Hypothetical UC - work Q

jamrumples

Currently myself and my partner are both Lcwra. 

If I’m the future my partners health is manageable and finds himself well enough to go back to work. Where does that leave me? 

If he works full time hours but still doesn’t earn enough and needs a UC top up would we be eligible? 

Would I be forced to look for work? Would I have to have a wca to prove that I’m not fit for work? 

How does it work if we have 2 children, he works full time but I cannot? Do they just leave it at the one parent working and help with the UC top up or will they then continue to hassle me with wca’s? 

poppy123456

Although you've both been found to have LCWRA you'll only receive one payment on your claim.

If either of you decide to start working then you'll be entitled to the work allowance, which means you can earn a certain amount of money before the 55% deductions apply.

If you claim for help with the rent then your work allowance is £344, if you don't then it's £573.

The more earnings you receive during your assessment period the less UC you'll be entitled to. Yes you will need to continue with any future reviews because if you don't fill out any future forms you could be found fit for work and then your LCWRA element will stop, which will mean less UC maximum entitlement.

janer1967

Just to add you will keep the lcwra and won't be required to look for work and this will continue until you have a reassessment and if they come to a different decision 

Your partner starting work won't prompt a reassessment for yourself 

Also reassessment are suspended currently so dint.expect one anytime soon 

jamrumples

If he terminates his Lcwra by getting a job in the future, how does this affect me? 

Will I be asked to look for work also, or can I just be a stay at home wife? 

janer1967

AS above if you have lcwra you won't be required to look for work 

calcotti

jamrumples said:

If he terminates his Lcwra by getting a job in the future, how does this affect me? 

Getting work doesn't mean his LCWRA status changes. Even if he were later assessed and found to no longer have LCWRA that would have no change on your status. You are each assessed for LCWRA as individuals based on your health impacts. As you have LCWRA you have no requirements to look for work etc.

jamrumples

Thankyou, last Q if I’m later found to be fit for work.. but my fella works full time will I then be asked to look for work or will they just allow his wage and top ups with UC? 

All very confusing sorry if I’m not making myself clear. 

calcotti

If you were found Fit for Work in the future whether or not you were required to look for work would depend on how much your husband is earning.

jamrumples

If that was the case and my husband earned ex amount and we were entitled to UC top or tax credits would we not get them if I wasn’t looking for work. 

Basically I stay at home, he works are we entitled to tax credit or IC top up. I don’t know how it works anymore. Thankyou. 

calcotti

You do not get Tax Credits, you are on UC.
Each month you have a maximum UC which you would get if there was no other income. If he works then the amount of UC he get will possibly be reduced (but overall you will have more money).
If you were now found to have fit for work and you required to look for work and you failed to look for work then your UC could be sanctioned and your UC reduced - however you really getting yourself into something which is not relevant at the moment. 
At the moment you have LCWRA and that status cannot change until you are first put through a new Work Capability Assessment.