Pip and Universal credit

[MRSAHILL]

I posted earlier under a different title but didn't get any response, so just thought I'd try again. I am the full time carer for my dh who is in receipt of pip. I receive carers allowance because of this and we also jointly claim universal credit. Both of us are classed as not required to seek work for universal credit purposes and my dh is in the ESA support group. His pip claim is currently under review and, I realise I am jumping the gun here, but I am worried about a possible situation that may arise if he is not granted pip again. If it was refused we would go to mandatory reconsideration and, if needs be, a tribunal. However, I am aware that it could be months before we got a tribunal date and obviously his pip and my carers allowance would stop during this time. Would universal credit require me to actively seek employment during this time as I would no longer be officially his carer in their opinion due to my carers allowance stopping. I have worked all my life apart from the last 2 years when he had a psychotic breakdown and I became his full time carer, as he cannot be left alone. He is also under the care of the early intervention team for psychosis. I am not workshy but I could not be his full time carer and also get a job. Just because pip might be refused it doesn't mean he'll stop needing a carer. Please could anyone advise me as to what my position would be with universal credit, should the worst happen and pip be refused. Apologies for the long message and thanks for any advice received.

If you do go into the group that needs to look for work then you will have a work coach- if you speak to them and explain the situation then they might switch off your ‘commitments’ for you. They could agree to telephone appointments instead of face to face- ask them.
Hope it all gets sorted for you.

@CiderJolly thank you for that information. When you say they may switch off my "commitments" do you mean they would say I wouldn't have to actually apply for jobs?

[quote MRSAHILL]@CiderJolly thank you for that information. When you say they may switch off my "commitments" do you mean they would say I wouldn't have to actually apply for jobs? [/quote]
Work coaches have discretion to reduce or stop work commitments.

@Babyroobs thanks for the reply, I recognise your name as you have given me good advice on previous occasions. Does the work coach have the power to say my caring responsibilities mean I don't have to actively look for a job, even if my dhs pip has stopped and therefore my carers allowance has also stopped? Thanks again

@MRSAHILL Yes they can- they will still want to see you to discuss your circumstances- again they have some discretion as to how often and they may be able to offer some phone appointments. They can signpost to support in your area. I would advise to just be really honest and work with them. Always note your journal with your circumstances.

@MRSAHILL your work coach might set it so you have to look for work less than what is normally required also. This happened to me when a family member lost there PIP temporarily i had to speak employment and spend 16hours a week looking for work which is apparently less than normal as i explained my circumstances

Thanks for both those really helpful replies. @SBParker99 when they required you to spend 16 hours per week looking for work, did they actually make you go for interviews and possibly start a job during this time if you were offered one? I could spend time looking for jobs online whilst I am caring for my dh (he lies on the settee a lot during the day) but my problem is that if I had to actually go out to work I'd be in a situation where I had to employ a carer to sit with him and that would cost me more on an hourly rate that what I'd possibly be earning myself. He occasionally has support workers from the early intervention service take him out, sit with him etc but its only for an hour at a time and can be at differing times weekly, not enough for me to commit to even a part time job. I realise I am racing ahead of myself here, as his pip has not actually been refused yet, but I think the only thing that has kept him from being sectioned long term is the fact that I look after him round the clock. Thanks again for the replies.

@MRSAHILL hi i didn’t recieve a job offer in that time but they did expect me to look (and prove) i was applying and looking for jobs. Thankfully the pip and carers was reinstated within about 3 months for us but yes i did have to attend the job centre monthly (usually it’s fortnightly) he won’t have to attend or look for work if he can get sick notes of his GP

@SBParker99 thanks for the reply. I don't think anyone would offer me a job with my caring commitments and my husband could easily provide sick notes from the GP, so that's a relief. I'll just have to hope that if pip is refused, we'd get it at mandatory reconsideration or at worst a tribunal and hope that it wouldn't take too long. Its good to hear that the work coach can be flexible, so thanks again for the information.

Just a quick update to anyone who is interested. I rang the pip department today and they've said there is a massive backlog and they have put a lot of reviews on the "backburner" and it could be months before they look at dhs. It was originally extended, without review, during covid to next November and the lady I spoke to said it may not even be looked at until then, even though I submitted the forms in January. I just hope that if they only look at the forms in November that I don't have to fill them all in again!

@MRSAHILL

Just a quick update to anyone who is interested. I rang the pip department today and they've said there is a massive backlog and they have put a lot of reviews on the "backburner" and it could be months before they look at dhs. It was originally extended, without review, during covid to next November and the lady I spoke to said it may not even be looked at until then, even though I submitted the forms in January. I just hope that if they only look at the forms in November that I don't have to fill them all in again!

I wouldn't worry about it not being awarded again. If your dh needs a lot of supervision and is at risk and you have medical evidence, there should not be a problem.

@Babyroobs thank you, that is very reassuring. I sent a copy of his care plan which stated he is unsafe around sharp objects in the home, he has bad history with scissors, knives, matches and the gas hob etc due to previous suicide attempts and has to be accompanied outside at the moment due to him trying to jump off a multi storey car park roof recently. He has other strange thoughts and is on a lot of anti psychotic meds and he also suffers from general anxiety disorder and takes meds for that. I filled in the form as detailed as I could. He was assessed by social services a while ago and assessed as needing support, but they wanted him to have more therapy before they left a care worker alone with him. I am more than happy to care for him but realise not all carers would be prepared to sit with him. That is why pip is so important to us. Thanks for the advice.