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Moved from WTC to UC but unsure what to do next

DayDreamerBeliever

just before Christmas I moved from WTC to UC. I’m 60, work 16 hours a week, no mortgage and no dependents. I get DLA lower care element. When I moved over I listed my disabilities and illnesses and spoke online to a manager at UC about my disabilities. He said I was ok to carry on doing 16 hours and said I had no other commitments.

Since the new year I’ve had a lot of new health issues and had a lot of time off but my employer has kindly paid me my full pay. However the last few weeks has been particularly bad and I’ve been diagnosed with another condition which I need to report to UC tomorrow. My employer has said they can’t keep paying me for time off sick and maybe I should either think about reducing my hours or giving up work. I actually feel work is good for me mentally but at the minute I don’t feel I can physically do my 16 hours.

What are my options? Will UC still pay me if my hours go down? Will they start hounding me to find a different job? I’ve been with this employer for 15 years. If I change my claim in any way will I lose my TP? Can I get a sick /fit note and still do some hours if I’m able? I’m worried how I will cope financially if not paid. I’m already worse off since moving across from WTC as I no longer get council tax support or free dentist etc.

any help / advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you

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Comments

Albus_Alumni

Hey there @DayDreamerBeliever and welcome to the community.

I'm sorry to hear your conditions are causing you to miss work, have you spoken to work about reasonable adjustments? They could help you stay in work, but not cause you to over do it too much, it's definitely worth talking to your boss about. I'm afraid I'm not great with the maze of UC rules, but hopefully one of our super smart regulars will be a long to give you some answers soon. 😊

DayDreamerBeliever

thanks for the reply. Yes my work have been incredibly good with making adjustments, allowing me to go home when I’m in too much pain etc. I’m not sure how much more than can be expected to do with regard to my pain levels and fatigue. I think this is why they have suggested I might be better lowering my hours to see if I can cope better. Just trying to work out what options I have really. Thank you

poppy123456

It's not so much the hours that count, it's the earnings. The AET for a single person is £892/month so if your earnings go below that you maybe asked to look for more work.

As you have a health condition have you thought about reporting that to UC and providing a fit note? By doing this it will start the work capability assessment process off. If found to have LCWRA then you'll be entitled to extra money from the 4th month of your claim. However, if your UC includes TP then this will decrease if other elements increase or you become entitled to other elements. For this reason you may not be any better off. Although you will have the work allowance, which means you'll be able to receive £673/month (because you're not claiming for help with the rent) because the 55% deductions apply.

See link for more information. 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

Even if your earnings are more than 16 x NMW/week you will still be able to be referred for the work capability assessment because you're claiming DLA.

To report a health condition, log into your journal and report a change of circumstances and then click health condition. Report it through there. Please make sure that you provide a fit note within 7 days of that and continue to provide them without gaps until a decision is made on your claim.

DayDreamerBeliever

Thank you Poppy for taking the time to reply.
Currently I earn £793 a month for my 16 hours. I’ve always worked these hours.

My committements on UC say I don’t need to do anything in the way of looking for work. I listed all my illness -( osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, raynauds, sicca symptoms, atypical facial pain, afib, migraines) and now have to add sleep apnea to the conditions. I’m also waiting on a diagnosis with my bladder. Can I get a fit note and still try to work? Or do I need to not be working at all for a fit note? If so do I need to tell UC in advance that my hours may go up and down? For my mental health I would like to keep working as long as I can as I’m single, live alone and being home all the time is not good - it’s just trying to find the right balance physically especially when I’m having a bad flare.

Thanks for your help .

poppy123456

As you're claiming DLA then you can provide a fit note regardless of earnings.

DayDreamerBeliever

hi Poppy. My DLA is the lower care amount - I’ve had this for the last 30 years. I’m too scared to ask for a review as presume it will be done under PIP.

Do I just ask my doctor for a fit note even though I want to try and work? I can’t get an appointment at my GP until the end of June! So sorry for all the questions - I’m finding the change over quite stressful on top of not feeling well. Really appreciate your advice & help .

poppy123456

Yes but it's still a disability benefit so earnings are irrelevant and you can be referred for a WCA even with earnings of more than 16xNMW/week.

Reporting changes for DLA will mean a claim for PIP.

A fit note can request shorter hours due to your health conditions, it doesn't have to state you're not fit for work.

DayDreamerBeliever

thanks Poppy. I sorted out a fit note with limited hours until I see my GP himself at the end of the month. Job centre have said just work what hours I can cope with for now & have turned off commitments. Do I still wait 28 weeks until a WCA form can be sent if I’m on DLA?

Thanks for your help

poppy123456

It's not 28 weeks. A referral is usually from day 29 after providing a fit note. Although sometimes it can be later.