Hi newbie here.

IFBoudicaWon

Saying hello & looking for advice as receiving conflicting info.

Have a child who will be finishing 6th form this June & possibly first generation to attend University and another hopefully starting an apprenticeship in Hybrid/EV mechanics after GCSE.

I work 24hrs a week but was diagnosed with bilateral degenerative Osteoarthritis after an accident where I damaged my a leg more severely then the other & it has given me mobility issues and pain ever since (14mths ago) it has changed my everyday outlook. I need to use a walking stick on bad days and as an aid or days where I have turned, stepped or misplaced my foot incorrectly triggering pain but I still go to work and my consultant stated I have a high pain threshold, I don't I just carry on, with painkillers.

After my shift I am home with Icepacks on my bad knee and resting the other one that is more swollen.

A single parent in receipt of UC(transferred over from TC) and they have told me I have to look for full time work it was only with a discussion with a colleague that they asked why I wasn't getting any PIP or LCWRA part of UC? Which I thought I wasn't that demographic and then they told me to join SCOPE community.

Having a hard time getting an appointment with Citizens Advice where I live but I will keep trying, just wondered if anyone on here can give me so information.

Both children have weekend jobs and that will change when one leaves for University they currently assist me in the home as I cannot carry hoover or anything heavy up the stairs or kneel on my knees, I can know longer squat down, gardening has really taken a step back and I miss it even down to socialising I am know longer confident.

Days out are now planned make sure no serious inclined or hills and everything has doubled time added as I walk at much slower pace and safer.

And I know with this Govn there are to be changes, I just don't understand the system and don't know where I stand or what to do and it has made me very anxious as I don't want to loose our home. I literally go to work, come home deal with the pain and then care for my children and home, like many but if policies are in place and help is available I would like to know what it is.

Thanks for your time and welcome.

Kimi87

PIP guide to claiming and descriptors:

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/claiming-personal-independence-payment-pip/start-your-personal-independence-payment-pip-claim

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

You can work and receive PIP, but it can be hard at assessment as this can be used against you as justification for not awarding points.

For both PIP & LCWRA unless you can do an activity reliably, repeatedly, safely and in a reasonable time frame, for more than 51% of the time, you are treated as unable to do the activity at all.

For UC LCWRA, you need a Fit Note from your GP and to report a health condition to Universal Credit. After day 29 you should be referred for a Work Capability Assessment.

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/limited-capability-for-work-related-activity

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-quick-guide/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition

If you earn over £793 a month you can't be referred for a WCA, unless you also get a disability benefit such as PIP.

People do work and receive LCWRA, but care has to be taken if the descriptor you qualify for/try to qualify for contradicts the nature of your job.

In all cases I strongly recommend getting help with form filling from local welfare rights.

https://advicelocal.uk/welfare-benefits