Would I be better off with carers allowance?

Kerry2024

😆😂

I definitely will do as it's all so confusing!

Thanks so much again. Had a lovely weekend 😀

Kerry2024

Hi poppy

We spoke a little while back regarding my daughter and you were very helpful (thankyou)

Just wondering if I could pick your brains again but regarding me this time?

Long story short I have Crohn's disease, I have been in remission for 7 years but unfortunately having another flare up and came off work sick Fri (13th) so I'll be receiving SSP.

I'm already claiming universal credits with the child element plus carers element and disability allowance for my daughter.

But with my earnings going temporarily down due to taking time off sick will my universal credits go up to make up some of the money I'll loose whilst off sick ?

Hoping I won't be off work too long but could be a few weeks or so.

Thanks again

Kerry 2024 🙂

Albus_Scope

Hey there @Kerry2024 Poppy is currently on a well deserved holiday, so apologies if she isn't here to answer your questions. I'm really sorry to hear about your flare up.

I'm still learning all about UC, but I believe if your UC has previously gone down due to earnings, then a lack of earnings should reflect in your payments. I'm not 100% on this though, but I'm sure one of our super smart regulars will have the correct information for you soon. 😊

Kerry2024

Hi albus_scope

Thanks very much for your reply and kind words and help.

Enjoy your holiday poppy.

Thanks again

Best wishes 🍀 Kerry2024

Kerry2024

Hi again all.

Hope everyone is well.

Just needed some advice again please regarding me being off work due to a Crohn's flare up.

I've read online I could be eligible for a disability element of universal credit, is this correct and would it go against me that I receive disability through universal credit for my daughter who is autistic?

Really new to this and all very confusing.

Hoping this flare won't last too long. I'd been in remission 7 years so very disheartening.

But unfortunately as it is a chronic illness there's always that chance it will become active at anytime and I'll require large amounts of time off work so keen to get a back up financially if possible?

Thanks once again

Best wishes

Kerry 2024 🙂

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

It will depend on how long you're expecting to be restricted by health conditions as to whether it's worth making that change of circumstances with UC.

You'll need to get a fit note from your GP, and fill in a work capability form (UC50). It is likely that you'll be asked to attend a face to face appointment to complete the assessment. A decision maker will then decide if you qualify for either LCW or LCWRA based on your health limitations.

It's not a quick process, but that is the backup that you have if your health conditions create longer term work limitations.

The disabled child element is not affected by LCW or LCWRA.

Kerry2024

I'm hoping I won't be off work too long but realistically probably going to be a month or so.

Thankyou for your help 🙂

Jimm_Scope

Flaring up after being in remission for so long really is disheartening. I've been there. You forget what the struggles were like, there's the worrying about flaring becoming common again, you feel more strongly than ever that you're being hindered by something.

But, you did get to that 7 years of remission, and you're still capable of doing the same again 🙂

You should be able to claim for being unable to work, even while receiving some funding through the disabled child element.

Kerry2024

Jimm scope

Thankyou very much.

Sorry to hear of your struggles too.

Yes hopefully I'll get back into remission soon.

You do almost forget how difficult the flares are when in remission.

Hopefully it won't last too long and can feel well again and return to work.

Am I still able to claim disability through universal credit for myself even when I do return to work do you know?

I work part time (20 hours per week) but currently off sick and will be receiving SSP.

Unsure if I'd earn too much (when I am back at work) to qualify for disability?

Thanks again 🙂

Jimm_Scope

It will depend on how much you are earning at your role when it comes to Universal Credit.

However, PIP is not means-tested, have you considered it at all?

Kerry2024

I've thought about pip however as it's a unpredictable illness with long periods of remission I'm unsure how successful it would be to be honest.

🙂

Kerry2024

I get paid £12 a hour at my job and do £20 hours per week, works out about £1000 per month.

So unsure if this would be too much to claim disability element of universal credits.

Problem is as I say Crohn's is unpredictable and could need time off suddenly then be left living off SSP and basic universal credit although do now have the disability element for my daughter so that's a help but as she's in her last year of education this will soon stop

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/910065#Comment_910065

If you are put in the LCWRA group, you'll get a work allowance.

That's £379 a month if you receive housing element. (Or £631 for claimants without housing element). For earnings above that amount, you'd lose 55p per £1.

So if you did earn exactly £1000 one month, and assuming you get housing element. The UC would still be paid on top, but would be reduced by £341 that month.

Kerry2024

Thankyou very much. Do you think it's worth going for?

Do you think would benefit me financially?(**** at maths lol and my head's whistling with figures and what to do for the best)

Fully intend on going back to work once fit enough again. Just looking at ways for a back up for when these situations arise in future so everything is in place and don't have to stress so much about money when unwell.

Thanks again 😊

Biblioklept

@Kerry2024 unfortunately you're earning too much to be referred for a work capability assessment unless you also receive PIP ❤️

Kerry2024

Thought that would be the case.

But do you thinky universal credits will go up whilst I'm receiving the SSP though?

Thankyou for your help 🙂

Biblioklept

If your earnings are lower your UC will be higher because you'll have less deducted for wages, it won't equate to the same as your wages and normal UC though xx

Kerry2024

Thankyou again 🙂

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/910398#Comment_910398

Apologies for misleading advice. Where is the threshold for a WCA without PIP? I thought it was quite a bit higher than £1000 a month so would be good to know for future reference.

Biblioklept

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/910629#Comment_910629

It's a silly rule I think!! It's 16 hours a week at national minimum wage, I haven't worked out exactly what that equates too but it's less than £1000 a month I think xx

"G1033 The relevant threshold is the amount the claimant would be paid at the highest NMW hourly rate for 16 hours a week"