Couple on UC/one on LCWRA

littlemouse13

Hey there!

I am on  LCWRA and do 8 hours a week cleaning in a job that currently suits my health condition.
My partner usually works part time too on a zero hour contract. However for the upcoming month of June he has been asked to work 12 hour shifts and will be earning alot that month (full time hours) but after that month he will revert back to his usual 20 hrs per week.
 I am concerned as to how this will effect my LCWRA element of UC. Will it mean for that month, UC will not pay me LCWRA if my partner has earned over the threshold. More importantly, I wanted to check that I won't lose that element altogether because one month my partner will be working alot of hours. Its probably a silly question but we do not want to end up financially worse off in the long run if he accepts the hours offered. Thanks!

calcotti

The LCWRA element just makes up part of your maximum UC amount. That doesn't change and it isn't treated separately. 
Because you have LCWRA some of your joint earnings are ignored (called the Work Allowance, the amount depends on whether or not you get help with rent). Above this there is a deduction of 55% of earnings.

So, if your partner earns more your UC reduces (and could be nil depending on your maximum entitlement and how much he earns).  Next month when he earns less the UC goes up again.

littlemouse13

Oh, that helps my racing mind. Thankyou! 

Alex_Alumni

Glad it's helped @littlemouse13 please do say if you need a hand with anything else