On UC + LCWRA, would I be able to go back to it after only 3 months of work with nil entitlement?

ClareB_97

Hi,

I'm currently on UC + LCWRA. I've been assessed twice, and it was a little bit of a traumatic process, but the people were very nice and I couldn't have asked for better assessors/work coaches.

I may have the opportunity to work over the summer for 3 months, in a way that is accomodating for my condition. This would help me finally save some money for a deposit and pay off my overdraft. The work would just be until the end of August, and I definitely wouldn't earn more than £16k (or have that in savings, as I'm currently in an overdraft with no savings).

However, I am terrified of taking this much needed work experience on, in case after the work period ends, I might no longer get my payment of UC + LCWRA. I won't accept the temp work if it affects it in a way where it doesn't revert back to the original payment after the 3 months of nil entitlement.

At the end of August when I'm out of work again, I won't be able to afford to live if it doesn't go back to the original payment I was entitled to. Nothing has changed affecting my condition, I just have found temporary work that is willing to give me the experience while acommodating my condition.

I've read it only closes after 6 months of nil entitlement or having over 16k in savings, is this true? Do I have to go through a reassessment again if it's only 3 months of nil entitlement? Will the payment come back the same month I'm not in work (or at least the amount I'm entitled to)? What is the process?

I feel this work experience will be really beneficial for me after so long of not doing anything, but I am so scared to take it on in case it will end up being a big hassle to get the payment back after 3 months. If anyone can help me, I would be so thankful!!!

poppy123456

Your UC wouldn’t end just because you’re starting work. Many people claim UC and work at the same time. Whether there’s any entitlement will depend on how much earnings you will receive each month.

You have the work allowance too, which means a certain amount of earnings you receive each month will be ignored before the 55% deductions apply.

If you claim for help with the rent it will be £404/month, if you don’t it will be £673/month. For every £1 of earnings over those amounts your UC will reduce by 55p. You can use a benefits calculator to check entitlement.

If you start work you must report the changes and tell them you are working. Do be aware that if the work you do contradicts the reasons why you were found to have LCWRA then it could go against you when you’re next reviewed.

If earnings do reduce your UC to zero for 6 months then your claim will close and you will have to go through the WCA against when you reclaim. Within those 6 months you do not have to go through the WCA again.

ClareB_97

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/866279#Comment_866279

Hi, thank you sooo much for this helpful info!

I see, I would be earning an amount that would mean I would have nil entitlement during those 3 months (if I were to take the temp job). I would of course make sure to report it if I accept it, but at the moment I'm not sure if I'll be able to to accept it… if it causes a massive headache to restart once the temp work ends after 3 months (if I even last that long).

Do you by chance know what the process is usually like to reclaiming it within those 6 months? I'd only be 3 months. Would I be able to start gaining the UC + LWCRA payment within the same month of reclaiming, if I'm still seen as eligible? And how do they decide if the LWCRA reason contradicts the work, do I have go for a review or do I just explain the work? I believe that it wouldn't, I've been diagnosed by the NHS with ADHD + a neurological disorder, thus not able to deal with stress or timekeeping long enough to hold down a regular job which is why I was awarded the LWCRA.

I'm worried though that any work could make it take it away, and I'll be stuck wasting away forever basically cause I'm too scared to try get work experience through someone I know who is willing to put up with me & pay me enough for those few months. I really am not sure what to do, as if I am taken off it, I will become destitute and I'm not sure I can deal with all of that while waiting for another new claim. If I don't take the opportunity, it could be very bad for my mental health too, I'm not sure what to do.

poppy123456

Your claim stays open for 6 months through a nil award due to earnings. You just need to make sure you do not close your claim.

When you stop working there will be no earnings deductions so your UC payments will return to normal. You won’t need another review. At the moment reviews are suspended for the majority of people that have LCWRA anyway.

I’m afraid can’t tell you if working will contradict your claim because I don’t know anything about your health conditions or which descriptor applied to you when you were found to have LCWRA.