LCRWA - Will I still receive my LCWRA and UC if I move in with my partner who works full time?

MA100

Hi guys so needed some advice, I recieve LCRWA due to long term health issues and also get UC, now if I was going to move in with a partner/husband in the future who works full time and on no benefits (maybe if my health improves later on down the line then can find the one) and say we move in to a rented flat - will I still recieve my LCRWA and UC?

I heard some things about UC stopping because if one person works full time etc. But will LCRWA stop too?

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

poppy123456

LCWRA is part of UC, it's not a benefit on its own. You would need to report a change of circumstances and tell them you're living with a partner and you will be sent linking code. Your partner would need to make a claim and use the linking code.

Many people claim UC and work, it doesn't mean they are not entitled to UC. You will have the work allowance, which means you can receive a certain amount of earnings each month before deductions will apply. If you're still claiming for help with the rent your WA will be £404/month. For every £1 over that amount your UC will reduce by 55p. Whether there is any entitlement would depend on your joint circumstances at that time. Any deductions would reduce your whole UC and not just part of it.

I see you asked the same question last year. For this reason the best thing to do if you do live with a partner in the future is to post and ask the question and someone will advise you based on your joint circumstances at that time.

MA100

Thanks for your answer Poppy, so even if partner works full time they will still need to join UC with the linking code? And they can carry on working full time right? And I was asking as if if I wasn't claiming any help for rent anymore and I do private renting theyll still stop my LCRWA?

Also sorry I forget alot, it is part of my health conditon - brain fog and memory issues. Can't rememeber what I did last week let alone last year so I apologise if some of these questions are repeated plus I live alone after the womens refuge so kinda struggling to get answers hence why I come on here.

poppy123456

When living with a partner, you can't claim UC as a single person, it must be a joint claim. Whether there would be any entitlement if you do live with them will depend on your joint circumstances.

For UC you can't just claim part of it, that's not how it works. You'll still be entitled to housing element, LCWRA element and standard allowance but couples rate, not single person rate. Any earnings they receive that's above the work allowance would then reduce your UC by 55%.

For example, if their earnings are £1,500 per month then this would reduce your whole UC by £602.80/month. Of course this is based on the figures for 2024/25. If benefits increase from April those figures would be different. It really does depend on joint circumstances at the time.

Like I advised, if you ever do decide to live with a partner in the future, it's better to ask for advice at the time.

MA100

Ok thanks for the poppy, so when the time comes, can I look for DSS houses or has to be private then do UC linking etc?

poppy123456

You may already have a home to live in so may not need to move house. I would cross that bridge and ask questions if you are thinking of moving in with a partner in the near future because things may change by then.

MA100

Yes at the moment I do, I meant if I move in with a partner later on as the house im in now is only for one person and ok got you I will ask if it comes to it, thank you.

MA100

Hi, as you told me to ask again later on, so I've moved in with a partner currently and I'm still in bad health, so this goes to my question - I've tried to do a benefits calculator but it says I'm not entitled to anything because 'I have too much savings and capital' but I put 0. Partner works full time and earns around 2400 monthly and also owns a home but he or family etc do not live in that home, its just mortgaged and renting it out to tenants. But I thought with all these considerations, I'll still recieve LCRWA because of my long time illness and I need the means to live comfortably and help with my health issues as more health problems have arised this year and its been so difficult for me to work. I feel like I need forcefully work now when I'm in pain everyday just to get by. What do I do Poppy?

MA100

@poppy123456

Kimi87

Poppy is not currently active on the forum.

All of UC is means tested including LCWRA element.

As you live together as a couple, eligibility is based on joint circumstances.

It's likely your partners wage and second property (which counts for your claims capital calculation) results in a zero entitlement to UC.

Earnings over a certain amount (variable depending on circumstances) and/or capital over £16k means no entitlement to UC.

Because you are in a couple the expectation is financial support is provided within that couple, rather than means tested benefits from the welfare state.

Have you looked at claiming PIP? That is not means tested. Strongly recommended you apply with the assistance of a local welfare rights organisation. https://www.gov.uk/pip

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