Universal Credit

[Berosey54432]

I am awaiting a complex primary total hip replacement I am 30 years old. I have two children and work part time. I suspect I will be off sick for between 6-12 weeks which I will receive half pay which will be below the AET on UC. Do they make exceptions… I wouldn’t be expected to look for work surely as I have a job that pays over £1,000 every month but half pay would only be £500 for 2-3 months whilst recovering. Hope that makes sense if anyone has experience/ advice let me know xx

I think they would contact you but you would just explain and it would be fine.
I have had a chat with them about this because I do supply teaching plus another job and don't earn as much during school holidays. I haven't actually been under the threshold yet but they did say that if I was I would probably get a call and have to explain but that they wouldn't be expecting me to look for any other work as it's a temporary situation.

I submitted a fit note in this situation and they were fine with it.

Once you send a fit note to say you cannot work for more than a week then, at least in theory, you'll be asked to complete a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) via form UC50. Under UC in theory, during the 3 month period it takes to assess your capacity for work, you're in the 'All Work' group so far as availability is concerned.

In practical terms, with a period of absence that's self limiting by recovery from surgery I'd expect you to be left alone.

Not sure how the WCA process works if you're in recovery from surgery with a clear horizon by which you'll be OK to return.

Part of your pay from work will be statutory sick pay so you will still be classed as employed and your UC will not be affected. It may even be a bit higher for a few months.

This . So you will still benefit from the Uc work allowance as SSP classed the same as earnings. As above you need to hand in sick notes to explain why you aren't working.