How much is Universal Credit limited capability for work?

LCW and LCWRA: the two groups

If your health condition or disability limits how much you can work for more than 28 days, you may have a Work Capability Assessment. After it, DWP decides that you are:

• fit for work: you look for work as normal and get no extra money
• limited capability for work (LCW): you prepare for work in the future, for example by writing a CV, but you do not have to look for a job
• limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA): you do not have to look for or prepare for work, and you may get extra money

Rates for 2026/27

These are added on top of your standard allowance.

Which LCWRA rate you get

You get the higher rate if any of these apply:

• you told DWP about your condition before 6 April 2026
• you were already getting LCWRA before 6 April 2026
• you were in the ESA support group before then
• you meet the severe conditions criteria: your condition means you cannot work, will last your whole life, will not get better, and is officially diagnosed
• you are terminally ill

Otherwise, if you report your condition on or after 6 April 2026, you get the lower rate. In a couple, you only get the lower rate if your partner also does not qualify for the higher rate.

The LCW amount

Since 3 April 2017, new claims get no extra money for LCW. If you were getting the LCW amount before then, you can keep £158.76 a month.

Worked examples

Example 1: Amira is single, aged 30, and has LCWRA at the higher rate. She has no other income.

• Standard allowance: £424.90
• LCWRA higher rate: £429.80
• Total: £854.70 a month, or £10,256.40 a year (before any housing or child amounts)

Example 2: Ben is single, aged 40. He first reported his condition in May 2026 and does not meet the severe conditions criteria. He gets the lower rate.

• Standard allowance: £424.90
• LCWRA lower rate: £217.26
• Total: £642.16 a month, or £7,705.92 a year

What changes the amount

• Timing. The extra money usually starts 3 monthly assessment periods after you started sending fit notes or other medical evidence.
• Earnings. If you or your partner earn, your Universal Credit goes down. But with LCW or LCWRA you get a work allowance, so you can earn some money first. In 2026/27 it is £710 a month, or £427 if you get help with housing.
• Earnings and assessments. You might not get an assessment if you earn over £881 a month.
• Savings and other income reduce Universal Credit in the usual way.

While you wait for a decision

Keep getting fit notes and adding them to your account until you get the decision. New claims get the standard allowance while waiting.

If you disagree

You can ask for a mandatory reconsideration, usually within one month of the date on your decision.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Universal Credit rates are the same across England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own system, so check nidirect.

Related guides

• Do I need a sick note for Universal Credit?
• How much is ESA?
• Can I get Universal Credit and PIP at the same time?
• How much Universal Credit will I get?
• What is the Universal Credit claimant commitment?

Where these figures come from

• Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027 (DWP)
• Universal Credit: what you could get if you have a health condition or disability (GOV.UK)
• Health conditions, disability and Universal Credit: after your assessment (GOV.UK)
• Report your health condition or disability (GOV.UK)
• Universal Credit if you have a disability or health condition (DWP)
• How to ask for mandatory reconsideration (GOV.UK)
• Changes to limited capability for work payments (DWP)