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Original poster

Commitments review at Jobcentre

35 replies

StressedOutMumHere · 06/05/2022 17:22

Hi all,

I was wondering if someone is able to help offer some advice here..

I have just received a message in my journal to say that I have to go to "Attend your commitments review in a jobcentre"

Did anyone ever receive a second one of these while on UC?

My daughters DLA backdated payment came through yesterday and I updated my journal last night and today with this change.

I have been anxiously waiting for her DLA to come through so that I can start the process of applying for Careers allowance (I haven't applied yet as I am waiting for the form pack in the post)

I am really stressed that something is wrong with the claim.

Really hope someone can help

Thanks x

OP posts:
Original poster
StressedOutMumHere · 06/05/2022 17:38

Apologies if i didn't post this in the right place..

Hoping someone can help... bumping x

OP posts:
CactusFlowers · 06/05/2022 18:21

Is she getting middle or higher rate care? And did you report it as a change or just send a message about the dla?

Grotbag81 · 06/05/2022 18:32

It's just to assess what your work search commitments are. Message back saying you've been an unpaid carer for however long you have and now the dla has come through you are in the process of claiming carer's allowance.

You are legally not required to do any work related commitments whilst a carer and shouldn't be asked to attend the jobcentre, other than the odd yearly one, I never got asked to attend one.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Benefits
Original poster
StressedOutMumHere · 06/05/2022 18:41

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

She's been granted Middle Care rate by DLA ( I am still waiting for the award letter - I was told what rate she was granted over the phone and that its normal for her backdated payment to be released before the letter arrives)

I first sent a message on my journal to my work coach.

I then minutes later sent a message under "Payment" - I then got a reply telling me to report it under "Change of Circumstances/Children and people who live with you" to which I did.

On my journal it shows that she now receives DLA under her name.

I then got an apt of notification to come into the job centre to review my situation and agree to new commitments..

Should I be concerned that something is wrong with the claim due to this ?

Any help is greatly appreciated! x

OP posts:
CactusFlowers · 06/05/2022 18:44

Did you report a change of circumstances that you’re now a carer? You don’t have to get carers allowance to be a carer on UC.

if you’re a carer you won’t have appointments.

ToiletGambles · 06/05/2022 18:47

It's probably that they are going to stop you having 'commitments' to finding work if you are now confirmed as recieveing DLA for your daughter. It is a change in circumstances so they probably just need to discuss/clarify it!

Original poster
StressedOutMumHere · 06/05/2022 18:53

Hello there, I honestly can't thank you all for replying ! I have been worried sick over this. I suffer really bad from anxiety and something like this is crippling !!

I have not technically applied for the Carers allowance yet.. I rang today to request the form pack to be sent out via the post.

I was told that I had to wait for her DLA to come in first and that she had to be granted middle rate or above to be entitled for the Careers allowance. (Shes been granted Middle Care rate and Low mobility rate - as told ver the phone by DLA)

I rang the UC helpline earlier this evening but they wasn't any help and told me to just attend my apt.

My apt is not till towards the end of May and I'm worried sick that something is wrong.

Everything has been such a fight in regards to getting help for my Daughter and stuff like this is so stressful when you already have a child with additional needs.

x

OP posts:
chasegirl · 06/05/2022 18:55

Yep it will be to discuss your recent change, make sure your claim is upto date and shows your correct circumstances and maybe signpost to other support.

CactusFlowers · 06/05/2022 18:58

No, you don’t need to wait for the carers allowance to be a carer on uc. Honestly, read the link I added above. As a carer you don’t have appointments so it should get cancelled once you’ve reported you’re a carer.

however, bear in mind that they will deduct the carers allowance from your UC, but you will also get the extra UC carers element added.

Original poster
StressedOutMumHere · 06/05/2022 19:05

Thank you all ( Sorry, I'm new to this site and absolutely useless at technical stuff like quoting you individually so please bear with my slowness lol)

Thank you so much for sending me that link !

I am so confused with the Careers element .. I was told it's completely different from the Carers Allowance and that you can only apply for one ?

When applying for UC back in Jan, I did state that I was an unpaid Carer to my daughter.

The DLA took quite some time to come through.. I think it was about 10 weeks in total (backdated payment came in yesterday)

I feel like I could honestly cry through stress and worry

x

OP posts:
WelfareRights · 06/05/2022 19:08

You DO NOT have to claim carers allowance to be a carer on UC.

Go onto your UC account. On the Home tab select "report a change" and report that you are now a carer.

Once you are a carer, you do not have do anything in order to receive UC. That is you don't have to work, look for work, attend work focused interviews etc etc etc.

Claim carers allowance anyway and request backdating to when your daughter's DLA started. You should then receive backdated Carer's Element on your UC (make sure they give you this!).

TooManyPJs · 06/05/2022 19:12

StressedOutMumHere · 06/05/2022 19:05

Thank you all ( Sorry, I'm new to this site and absolutely useless at technical stuff like quoting you individually so please bear with my slowness lol)

Thank you so much for sending me that link !

I am so confused with the Careers element .. I was told it's completely different from the Carers Allowance and that you can only apply for one ?

When applying for UC back in Jan, I did state that I was an unpaid Carer to my daughter.

The DLA took quite some time to come through.. I think it was about 10 weeks in total (backdated payment came in yesterday)

I feel like I could honestly cry through stress and worry

x

No that's not correct. If you are receiving carers allowance and UC, you get the carer's element too.

You can also get the carer's element without claiming carers allowance if you meet all the criteria for carers allowance (except for the cap on earnings).

Your daughter had to be getting middle or highest rate care DLA before you could get either carers allowance or carers element.

So you now need to report the change in your UC account AND apply for carers allowance and request backdating to the start of your daughters DLA claim. Then make sure UC also backdate your carers element as soon as the backdated carers allowance is paid.

One step at a time!

Original poster
StressedOutMumHere · 06/05/2022 19:13

So you can get the Carers element aswel as the Carers allowance ? Both together ?

I swear the journal is so stressful ! I do be so scared incase I click the wrong thing or put something in wrong.

Does anyone have any experience of applying for the Carers allowance ? Was it fairly straight forward ?

Gosh, Il have no finger nails after all this from the worry x

OP posts:
gamerchick · 06/05/2022 19:16

You can apply for carers online. Tbh the carers part is the most straightforward, stress free thing.

CactusFlowers · 06/05/2022 19:17

You can claim both carers element and carers allowance but CA is deducted pound for pound from uc. However you get class 1 ni contributions if you claim CA and an extra £10 at Christmas.

WelfareRights · 06/05/2022 19:22

StressedOutMumHere · 06/05/2022 19:13

So you can get the Carers element aswel as the Carers allowance ? Both together ?

I swear the journal is so stressful ! I do be so scared incase I click the wrong thing or put something in wrong.

Does anyone have any experience of applying for the Carers allowance ? Was it fairly straight forward ?

Gosh, Il have no finger nails after all this from the worry x

Yes you can get both but carers allowance is deducted pound for pound. You will be better off overall though as you'll get the carers element.

The main reason to claim both together its for the backdating. But claiming both together also gives you a second income stream. So if something goes wrong with your UC claim. You'll still have your carers allowance coming in.

Reporting the change to be a carer in your uc account is very easy but you don't do it in your journal. Do it by reporting a change on the home tab.

Claiming carers allowance is also very straightforward and pain free! Just remember to request backdating to the start date of your daughters DLA claim.

Babyroobs · 06/05/2022 19:24

Carers allowance can take up to 12 weeks to be awarded. You then get a lump sum payment of backdated carers allowance which has to then be taken back off UC but you also are owed a back payment of carers element so that will be offset. It all comes right in the end.

Original poster
StressedOutMumHere · 06/05/2022 19:32

Thank you everyone !!!!! Sorry my replies are so slow to all your replies so apologies if I am repeating myself in anyway.

Thank you to every single one of you !!!! You have no idea how grateful I am !!!

My work coach is a bit intimidating and while I completely appreciate that she is there to do a job.. I just wish that there was a little more empathy :( x

OP posts:
Original poster
StressedOutMumHere · 06/05/2022 19:44

I have to go and get my daughter ready for bed now.

But, I will log on tomorrow and have a very good read through at all your replies.

*I will attempt to apply the Careers element (request it be backdated)

*I will have a look at maybe applying for the Careers allowance online.. instead of waiting for the form pack in the post (They said it takes 48hours to process and be sent out)

Please, may I come back if I need any help ? You have all been so kind and beyond helpful ❤

Many thanks from this stressed out no nails left Mummy x

OP posts:
TarasHarp55 · 06/05/2022 19:47

Sorry I can't help with anything OP but I just wanted to wish you the best of luck. I'm so sorry you're having to go through all this. Life can be so hard and such a battle at times.

I hope everything goes well for you.💐

Grotbag81 · 07/05/2022 00:06

Please apply for the carer's asap as it goes off the date you ring. You may also be eligible for extra support from your local council and worth asking for a carer's assessment.

VanillaIce1 · 07/05/2022 00:23

Does carers allowance back date to the day you recieved DLA?

Sortilege · 07/05/2022 00:32

Don’t wait for the Carer’s allowance to claim UC Carer’s element.

Do it as a change of circumstance on your UC journal, that you have been caring for a person receiving the required rate of DLA since x date (the date DLA was awarded from).

That should get your Carer’s element awarded ASAP and also limit your commitments.