College study and LCWRA

[Confusedandvulnerable]

Not sure if this is the correct place for this but I’m in receipt of PIP and UC LCWRA for mental health issues.

Sitting at home all day is not helping me at all I feel, and I wanted to look at what I can do to improve this as I find a routine to be very helpful in managing these difficulties.

I’m also starting to find isolation difficult, and feel I may like to try something just to see how I am able to cope. Genuinely cannot see life improving for me if I carry on the way I am.

I had a look at a local college and what is offered as initially I trained in art years ago, but this subject has really got me nowhere I feel, and the arts is such a competitive industry.

I know you are allowed to study part time on UC. Issue is, the course I am interested in is full time, I am unable to find any part time courses that offer what I want.

Only issue is, if one is in receipt of PIP and LCWRA because they find face to face contact with others difficult then this would likely be contradicting the reasons for LCWRA.

I equally can’t afford to lose the money, but then what am I supposed to do if I cannot try and improve my life because it would go against me?

I find it appalling really that people are threatened with having the money removed if they wish to try and improve their life. I feel as though once on benefits you can’t get off them due to this.

Would I be unreasonable to just apply for a course full time, study for it and not tell them? I equally don’t want to get into trouble for doing this as I equally need the money. It’s so difficult.

If starting a course means potentially losing the money then sadly I’ll just have to forget it and remain on benefits it seems.

Can anyone give me some advice? TIA

@Mrsttcno1 That does seem strange if it wouldn’t contradict any of the reasons for LCWRA. What are people less fortunate meant to do if so? Struggle in poverty? Particularly if they are only able to run the business part time due to their health.

Adding to @Mrsttcno1 's post, if you can go to college and study then you are fit to work in the eyes of the DWP.

@Frumpitydoo How is one equally expected to live with no money?

Depends what business if is.

If for example she gets LCWRA for mental health and fatigue but she sets up a little Etsy business selling printables which therefore doesn't require face to face talking to people, etsy handles all the invoicing, and can be done in periods around her fatigue then that would be fine.

LCWRA is limited capacity to work not no capacity to work.

Plenty of people have fluctuating conditions and this is taken into account by LCWRA and PIP.

I don’t believe the intention is for anybody to ever struggle in poverty, but the point is that those who are capable of working should work. Removing LCWRA does not remove all UC, and so those people working are not worse off or at a financial disadvantage, they will simply be on the sliding scale of UC, having their wage topped up unless/until they are earning an amount on which they are no longer eligible for UC.

Working part time doesn’t mean you wouldn’t receive any UC, you will never be worse off for working, so those who are in poverty and capable of working CAN and are encouraged to do so because they will be better off for doing so. Lots of people work and also receive UC top ups, it isn’t one or the other.

People's conditions massively fluctuate though.
I work on LCWRA. Some months I manage 10 hours over the whole month. Some months I manage 2. Many months I manage 0. My fatigue condition varies significantly. A removal of LCWRA would mean that I would be in poverty on the 0 months and I would be expected to find other work which I can't do because on the 0 months I can't work. I had a meeting with the job centre to ask if I could do this work and was encouraged to give it a try with an understanding that if would vary significantly each month due to my fatigue condition and an understanding that it wouldn't impact my LCWRA. At reassessment my condition is just as fluctuating as it was when I was first awarded it.

@Universalsnail Thank you for clarifying this a bit more. I would be surprised if working on a small business by yourself would contradict LCWRA for the face to face reason.

I guess we will see what happens when I am reassessed. But according to the job centre, which I have all in writing, i am allowed to do this work without no longer being entitled to LCWRA. I have autism and ME/CFS and so condition fluctuates massively.

As I say, this is my first hand experience, working in an organisation that supports people through these processes as well as others. I have directly seen exactly that happen.

The risk is yours and yours alone to take of course, but if you really can’t afford to lose the money then I can’t stress enough that I would recommend discussing any study etc with them first.

@Universalsnail Mine also massively fluctuates and LCWRA doesn’t mean no capability at all so don’t really see why a small Etsy store working from home should affect it. It’s not exactly ‘going out’ to work.

I imagine unfortunately it's an assessor dependent thing. Some assessors are outright awful.

@Mrsttcno1 In my opinion it’s a disgrace those people got their money removed for simply trying some work.

Can’t wait for this new health element to be introduced as this might mean those who try don’t lose the money so abruptly.

@Confusedandvulnerable Sorry I don't understand your question?
To be clear I detest the DWP and am not in agreement with their rules, but if you can work, whether that is college study or running your own small business, then in their eyes, you are fit for work.

@Universalsnail Theres even people who have killed themselves due to assessors removing their money. It’s a disgrace because not all people claiming are scroungers.

Where are you based OP? I am currently working with an autism charity who help you find work that you can do that is sustainable for you. They are east midlands based. Can pass on the details if you are in the east midlands. I signed up to them as tbh the thought of being on benefits my whole life feels so bleak but my ability is so small. They have training opportunities and fully support you. I've only just started working with them but they seem like they may be able to help.

@Frumpitydoo And if the business dosen’t make you enough money then back to square 1 in poverty because you’ve lost your safety net.

Not everyone is capable of taking on a second job if the business is slow to profit at first.

A lot of people struggle with even just the one. So I do think those people with LCWRA should get transitional protection of some sort so they can at least try something without fear of being worse off. This Governments a joke.

the rules of universal credit state that if you have a disability and have been assessed and placed in the LCWRA group already doing a full time college course is fine. They tightened up the rules a few years ago so you have to be assessed while not in full time education.

it’s a brilliant use of your time, good luck.

@Universalsnail I’m East Midlands. I’d be happy to receive details about the charity.

I receive LCWRA and work a bit. I have severe mental health issues and struggle with leaving the house / interacting with people. I’m not expecting it to continue at my next review even though I couldn’t cope with full time work. I did try and increase my hours but got very ill so had to drop down again.

They are Autism East Midlands. It's the employment support team you want. I just emailed them and they send me an application form.

@Sweetladyjane If you have the ongoing issues then this money should continue.

If they tell you no then hard as it may be to do so, take them to tribunal, and fight for what you deserve.

These have generally more sympathetic people than DWP.

@Universalsnail Thank you.

@LoveSandbanks Thank you for this info. I really hope your right however based on others opinions regarding this it’s not looking promising that it’s something I’ll be able to do without losing the money.

This is from the Gov.uk website, UC eligibility:

Students with disabilities or health conditions
You can claim Universal Credit if you’re in full-time education, and have been assessed as having limited capability for work by a Work Capability Assessment before starting your course. You must also be entitled to any of the following:

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Child Disability Payment (CDP) in Scotland
Attendance Allowance
Armed Forces Independence Payment
Adult Disability Payment (ADP) in Scotland

OP- if you've had the LCWRA decision and have a PIP award, you're good to go.

IMO, it is not worth the risk.

I am in LCRWA and feel trapped too. I also wanted to set up a little crafty business, but was told that I would likely be reassessed as LCW if I did so. I am on it for MH reasons... and all the work that comes with setting up and running a business would mean I could potentially do the work preparation courses that the Job Centre send you on... on half the money I am on now. Being honest with myself, I can do stuff with my hands, but would not be able to do the admin/marketing side of it anyway. I craft to stay distracted, and beat the isolation by attending various groups.

Also, what new health element are you referring to? If it is the one proposed that insists that anyone not on PIP is swinging the lead, then no... that is not something to look forward to.