Hi, my name is clairemells8! Will we get an extra amount on top of our UC claim?

clairemells8

Hello I am new to this community and want some advice. Over the past few years my health has got worse and progressively worse after a operation. I was in part time employment up until my operation but on SSP and then finished due to not being able to do the job. I live with my partner and we get a small amount of UC. I applied for PIP and received both elements on standard rate. I gave sick notes to UC as was advised I had to to keep the claim going. I was then sent a form and had a assessment and was awarded lcwra over 6 weeks ago now. I was wondering from reading up on this, will we get a extra amount on top of the UC payment we get, as I was not able to claim ESA because I haven't paid enough NI contributions. So is lcwra only awarding extra money if I've been on ESA??? As I never have. It's a mindfield for me.

poppy123456

You will receive an extra £354.28 per month from the 4th month of your claim, starting from when you first reported your health condition.

This is because there's a full 3 month waiting period and the extra money isn't paid at all during this time.

When it's paid from will depend on what date exactly you reported your health condition and the dates of your assessment periods (or what date you usually recieve your money each month) You must have also sent fit notes without any gaps until a decision was made on your claim.

clairemells8

Thank you poppy123456. I appreciate your answer. So the lcwra is still awarded even if I've not paid enough stamps. Am new to all this so sorry to go on, but asking my UC advisor online she just keeps putting "keep checking in now and again"???? Really helpful 

clairemells8

Thank you Biblioklept for your reply. No my partner still works atm so doesn't claim care for me. It might change in the future as atm I'm still at the stubborn stage of trying to do everything, making myself worse and then feeling ill for days after. I'm finding it hard to accept that I can't do what I used too . It's a big learning curve and trying to acceptance my health atm.

poppy123456

LCWRA is an element that’s part of UC. When claiming UC it’s nothing to do with NI contributions.

Your husband will be able to claim carers element if he looks after you for at least 35 hours per week. He just needs to report a change of circumstances and tell them he cares for you. With carers element there’s no earnings limit like there is with carers allowance. This will increase your maximum UC entitlement by a further £168.81 per month.

If you didn’t previously have the work allowance then you will now have this. It means that a certain amount of your husband’s earnings are ignored before the 55% deductions apply. See link https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-work-allowances/universal-credit-work-allowances

clairemells8

Thank you for your feedback on my question. I wish I would have joined the community before now and might not have had as many sleepless nights. A really big thank you again. I will be looking into the caring element.