Universal Credit advice

tonkie18

hello

I have recently applied for universal credit as I have received my migration letter. I find anything benefit related to cause a lot of anxiety as we are not a ‘typical’ household. I was wondering if I could get some advice on my claim.

I receive PIP for various health conditions.

My daughter has an autoimmune condition and is in receipt of DLA. She has just turned 16 and I have to now claim PIP for her too (more stress). I am currently her carer.

My son has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and suspected autism/adhd and gets DLA.

My partner is self employed and has had to drop his hours to support us. He does not claim carers allowance for any of us as he earns over the threshold.

I have just found out about the work capability assessments. I was not aware I had to go through anything like this. I only claimed PIP last year and the process is still very fresh in my mind. The thought of going through more judgement is filling me with dread. I have plenty of support from Rheumatology/GPs/Mental health teams/Psychiatry and I’m currently being assessed for ADHD.

My mental health plummeted last year and I think I experienced ‘carer burnout’. There’s no space to look after my health conditions as the children’s are so demanding. My head isn’t working properly. I’m tired. I’m on chemotherapy injections that make my head foggy and I’ve had infections since December. I’m really struggling to work out this work capability stuff. Are they going to make me look for work? We are barely keeping our heads above water as it is. Our parents are elderly and we receive no help. Me and my partner are struggling as it is. Our son has prolonged seizures and needs 24 hourly monitoring.

I don’t know if I need to get sick notes? None of this was explained on the claim form. I was awarded enhanced rate pip for both last year before my mental health declined - surely they can’t expect me to work? Or even look for it? Even if I wasn’t ill, the constant care the children need is hard enough to juggle. Can anybody help me?

Kimi87

Which legacy benefits are you migrating from?

tonkie18

hi

we Receive housing benefit and tax credits only

thanks

Jimm_Alumni

Hi @tonkie18, first of all welcome to the community, I'm glad you joined us. It does sound like you are going through a lot just now. It can be difficult to keep track of it all I know, I have ADHD myself and know how it can affect keeping on top of it all.

You mention you feel like you are going carer burnout, have you considered getting some help via respite care? Please take a look through this article we have about it on our website: Respite care and short breaks for carers | Disability charity Scope UK

You have a legal right to have an assessment to get some help with care needs. The linked article above will direct you to how you can apply for this, what you can ask for, the process and more. I wonder if sitting down and reading through it with your partner so you are both on the same page about getting the help you need might be beneficial?

For Universal Credit, if your son or daughter receive middle or higher rate of the care component of DLA and you are caring for them for more than 35 hours a week, which it sounds like you are, then you should not be asked to look for work. I would make it clear to the coach if you are spending over 35 hours a week doing care tasks for your children.

Just incase it helps, we also have an article on transitioning from DLA to PIP here: Changing from DLA to PIP | Disability charity Scope UK

tonkie18

thankyou Jim this is a relief. I had seen an article saying being in a certain group gave more money than the carer element. We are about to lose £400 on the move to UC (I think). May possibly lose my daughters DLA and carers too while I sort her PIP out. So I thought it may be advantageous at some point. But it’s not something I would like to go through at the moment as life is very overwhelming.

I didn’t know anything about respite and that would have been very helpful in the last few months. It’s been very difficult indeed to manage all of this when I’m not feeling good myself.

ADHD is new to me, I’m not yet diagnosed, I’m currently waiting for my assessment. But from what the GP has told me and the information I have found online, the world has finally started to make sense after 37 years. I’ve scored highly on the initial assessments and I’m hoping if a diagnosis does come, perhaps medication will make a difference to my focusing ability as I’m really struggling in that area at present.
thanks for your support and any info/experience is very welcomed. I will look at the links you have given. Thanks again

Jimm_Alumni

Those articles are very speculative @tonkie18, we do not have any information right now about benefits reform.

I would still consider the respite care going forward! It should help you feel like you aren't just treading water.

Diagnosis and medication really helped me, though it isn't a cure all it certainly helped with certain symptoms of my ADHD. I hope you discover an answer soon and get help with it!