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Kerry2024
Kerry2024 Online Community Member Posts: 82 Listener
in Universal Credit (UC)

Hi all

Just looking for some advice please?

I have been signed off work since September 2024 due to a Crohn's flare up.

I've recently been awarded lcwra.

My current sick note ends march 17th. (My SSP ends at end of march. )

Still not fully recovered so unlikely I'll be back on that date.

I receive the child element of universal credits as well as the disabled child element.

My daughter is due to leave college this summer. So all child payments will then stop.

I'm just abit confused about how things will be for me financially.

I worked 20 hours at job. Roughly earning about £1000 per month.

If I'm not well enough to return to work will I be much worse off financially now I'm receiving lcwra or would I be better off if I'm able to work?

Thankyou

Comments

  • Morgan_Scope
    Morgan_Scope Posts: 782 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hello @Kerry2024

    Your overall income should always be higher if you are in work, but that doesn't always mean people are better off.

    If you put your details into the Policy in Practice Better Off calculator, it should help you work out what you should receive in both situations. It would be worth you also doing a calculation showing what you would receive once your daughter is no longer on your claim.

  • Kerry2024
    Kerry2024 Online Community Member Posts: 82 Listener

    Thankyou for your help.

    I'm getting really confused with the online calculator.. if I called scope helpline would they possibly do the calculations for me?

    Thanks again 😊

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,692 Championing

    The Scope helpline should be able to help. They are open Saturdays but I would expect them to be busy.

    Benefits will increase slightly in April compared to current rates. If I've understood your situation correctly, you would get basic rate UC plus LCWRA but nothing else after your daughter leaves education? If so, this is the calculation.

    Basic rate, single, over 25 - £400.14
    LCWRA rate - £423.27

    Total = £823.41

  • Kerry2024
    Kerry2024 Online Community Member Posts: 82 Listener

    Hi thanks for your response.

    So £823 per month? But my rent is £607 monthly then would only be left with about £200 a month to pay the rest of the bills plus food?

  • Kerry2024
    Kerry2024 Online Community Member Posts: 82 Listener

    My SSP ends next month.

    Yes My daughter leaves education in the summer so if I'm still off sick from work I'd just get UC and lcwra.

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,692 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/987440#Comment_987440

    Rent is covered by the Housing Element. Assuming private rental, the amount you get is limited by the LHA for your area and bedroom entitlement. If your rent is higher than the allowed LHA then you would have to pay the difference. You can check the LHA rates here.

    Search for Local Housing Allowance rates by postcode or local authority : DirectGov - LHA Rates

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 5,910 Championing

    The £823 is for Standard Allowance & LCWRA.

    Housing Element for rent would be on top of those.

  • Kerry2024
    Kerry2024 Online Community Member Posts: 82 Listener

    Thanks both.

    I can't seem to get a clear answer of how much I'd get towards the rent?

    Its probably be getting confused!

    I live in Devon so I'm under north Devon council.

    Does anyone know roughly how much housing support I'd get?

    Thanks again 😊

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,692 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/987456#Comment_987456

    This depends on who lives with you.

    If it is just you and your daughter then you should be entitled to the 2 bedroom rate. That's currently £148.44 per week for North Devon.

    That works out as £643.24 per month. So in this case UC would pay your full £607 per month rent. (You do not get the extra unfortunately.)

  • Kerry2024
    Kerry2024 Online Community Member Posts: 82 Listener

    Thanks very much for your help.

    Would you know what the housing support rate is in worcestershire/ west midlands is too please?(We're originally from there and considering moving back in the future)

    Thanks so much 😊

  • Kerry2024
    Kerry2024 Online Community Member Posts: 82 Listener

    Sorry to be a pain...

    How does it work with council tax?

    I am currently paying £112 per month...how much would I have to pay if not back at work?

    Thankyou

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,692 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/987470#Comment_987470

    For Worcester South the 2 bed rate should be £698.10 per month.

    We can't do a broad West Midlands area I'm afraid, there will be several different authorities and rates for that.

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,692 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/987472#Comment_987472

    It's really no problem. 🙂 Council tax is completely separate from UC though. That's still done individually by each local authority. Most people on a low income will qualify for Council Tax Reduction to some extent, but each council has their own rules and their own percentages for discounts so that's not something we can advise on unfortunately.

  • Kerry2024
    Kerry2024 Online Community Member Posts: 82 Listener

    Thanks very much 😊

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