Initial job centre interview for UC

9babiesnutjob

Hi all,
Im migrating over to UC. I have 9 children, 5 have disabilities, 4 get middle rate DLA and I receive Carers Allowance. Will I automatically be put in the “no work related requirements” group? Will I have to attend the job centre? If so can someone tell me what to expect please.? I’m Autistic myself and the not knowing what’s going to happen or be said is adding to my already heightened anxiety due to the migration.

Also, does my husband have to have an interview f2f? He’s a police officer and works shifts. I imagine it’ll be quite easy to prove his ID.

Sorry for waffling. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

poppy123456

Usually you are expected to attend your local job centre for your first appointment. When you claim UC make sure to report being a carer for one of your children and give their details, your UC will then include the carers element. After that first appointment you will have no work commitments and will not be expected to attend any further appointments. 

The same applies to your husband and he will be expected to attend. 

Your husband can also claim carers element for looking after one of your children. There's no earnings limit to carers element like there is with carers allowance so working makes no difference. It will just increase your maximum UC entitlement even further. 

You can also report your health condition, if you want to and provide fit notes. This will start the work capability assessment process off. If found to have LCWRA you will be entitled to extra money from the 4th month of your claim. However, if found to have LCWRA then you won't be able to claim this and the carers element at the same time because the same person can't receive both elements. In this case you will be entitled to the higher element, which is LCWRA.