help you fill in the UC50 and prepare for your assessment — find your local branch at citizensadvice.org.uk.
- Shelter can help if your health condition is also making it harder to find or keep a home.
What if the DWP says no?
You can challenge the decision. Ask for a mandatory reconsideration — it is free, and Citizens Advice can help you understand what evidence to include with your case.
Frequently asked questions
I already get Universal Credit but have never mentioned my health condition — is it too late?
It is not too late — you can report a health condition at any time through your UC journal, and Citizens Advice can help you prepare your statement and understand what to expect from the assessment.
Does the LCWRA element apply across the whole of the UK?
The LCWRA element applies to Universal Credit in England, Scotland, and Wales — for Northern Ireland, contact the Department for Communities, which runs its own version of Universal Credit.
Official source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-what-you-could-get-if-you-have-a-health-condition-or-disability