Can I do part time work if in receipt of UC and LCWRA payments

Yeovilboy1

Hello, I wonder if anyone can help.

I have been gaining UC along with additional payment for being in the LCWRA group, which means that I am not presently required to look for work or do work related activities. 

I am wondering if I can do any appropriate part time paid work without my current UC and LCWRA payments being at all effected. I believe there may be a work allowance for someone in my position?

I am aware I can do volunteering, which is good. I think that a few suitable paid hours per week could be good for my health and aid my recovery, though I do not want to jeopardise my current benefit position, which makes an essential difference for me.

Thank you.
David

Yeovilboy1

Hi, yes I do get my rent paid in full by UC, thank you

calcotti

Your Work Allowance is £344/month. Earnings up to £344 will not affect your UC. If you earn more than £344 your UC is reduced by 55% of the amount over £344/month (so you're still better off).

Yeovilboy1

Thanks Calcotti, 
Just to clarify, If were to earn up to £344 per month, in addition to my UC not being effected will the extra amount I receive for LWCRA also be unaffected i.e. I keep these benefits as they currently stand if I do not exceed the £344 work allowance?
Thank you again
David

poppy123456

UC is one monthly payment made up of many different elements. If you earn up to £344 per month your whole UC payments will remain unchanged.
Do be aware though that if the work you do contradicts the reasons why you were found to have LCWRA then it could go against you next time you’re reassessed.

Yeovilboy1

Thank you very much, that's clear and helpful. One final question if I may. If I do find some part time work, given my aforementioned circumstances, is it advisable to ensure that I report such a change on my UC journal on gov.uk. Thank you, David.
 

calcotti

Yeovilboy1 said:

Thank you very much, that's clear and helpful. One final question if I may. If I do find some part time work, given my aforementioned circumstances, is it advisable to ensure that I report such a change on my UC journal on gov.uk. Thank you, David.

Not only is it advisable, it is a requirement. One of the conditions of your Claimant Commitment is that you report any changes. UC will then access information from HMRC about what your employer is paying you and will use this information when calculating your UC payments,

Yeovilboy1

Thank you, much appreciated.

tifo

If a person works whilst on LCW or LCWRA I believe the DWP will take this into consideration at the renewal assessment  ..... This can be unfair because it is 'Limited' not 'Never'.

poppy123456

tifo said:

If a person works whilst on LCW or LCWRA I believe the DWP will take this into consideration at the renewal assessment  ..... This can be unfair because it is 'Limited' not 'Never'.

Providing the work they do doesn't contradict the reasons why they were found to have LCW/LCWRA there shouldn't be any problems.