Partner receives LWCRA And I’m an OU student

fluffy_bear111

Hi everyone, long story short my boyfriend would like me to move into his one bedroom flat with him. He receives UC and has been placed in the LWCRA group due to his mental health and certain physical ailments, he is also a care leaver just for context. I am a student studying at the OU due to my own mental health issues I’ve suffered with from a child. I study full time hours and recieve student finance for a part time maintenance loan (as the ou is classed as part time even though I study full time hours). I know we’d be put on a joint claim and my student finance loan would be taken out of it, but would they still make me look for work? I also work four hours a week, I am unable to work more due to my mental health and only feel comfortable doing this work as it’s in my own home looking after my brother who is severely disabled . Due to my mental health I was never able to go into college and left school early and have never been able to hold down a job, I am only happy studying at the ou as it is online? (We live in Wales btw)

Sorry for the long message but what options do we have? Would they make me look for work during summer breaks or even whilst I’m studying? Would I be eligible for LWCRA?

Important note: I haven’t moved in yet, just looking at our options and what our finances would be like

Lauren29

Can I ask if your boyfriend receives the daily living component of PIP? If so you could claim the Carers Element of UC and would have no work requirements.

fluffy_bear111

@Lauren29

He applied for it at the beginning of the year and scored 0 on everything (which was beyond me when he suffers from multiple mental and physical conditions). We’re going to re apply soon and push even more evidence to them so fingers crossed

But there’s a chance he still won’t receive it and it will take a while before he does if he gets it

I read somewhere that if he has Lwcra well both be put in the no work related requirements, I’m not sure if this is true

Kimi87

You would need to go through the Work Capability Assessment process yourself.

If awarded LCWRA no extra money is paid, as the maximum number of LCWRA elements payable is one in a couples claim. You still wouldn't be required to look for work.

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

fluffy_bear111

@Kimi87

Thankyou! We’re not looking for extra money just a reassurance that I won’t have to work and study 35 hours a week and look after him most of the time. This really helps Ty