Working Questions

Ray212

So, I have been accepted and are working with indiviual placement support to help me find a job that is suitable for me.

However I have a question. So say I find a job and for arguments sake it is 40 hours a week. I know I need to inform UC that I am working and complete my hours each month or whatever it is but what happens to LCWRA. Do I do anything with that or does that continue until my next review?

And in that vein, say I am working 40 hours a week what happens with prescription costs etc, do I then start paying them as I would be working(means I have to pay) and getting lcwra(which makes me exempt)

If I do ever get a job just want to make sure I am doing the right things with the rules etc

Adrian_Scope

Hello @Ray212

Great news about the individual placement.

If you were to start work, your LCWRA would continue until you are next reviewed (and if you still met the criteria, could continue even then. Some people do work and claim LCWRA).

In your situation while you have LCWRA, you need to be earning £935 a month or less to continue receiving help with prescription costs. If you earn more than this a month you would start paying for prescriptions.

Ray212

Thank you and many thanks, wasn't too sure about the prescription costs etc as I have an awful lot of prescriptions.

So those prepay prescription things, so you buy 3 months at £40 or whatever is and that gives you an unlimited amount of prescriptions?

Adrian_Scope

Hi @Ray212.

A prescription prepayment certificate covers all of your NHS prescriptions, including NHS dental prescriptions, no matter how many items you need.

My other half pays for hers by monthly direct debit at around £10 a month, which works out a lot cheaper than the £9.90 charged for each item individually.

Ray212

Many thanks

Ray212

So have an interview coming up and I forgot to ask. So for UC I just declare the earnings right?

But what about pip(daily living). Do I inform them of anything or just wait until the renewal?

Albus_Scope

Hey @Ray212 you don't need to inform PIP regarding any work, as it's not a work based benefit.

Best of luck with the interview. Will you let us know how you get on?

Ray212

Many thanks, appreciate the advice. And yes of course, its a zero hours contract but that works ok for me as can do it around appointments etc which seem to every week or other week at the moment

Ray212

So there is a chance I may actually get this job. Its a zero hours contract and can literally be zero hours one week and 30 the next.

I get UC LCWRA, what exactly is the next step if I get the job, do I have to inform UC at any point or do I only let them know when I get paid and if so how do I do that?

poppy123456

You only need to report the changes once you start working. To do that you need to log into your journal and report a change of circumstances and then look down to list to find "work and earnings" then report it this way.

You will not need to report your earnings unless you're self employed. When working for an employer as PAYE your employer reports your earnings to HMRC and DWP/UC will check with those.

You also have the work allowance, which means some of the earnings you receive each month are ignored before deductions apply. If you claim for help with the rent your work allowance will be £404/month, if you don't then it will be £673/month. For every £1 of earnings received over those amounts your UC will reduce by 55p.

Ray212

Thanks Poppy.

Just so I am clear, I will still receive LCWRA even when I have reported a change of circumstances? Well untill my next review at least?

Have I got that right?

Adrian_Scope

Hello @Ray212, yes that's correct. Your LCWRA will continue. Good luck with your new job! 🙂

Ray212

Thank you. I have been offered the job. Its zero hours which actually works well for me as not sure I could handle full time. Will see how I get on :)

Ray212

Hi,

So I had my first day today. Wasn't as horrendous as I thought it was going to be. I sent off an email after I had finished with some questions as didn't like saying things while I was there. Its a zero hours job but that does give me a couple of questions :

1. As I mentioned above, free prescriptions, I could literally be doing 5 hours one month and 40 hours a week the next month, how does that work with free prescriptions? I want to stay on the right side of everything.
2. So I inform UC today, doing what Poppy said above, that is correct isn't it? And I wont lose LCWRA when I tell them I have a job. I know LCWRA is Limited capability and no capability but want to make sure I am doing it right.

Thank you

Albus_Scope

I'm glad to hear the first day went well @Ray212 and congratulations on getting the job!

I'm unsure how free prescriptions work with zero hours contracts I'm afraid. But yes, you'll need to contact the DWP to let them know about the work. Your LCWRA will continue unless they have reason to believe the reasons for your LCWRA go against the work you're doing.

Ray212

Many thanks, do you mean could stop now or at the next review?

I will contact them about prescriptions though and see what they say. Thanks

Albus_Scope

They could stop it at any time if for instance you were getting LCWRA for being blind, but your new job was driving a taxi. I hope that makes sense?

Ray212

Ah right yes I see. No pun intended :)

Ray212

Ok I am trying to fill out the change of circumstances but I am getting confused

One question is asking my current situation, I assumed that is 'employed'

But the next question asks how much will I earn. I literally don't know that as like I said coule be just a few hours per month or over a hundred hours per month.

What do I put there?

Ray212

Nevermind found the zero hours option

Ray212

Just want to confirm something. They haven't asked who the employer is, is that correct?

All it says is :

The change occurred on 9 September 2024.
xxx currently does not receive additional payment.
xxx currently does not receive maternity allowance.
xxx is currently employed.
xxx currently works 0 hours per week.
xxx usually earns £11.44 per hour.
xxx has not served in the armed forces.