UC Allowance

Bultico

Hello there all,

I claim UC with LCWRA and receive £344 UC and 355 £LCWRA.
I came across an article in the forum says if you do not claim the housing element of UC your payment should be £573 not £344.
So in my case , I don't use (for now) the housing element and receive £344.
AM I entitled to receive £573 ?
Sorry for the question , but I'm new and still figuring out how the system works.

Thank you in advance 
and have a beautiful sunny day

Bultico

Sorry the correct numbers are
Standard Allowance £334.91
LCWRA £354.28

poppy123456

You've misunderstood what you've read. Those amounts of £573 and £344 refer to the work allowance, if you and/or a partner are working and receiving earnings. It means that you can earn either of those amounts before the 55% deductions apply. If you don't work, then the work allowance doesn't apply to you.

Full details here. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-work-allowances/universal-credit-work-allowances

Bultico said:

I claim UC with LCWRA and receive £344 UC and 355 £LCWRA.

If you're not working and you're a single person then your UC will be standard allowance £334.91 (over 25) and LCWRA element £354.28/month. There's no element that's £344.

Bultico

Thank you Poppy.
Can you also guide me with the cap on work earnings in my situation Please?

Thank you 

poppy123456

There's no earnings limit when claiming UC. Of course the more you earn the less UC you're entitled to. Your work allowance will be £573/month so any earnings you receive over this amount will reduce your UC by 55%.

If you start working you must report the changes and tell them you're working. Do also be aware that if the work you do contradicts the reasons why you're claiming LCWRA then it can go against you at your next review.

All above figures will increase from 10th April when benefits increase by 10.01%.

Bultico

Thanks again Poppy,
Is the housing element also increased?

poppy123456

You said you weren't claiming housing element?

Bultico

Not Yet ,but I will

poppy123456

If you'll be privately renting then your rent will depend on the Local housing allowance for the area you live and your circumstances. If you'll be living alone and you're under 35 then you'll be entitled to the shared rate of LHA, unless you're claiming either daily living PIP or mid/high rate care DLA and then you'll be entitled to the 1 bedroom rate.

If you're 35 and over you'll be entitled to the 1 bedroom rate, regardless of whether you're claiming PIP/DLA. You can check the rates here. https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/

If you'll be renting from social housing then your rent will be covered, unless you have spare bedrooms and then you'll be affected by the bedroom tax and help with any rent will be reduced.

Bultico

Thanks Again and again,
my question is the LHA be increased by 10.01%?

poppy123456

Bultico said:

Thanks Again and again,
my question is the LHA be increased by 10.01%?

No worries. No, it hasn't increased, that really is wishful thinking. A lot of people that are privately renting are likely to have a shortfall of rent, myself included. If there's a shortfall then you'll need to pay that yourself.

Bultico

Thanks , Thanks , Thanks for your quick replies