Working and claiming Lcwra Just not Working

Topcat71
Topcat71 Online Community Member Posts: 60 Contributor
in Everyday life

I reduced my hours to 15 hours a week 2 months ago after being awarded Lcrwa the higher rate . I currently receive pip and UC and I really need the extra my work wages bring in but the pain is getting to much .I take Morphine but the pain getting me down. I feel useless my back pain is so bad after a few hours at work. It feels like someone standing on my back lower back pressure..I been told I have spinal disease and have daily back spasms. I don't know what to do I have 7 years left to pay my mortgage and being in a small flat I cannot downsize and at least owning gives me a little security than renting which I did for years ago. So I don't know what to do . I give up work I risk losing my home. I scared to ask for more morphine in case like last time they stop it altogether. So I try stay with what I have. I don't know if there anything to have to be pain free. This idea that people on sick benefits go and get a job they have no idea how bloody tough this is . Sorry to go on I just need to talk. Thanks

Comments

  • Anthony1234
    Anthony1234 Online Community Member Posts: 15 Listener

    Topcoat. Lcrwa. Is no commitments and don't have to look for work. Just reduce yr hrs again work. Pip is non means tested so shouldn't affect yr mortgage. Depending on yr monthly income you have to see whether you can afford to quit work cause not sure if uc help with mortgage. I know they help with rent if working under 18hrs it was 16 hrs b4. I'm on lcw but should be in lcrwa..Just waiting for a decision. I have lots of conditions and on enhanced pip and they r trying to make me work too. I've been very depressed abt it. But lcwra is no work no commitments.

  • Jellihead
    Jellihead Online Community Member Posts: 59 Empowering

    @Topcat71

    Have you X rays on your back pain? Sounds like you might have osteoarthritis. I had horrific back pain until an x ray showed that it was actually deterioration of my hips. I ended up having a bi lateral hip operation and all back pain gone. My doctor didn't seem keen for me to have an x ray sending me to physio etc. and I can't take pain killers, apart from paracetamol, I am allergic to most others.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,467 Championing

    @Anthony1234 your advice about the rent isn’t correct. It’s not about the amount of hours you work when claiming UC. It’s about earnings you receive each month.

    UC is one benefit made up of many different elements. When someone either has children on their claim or has either LCW/LCWRA they have a work allowance so some of the earnings they receive are ignored before deductions apply.

    If someone claims for help with the rent the work allowance is £404/month, if they don’t it’s £673/month. For every £1 of earnings received over those amounts your UC reduces by 55p.

    Help with mortgage comes under Support For mortgage Interest (SMI) but this is just a loan and needs to be repaid back if you sell your home in the future.

    @Topcat71 i can definitely relate about your pain issues. I have multiple different conditions and all of them cause considerable amounts of pain. I think being pain free is wishful thinking, for me anyway. I can’t ever remember a time when this had happened since my health conditions started more than 10 years ago. I’ve yet to find any medication that would keep me pain free.

    Do you currently work from home? If not have you considered finding a job where you can do that?

  • Topcat71
    Topcat71 Online Community Member Posts: 60 Contributor

    I have look for home jobs and ask job centre but they said home working is hard to find that is suitable and reliable income. I have osteoarthritis both knees and have steroid injections every few months. I think that I struggling to accept that with pain this is it and the doctor said the pain will not go.i know I sound pathetic so many people have far worse problems than me.

  • Elizabeth100
    Elizabeth100 Online Community Member Posts: 49 Contributor

    Hello Topcat, I've little advice for you except to say that this sounds like an awful situation, and you do not sound or come across as pathetic at all. You are coping and doing your best to steer through this painful and stressful situation. There are always people worse off, but you really need to focus on yourself, taking advice from those who know how things work. I really hope you find a solution to all this, so that you can live with less pain and stress. Take care, E xx

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