Uc with disabled child 2 carers help

stepheny12

Hi looking for some advice if anyone’s been in the same situation.
I’ve received my migration notice from universal credit for me and my partner however I’m worried about what happens next as right now I only claim carers allowance & child tax credits my child recieve high rate dla my partner is named on the tax credits notice. But we have never claimed income support or anything as I was told that my partner would have to apply for jobseekers because only one person could be the child’s carer although my child needs 2 people to help care for them.
Moving to universal credit what will happen if we have to claim as a couple? Do they acknowledge that a child may need 2 carers? Can my partner opt out of claiming anything atall so that he’s able to help care for our child? Even tho he will live with us? Sorry for all the questions just really stressed out and worried 😟 would really appreciate any help/advice x

poppy123456

The Tax credits will be in your joint names not as a single person if you’re living together.

When you claim UC you will both need to start a claim. One of you will then be sent a linking code to join both claims together and they will become a joint claim. You can’t claim as single people if living as a couple so no, your partner will not be able to opt out of claiming.

Usually you can only have one carer. It will be down to a work coach to decide what happens to the person that doesn’t claim carers allowance. Your partner will need to explain why 2 carers are needed.

When you claim UC you will need to make sure that the person claiming carers allowance reports being a carer and your UC will include the carers element. Your carers allowance will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

You will need to make sure you claim by the date in the letter otherwise you will lose any potential entitlement to Transitional Protection.

Albus_Scope

Heya @stepheny12 and welcome to the community. :)

I can see Poppy has already leapt to your aid, but I just wanted to pop in and say a quick hello. 😊

stepheny12

Thankyou for replying. My partner is also on the hospital waiting list for a sleep study as he has what we think is suspected narcolepsy he can just fall asleep anywhere anytime has injured himself threw this multiple times I don’t think he would be fit to work if made to job search. It’s Just such a stressful situation 😢 I’ve also heard people saying there is a better date to apply by is this true? Tia x

poppy123456

Your partner needs to make sure they report their health condition when they apply and provide a fit note within 7 days of that. They will then be referred for a work capability assessment, usually about 29 days after providing a fit note. Once they are referred they will receive a UC50 form in the post to fill in and return with all their information and any additional evidence they have.

Once a decision is made on that if they are found to have Limited capability for work related activity (LCWRA) they will receive extra money from the 4th month of their claim. They will also have no work commitments if found to have LCWRA. Full details here. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-quick-guide/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition

As for the best date to apply. When do you have to apply by and do you receive Tax credits weekly or 4 weekly?

stepheny12

Hi thanks for the reply it says have to apply by 17th august and we usually are paid tax credits weekly every Friday.

poppy123456

As you're paid weekly for Tax credits and neither of you work then it doesn't matter what date you apply, as long as you apply by that date. Although because you're not claiming any other benefits you maybe better off by claiming UC so could apply ASAP. If you're better off it doesn't make sense to delay the process any longer. Use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=aaec0391-8343-4e45-93a8-38587b5ca037

stepheny12

I’ve read a few posts saying the wait time is 5 weeks is that a set in stone timeframe? And am I right in saying you don’t get any payments atall in these weeks? Thank you again for all your help I really appreciate it.

poppy123456

Yes the wait for your first payment is 5 weeks or to be precise it's 1 month and 6 days. The day you submit your claim will be the start of your assessment period. This lasts for 30 days each month and 6 days after the end of that period is when you receive your payment. Unless payment date falls on either a weekend or bank holiday and then you'll receive it on the Friday before. For example, if you start your claim today then your assessment period will be 23rd to 22nd of every month and your payment date would be 29th of every month.

Once your claim is up and running and you've been for your first appointment you can request and advance payment. However, this does need to be repaid back and your future payments will be reduced until it's paid back in full. The amount you can request will be based on what your maximum entitlement is.

stepheny12

Hi sorry to be a nuisance but we have waited to apply now as had to save some money up so we could be ok during the 5 week wait.
I’m just really unsure how I apply for the Lcwra I think it’s called? Do I have a fit note to send in for my partner with the first application and do I then have to send in further fit notes during the assessment period the 5 week wait? Thanks in advance again for any help it’s really appreciated I’m just feeling really overwhelmed and stressed with the whole thing.

stepheny12

sorry I’m not even sure if I’m correct in saying about applying for the Lcwra? Just unsure what and how I apply to let them know my partners unable to work/ job search right now.

poppy123456

Question answered on your other thread here.

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/121024/lcwra-help-please