Joint claim with UC, think we will be on less money, anything I can do?

aiden

me and my partner have just made a joint claim with uc as we have just got the keys to our house. My partner is on lowrc. I think we will b on less money than we r now. Is this true and im waiting for my lowrc to go through aswel. I understand we can only claim one of these as a couple but can I claim anything else as we would b losing the 400 plus is there anything I can do? Also dose she need sick notes again to start the lowrc process again? Thanks.

Morgan_Scope

Hello @aiden. Were you previously claiming ESA? If your partner already has LCWRA she should not need to provide fit notes or start the process again.

Do either of you claim PIP or any other benefits?

aiden

yes I’m on pip high rate living low rate mobility. I’m waiting for lowrc being issued soon. And that’s good she doesn’t need to go back through this thank you for this advice it’s helped a lot

aiden

I was previously on lowrc myself but I went away and had to start the process again

poppy123456

Does your partner receive a disability benefit their self such as PIP daily living or DLA mid/high rate care? If they do then you can claim carers element of UC for looking after them.

aiden

I get pip high rate living and low rate mobility so dose that mean she would claim the carers allowance for me?

poppy123456

If it's your partner that receives the LCWRA element they will not be able to claim carers element of UC for looking after you. This is because the same person can't receive both elements at the same time.

This is why I asked if your partner claims a qualifying disability benefit, this way one can receive the LCWRA element and other claims carers element.

Carers allowance is a separate benefit and is deducted in full from any UC entitlement so no financial gain to claiming it.

aiden

can I claim the carers element for her as I’m on pip and standard uc at the moment

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/948055#Comment_948055

You will only be able to do that if she claims a qualifying disability benefit her self. See my comment here.

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/947992#Comment_947992

aiden

hi sorry to ask again but I had my assessment today for work capability. I am going to receive lowrc again. But I’m now on a joint claim and my partner gets lowrc already. I know we can only claim one of these as a couple. But because I get carers element will this affect us in any way financially like housing benefit or anything

poppy123456

You need to wait for the decision first but regardless of what that is, your UC will remain the same.

Help with your rent will also be through UC known as housing element, unless you’re either living in supported or temporary housing.

aiden

will I still b eligible for the back dated money as I was waiting over 3 month to go back into lowrc. And thank you for the advice

Kimmy87

If your partner gets LCWRA already, then you will not receive any backpay or extra money each month regardless of what the decision is.

Within a couple's claim only one LCWRA element is payable.

Your claim will remain:

1x LCWRA (your partner)

1x Carers Element (you).

This is the maximum entitlement for a couple.

poppy123456

That will depend the answer to the following questions.

1/ what date exactly you provided your first fit note.

2/ What date you used to receive your UC each month as a single person.

3/ what date you claimed UC with your partner?

aiden

I was claiming uc from 25 of September 24. And our joint claim started on 28th of November as we moved into a house togeather. I was thinking because I was single and claiming the lowrc for myself I would b at least entitled to back pay from them dates

Kimmy87

LCWRA has a waiting period of three full assessment periods, no money is paid or subsequently owed for that period.

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/963611#Comment_963611

Unfortunately based on that information there will be no money that's owed. As kimmy advised above, the extra money isn't paid at all during the waiting period.

aiden

ok thank you verry much for the info