Going back to work

beckyk86

Hi everyone,

I've been on standard rate PIP.(daily loving) and LCWRA for a number of years now, due to depression and anxiety (at one point even the sound of the post going through the letterbox made me have a panic attack).

For the last 4 years, I've worked extremely hard to get my mental health back to how it used to be.

I've been doing voluntary work for 2 days a week since June, and am gaining confidence. They have now offered me a job, working 17.5 hours a week. The contract is until March 2025 and I think this is a great opportunity to see how id manage in a paid role and I would love to do this (the thought of working full time scares the life out of me right now, but eventually thats where id love to be at)

Will my PIP and LCWRA be affected do you think? And if me working triggers a re-assessment, will my money automatically stop while they complete it?

TThanks very much for any info!

beckyk86

• Daily living- not loving! 😂😂

I should also mention that the wage id get will take me over the AET amount

poppy123456

Don't you just love that auto correct? 😂 Firstly, the AET doesn't affect you anyway because you've been found to have LCWRA so you have no commitments.

Yes, you can work while claiming both LCWRA and PIP. If you start working you must report the changes on your UC journal by clicking report a change and then click "work and earnings"

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

You do need to be careful that the work you do doesn't contradict the reasons why you're claiming both benefits.

If UC knew you were volunteering ( you should have told them) then I can't see there being any issues with paid work but I don't know anything about your health conditions and how they affect you.

You do not need to report the changes to PIP because it's not a change that needs to be reported.

If you're claiming council tax reduction you need to report the changes to your Local Authority. Good luck with the job and I hope it works out well for you!

beckyk86

I think they will re-assess me as I'm sure they will say it contradicts why I'm getting it. I'm not sure why they haven't re-assessed already (I've even just had my review)..... so if they do, will my money stop straight away while they carry out the re- assessments?... thank for your help!

Jimm_Alumni

Hi @beckyk86, as Poppy says the work is something you'll need to report to Universal Credit, but not for PIP.

There is a chance they could re-assess, if they choose to re-assess money is paid until the review is completed. If you'd like to read more about working while claiming benefits we do have an advice section: Work and claiming benefits | Disability charity Scope UK