Hi, my name is Ash! Work commitment mistake?

Ash75

"I'm disabled and receive Universal Credit (UC), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and Carer's Allowance, which my wife receives for looking after me. My wife is my full-time carer, looking after our young family. She used to receive PIP as well but is now on limited capacity for work. She is blind in her right eye and has struggled with bipolar disorder for many years.

Despite her health challenges, she continues to attend appointments at the job center. Recently, the job center representative has asked her to sign a commitment for work. She's feeling overwhelmed and stressed about how she can manage looking after me full-time, caring for our young family, and also searching for a job.

Could someone please explain why the job center is requesting this commitment and what the potential consequences would be if we don't comply? We're concerned that we may lose our UC benefits."

Emilee

If your wife is receiving Carer's Allowance she should be receiving the carer element of UC. Have I understood correctly she receives LCW?

Do you receive LCWRA on Universal Credit also?

It sounds as though her commitments are incorrect for her situation but also that your UC claim is incorrect. If these are not fixed, if she does not comply with her commitments they may apply a sanction to your UC claim.

Ash75

We have a joint Universal Credit (UC) claim. My wife has Limited Capability for Work (LCW) and I'm on Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA).

We currently receive the following benefits from UC:

* Standard Allowance

* Housing Allowance

* Children's Allowance

* LCWRA Allowance

Additionally, we receive Carer's Allowance (for my partner) and Employment Support Allowance (ESA) for me.

Are we eligible for the Carer's Element within our UC claim?

How would this affect our overall UC benefits?

Does my partner need to participate in a work-focused interview?

Thank you for your assistance.

poppy123456

Your UC should also include carers element, which is £198.31/month. The carers allowance is deducted in full from your UC so there's no financial gain to claiming it.

Your partner needs to log into their journal and report a change of circumstances. The from the list click "caring for someone" and report caring for you this way. They will then add the carers element once a decision maker makes a decision.

As a carer she is not expected to work, look for work or attend appointments.

Ash75

Will my current receipt of ESA, PIP (at the standard rate for daily living), or LCWRA be affected if my partner's applies for the carer element? Thanks

poppy123456

Neither of those will be affected. Carers element is just another element to UC, which your maximum entitlement will increase by £198.31/month.