Received a migration letter and told today I have to start looking for work

tdiv70

Hi, I received a migration letter informing me of the change from income support benefit to UC. I am a full time carer for my mum who I also live with. I had an appointment today and was told that even though I am a full time carer I have to look for work and report to them weekly to prove that I have been looking if I want to receive my payments otherwise they will stop them. How am I meant to do that when I have to do everything for my mum. Can someone please advice me. Thank you

poppy123456

When you claimed UC did you report being a carer? Does your mum claim a qualifying disability benefit such as PIP/ADP daily living, DLA mid/high rate care or AA?

If so then your UC will include carers element. If you’re also claiming carers allowance this will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

As a carer claiming carers element/carers allowance you have no work commitments and will not be expected to look for work. Once your UC updates with that information your commitments will change.

tdiv70

My mum has been disabled and claiming disability for 20+ years right now I can't remember what her's are called I know she gets a mobility allowance. As she has gotten older, it has become harder for her so these have changed. I've been claiming carers allowance for 8 years. I put on the form that I was a full time carer. I even told the person to which he then called two other people over to ask and they said it doesn't matter. It is so hard to make any sense from it all

poppy123456

They are incorrect and it does matter! Carers have no work commitments so you can be forced and can’t be sanctioned. As this is a new claim once it updates with all your information the appointments will be cancelled and you will need to agree to your commitments, which will be to just agree to report all changes.

tdiv70

Thank you Poppy123456.

Carer90

I migrated from Income Support to UC the other week.

When you applied for UC did you tell them you're a carer on the onlineapplication?. At my Identity appointment the "work coach" told me as a carer I'm under no obligation to look for workas I told them on the application I care for my Dad.

You DO NOT have to look for work. Log in to your Universal Credit and report you are a carer. You will have no commitmenta to look for work. Don't worry it will get sorted

Carer90

Sorry for the spelling errors above. I was walking and typing