Universal Credit - will I be rejected?

[stilllivingontheedge]

I work full time in a well paid job and my husband looks after our severely disabled children. We can't cope anymore so I have asked my employer for help and they said I could move departments and work fewer hours (shifts, but about 20 hours a week). It would mean a different office and a much shorter commute too.

I have no choice. If I don't do this I am going to have a breakdown and struggling to care for the children on his own is making my husband ill.

According to the universal credit calculator we would be entitled to universal credit but would I be penalised or refused it because I voluntarily gave up full time work?

You say disabled children indicating there is more than one of your children that is disabled. If they are both in receipt of at least middle rate care component of DLA then both you and your husband could both claim a carers element each. this would mean that you actually have no work commitments so cannot be penalized for working fewer hours. So I would say as long as you both declare yourselves carers for different children on the application ( there is a section which asks if you are a carer), then you will be fine.

Thanks @Babyroobs . Yes, two children. The youngest is high rate DLA but I suspect that will drop to mid rate at the next review. Eldest switching to PIP from mid rate DLA and I suspect he will get high rate.

My husband gets carers allowance but I don't (as I work) so how would that work with universal credit?

@Babyroobs sorry, I reread your post. I think I'm getting mixed up. I'm guessing declaring yourself as a carer for universal credit is different to claiming carers allowance

He will continue to get carers allowance paid separately to UC, but it is then deducted pound for pound at an averaged rate. But you should both get a carers element on the claim( around £163 each ).
So on your statement would show a standard couples element for you and dh, 2 x carers elements ( you obviously claim that for the child which dh doesn't claim the carers allowance for ), rent element if you pay rent, 2 x child elements and then 2 x child disability elements. There are different rates of child disability element depending whether middle or high rate care component of DLA.
These elements all add up to make your total Universal credit.
Then you will have some deductions for your wages, but a certain amount will be disregarded before deductions happens ( this amount will depend whether you claim rent element or have a mortgage). The deductions for wages reduce the whole award ( all elements added together).
Then carers allowance will be deducted.
You can get the carers element no matter how many hours you work as long as you provide 35 hours of care per week which I'm sure you do ! There is no earnings threshold to carers element like there is for carers allowance.

So DLA, Carers allowance for DH and child benefit are paid separately to UC. And you will not be benefit capped as you have disabled children and you will likely earn over the amount of wages needed to lift the cap anyway.

Yes It is. The criteria are basically the same - you need to be caring for 35 hours and child needs to be in receipt of at least middle rate care component of DLA. It's just that carers element is another element of UC and carers allowance is a seperate benefit and cannot be claimed if you earn more than £132 a week. It would be worthwhile for your dh to continue claiming carers allowance as it will credit him with a better class of NI contributions towards his state pension for the years he is a carer. He will still get a carers element on the UC claim too though. Sorry it's a confusing business !

@Babyroobs that's brilliant! Thanks so much for all your advice. Feeling much more optimistic now!

One last question (and a bit of a daft one!). Do I apply for universal credit on the day my hours change or wait until money gets short or earlier in anticipation of funds getting short?

Thanks again!