U C new claim and health

[UCBaffled]

Tax Credits just ended as teen has now finished education. Teen has ASD/ADHD so I’m not sure at this stage how they will get, or even manage to keep if they do get, a job.

DH disabled with a life limiting condition and very ill at the moment.
I also have a number of chronic health conditions but do work 22 hrs as that’s all I can manage and tbh those hours are too much and seriously affect my health and levels of pain.

Health question on UC claim asks if health affects ability to work. Well it does as there is no way I can work any more hours. However, there doesn’t seem to be anywhere to detail this info. It just jumps straight to ‘you need a sick note’ if I tick yes but I don’t have a sick note because I do work. At some point will a living person discuss this with me or will it just be a case of ‘computer says no’ and our claim will be rejected?

I’m terrified.

First of all don't worry that the entire claim might crash out due to your health; it won't.

As a starter do either DH or DS get PIP (or DLA) and do you spend 35 hours a weeks as carer for one or the other?

Thank you, that’s good to know.

DH does get pip, as does DS, I have put that I do care more than 35 hrs a week. I’m just too nervous to hope that it may all be straight forward after reading so many posts on here about UC!

Nobody can say with 100% certainty that your UC claim will sail through to first payment.

The issue for a claimant with a partner and adult non dependant might be that UC could ask you to take more work. They might do that by building an expectation into your claimant commitment based on an earnings target - the earnings threshold. In practice, unless you're on very low pay - Living Wage or only a wee bit over - the current pay would be sufficient.

However, provided you are doing 35 hours as a carer for EITHER DS or DP in receipt of PIP you're in the clear anyway and would not be subject to any work requirement.

Have you/DH been asked to attend an interview at the Job Centre or by phone?

TL:DR version of above is I think you'll be fine.

If you have an issue, post it in this thread and we'll try and help.

If you have identified yourself on your claim as a carer you will get the Uc carers element added. This will mean that you have no work commitments on UC so they cannot ask you to work more hours as you have no commitments. If your own health conditions affect the amount of hours you can work then you can report those on your application. Your dh will be assessed for work capability if he hands in sick notes ( assuming he's not already on ESA ), but only one of you can be paid the LCWRA element for being limited in work capability. That is likely to be your dh if you are claiming carers element as the same person cannot get both these elements. Sorry it is complex. once sorted and your dh has been awarded LCWRA, he will have that element and you will have carers element, but there is nothing to stop you handing in sick notes stating that you can only work x amounts of hours , you can also be assessed for limited capability for work but can't be paid that element if your dh is being paid it. Hope that makes sense.

Is your dh getting SSP or ESA ? Was he working in recent years before becoming too ill to work ?

As @Babyroobs says the other relevant factor is your husband's benefit status.

The context of your inquiry - offspring attaining 18/19 and leaving full time education - suggests you're migrating from 'legacy' Tax Credits etc. If your OH has a life limiting condition then I would expect him to have been on ESA and likely in the Support Group, UC calls Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCfWRA). If so it will follow him to UC without further hoop jumping.

If not then he may need to submit fit notes and complete a Work Capability Assessment.

The other loose end is your son - has he claimed UC in his own right?

Is he in any continuing education - for example life skills?

Thank you both so much.

DH does get ESA. Yes he did work until no longer able, I worked full time until unable due to him and Teen both needing help then my own health going.
Teen has just been to the job centre and started a claim for UC themselves, although I really am hoping there is some sort of job they can get into, they won’t be doing any further education. I’m running out of energy to push them along with everything else we have going on so I’m praying something comes up.

I feel a little more reassured that being a carer for DH means we won’t be facing too many hoops to jump through 🙏🏻

I’m so grateful to you both for all the info, not sure I can get my head around it all tbh. Tax credits was so much simpler! We only put the application in last night so will see what the results are.

Well I’m not holding out any hope that I wont have to jump through hoops. DH has had his meeting to take proof of i.d last week, mine is next week.
A note in his journal now says he needs a sick note whilst he waits for a work capability assessment. He has inoperable stage 4 cancer fgs.
Radiotherapy didn’t have much effect, he’s lost over 3 stone and literally just sleeps in a chair all day long before going back up to bed.
I bet they expect him to get a job working 40 hours a week. 🙄
DS hasn’t even been invited for any interviews yet either.

I feel this is going to be a battle.

Hi what you need to do is ask your dh's consultant. Nurse specialist or GP if he is appropriate to warrant a Ds1500 form ( now called an SR1 form I think ). If they will issue this form then there is no need for the work capability assessment and he will be awarded LCWRA quickly and the highest rate of PIP daily living. If you can get this form issued then you can just upload it to his journal and it is a very straight forward process from there. It does depend on his prognosis though whether they will issue this form , but it's worth asking. Please also if you have any queries do call your local mamcillan benefits team or their national helpline who will guide you through any benefit queries.

Thank you so much, I wouldn’t have had a clue to even ask!
I’m very grateful you know all this and are sharing your knowledge.
Thank you.

Has he had a work capability assessment through his ESA claim?

Yes he had one. The nurse took one look at his notes and told him he should never have been asked to come. However, it was more than 3 years ago (and pre cancer diagnosis) so UC are saying he needs a new one. Crazy, it’s not as if his health issue has been magically fixed, he’s got an extra one!