Benefits

collcass

Hi everyone, I'm new to all this computer messaging so please be patient with me iv just been awarded lcwra and small amount of pip, my husband is retired and gets full state pension but we still pay full mortgage and still pay full council tax £169 per month all utility bills with no help I have applied to the council and apparently we are not entitled because wer home owners and husband gets full pension. Seems so unfair we really are feeling the pinch since I became ill, is this right please.

poppy123456

LCWRA is part of UC and you'll be claiming this as a couple, if you live with your partner. Their state pension will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

You will be entitled to extra money for the LCWRA element from the 4th month after you reported your health condition, providing you sent a fit note within 7 days of that and continued to send them without any gaps until a decision was made on your work capability assessment. When it's paid from exactly will depend what date you reported your health condition/sent your first fit note and what date you usually receive your money each month.

If your PIP includes the daily living part and your partner looks after you for at least 35 hours per week then they will be able to claim carers element of UC for looking after you.

Unfortunately, you will not be able to claim for help with the mortgage. There's support for mortgage interest (SMI) but this is a loan only and needs to be repaid back in the future. It will also only pay the interest on your mortgage. See link. https://www.gov.uk/support-for-mortgage-interest/eligibility

Unfortunately, benefits do not take into consideration any bills you have to pay.

Council tax reduction can be claimed from your local Authority. I can't give any advice on that because all LA's have their own rules.

collcass

Thank you for swift reply, we have tried for carers allowance and have been refused.

ShirleyW

collcass said:

Thank you for swift reply, we have tried for carers allowance and have been refused.

Carer's Allowance is different to the Carer's Element that Poppy above is talking about.

Because your husband is caring for you, UC will pay an extra Element called Carer's Element and this is added to your UC.

Why was Carer's Allowance turned down?  Was it just because your husband is State Pension Age?

If someone's State Pension is more than £69.40 per week nothing is actually paid but they are still entitled to an Underlying Entitlement to Carer's Allowance which can increase certain benefits.

How close are you to State Pension Age yourself?  Once you are both State Pension Age you may be able to claim Pension Credit which is much more generous than UC.

collcass

Thank you I will apply, yeh my husband was refused as he is on full pension I'm 64 this year so have a few more years before I get my pension.

poppy123456

To claim carers element of UC your husband needs to report a change of circumstances on his journal. Then click "caring for someone" then tell them that he cares for you for at least 35 hours per week. Your UC maximum entitlement will then increase by £168.81/month.

A claim for carers allowance isn't needed to be entitled to carers element.

collcass

Thank you will do that today.

calcotti

How soon will you reach pension age yourself?

ShirleyW

collcass said:

Thank you I will apply, yeh my husband was refused as he is on full pension I'm 64 this year so have a few more years before I get my pension.

She's only 63.