Hi, my name is Trikeman! Will UC be able to up my payments if I need further cancer treatment?

Trikeman

Hi, everyone I'm hoping someone can help with universal credit question. I have bladder cancer but at the moment I'm still able to work. Myself and the wife get universal credit with the disability element because my wife cannot work due to a spinal cord injury which will never change. If I have to have further more radical treatment eg surgery or chemotherapy will universal credit up my payments to cover my drop in earnings while having this treatment. I've asked UC but get non committal answers waffling on about work assessments and different groups depending on the results. Sorry if I waffled on first time posting.

Kimi87

If your wife already gets LCW or LCWRA, you can go through the Work Capability Assessment process but in a couples claim, only one LCW/LCWRA element is actually paid.

If your wages aren't being deducted then there will probably be some increase.

Try a benefits calculator:

https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Lauren29

Are you claiming the Carer Element of UC?

Trikeman

Hi Lauren 29, no I don't claim carers for my wife to be honest I didn't know I could. I work and my wife gets her PIP. I find the new benefits system so confusing after being migrated from tax credits which was nice and simple

Kimi87

If your wife gets PIP and you care for her over 35 hours a week, then you can apply for Carers Element paid under UC which is £201.68 a month.

In a couples claim the maximum payable is 1x LCWRA + 1x Carers Element.

Trikeman

Thank you Kimi8, I have contacted UC and asked to include the carers component for my wife in our claim. In your experience can most of these sort of changes be done online as I am back and forward to hospital for tests? I contact UC via my journal and find they just repeat the same answer as though reading from a screen. No flexibility or adjustment for personal circumstances.

Kimi87

Yes everything is done through the UC Journal.

You need to use the Report a Change, Caring for Someone, section of your Journal to apply for Carers Element.

Trikeman

Oh ok I just sent a message via my work coach. I will also do a report a change and caring for somebody request. Thank you so much for all you help and information.