Quitting Universal Credit / Limited Capability to work allowance

Horizon145

Hi there,

My partner and I live together and therefore have a joint Universal Credit claim.

I suffer a number of health issues and as such I receive my UC benefits as well as housing assistance allowance and Limited Capability to find work allowance.

However, due to my partner working full time and earning a salary that effectively means I get nothing of my entitled amount (every £1 she earns about the threshold takes 50p from my benefit amount) - and that means I get nothing each month of what I'm entitled to.

We are relocating from Scotland to England permanently and I'd like to completely come off all benefits as I don't receive any of the benefit amount (as mentioned) and I'd rather even try find part time work if I can as it would work out better for us financially (and for my own mental health).

How do I go about 'quitting' Universal Credit and the benefits I receive?
Is it a simple process?
Is there hoops I have to jump through to quit it?
Do I have to provide reasoning for wanting to come off all benefits?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Horizon145

Any help would be greatly appreciated

poppy123456

UC is one benefit made up of many different elements. As it’s means tested then entitlement will be based on your joint circumstances. 

Any earnings your partner receives each month above the work allowance will reduce your UC by 55%.
Are you currently receiving any UC eaxh month or is it just reduced to zero? If it’s just reduced to zero then you don’t have to do anything and your claim will just close, usually in about 6 months. 

Horizon145

Any help would be greatly appreciated

poppy123456 said:

UC is one benefit made up of many different elements. As it’s means tested then entitlement will be based on your joint circumstances. 

Any earnings your partner receives each month above the work allowance will reduce your UC by 55%.
Are you currently receiving any UC eaxh month or is it just reduced to zero? If it’s just reduced to zero then you don’t have to do anything and your claim will just close, usually in about 6 months. 

Hi there, thanks for replying.

It's reduced to £0 due to my partners earnings.

It's been this way for over 6 months and my (our) claim has never been closed?

They still regularly contact us to keep updated on circumstances etc, but as it's essentially useless to us at this stage and the fact I want to potentially find part time work (and not have them contacting me chasing updates on the regular) how do I go about closing down the claim and all benefits completely with immediate effect?

calcotti

Be aware that if you are no longer a UC claimant you will not be getting any NI credits towards your future State Pension entitlement unless you have some other basis for getting credits.

If you still have a health condition limiting your ability to work you can apply for new style ESA. You will likely not be entitled to any payment but can be referred for a new Work Capability Assessment and if found to have limited Capability for Work you will then get Class 1 NI credits.

poppy123456

Just put a message on your journal and ask them to close your claim. 

Horizon145

poppy123456 said:

Just put a message on your journal and ask them to close your claim. 

As simple as that? Do you know if they'll ask questions as to why etc?

Thank you so much for your help.

bg844

Horizon145 said:
As simple as that? Do you know if they'll ask questions as to why etc?

Thank you so much for your help.

They will ask what date you wish to close from, that’s all. After 6 months of £0 payments your claim is closed automatically anyway.

poppy123456

Horizon145 said:

As simple as that? Do you know if they'll ask questions as to why etc?

Thank you so much for your help.

Yes that simple and no questions asked. 

bg844 said:

After 6 months of £0 payments your claim is closed automatically anyway.

I already advised that but OP said it’s been more than 6 months. I’m assuming because of the LCW the claim has remained open. 

bg844

Sorry Poppy, my phone didn’t show me the above comments. 

poppy123456

bg844 said:

Sorry Poppy, my phone didn’t show me the above comments. 

No worries, it happens to me too.