Hi, my name is Linda68a! Can we claim anything else?

Linda68a

Hi, 
I have been unable to work for the last 6 years following operation and chemo and since then my mobility has got worse as since having to rest for 6 weeks following surgery I've not got back to my fitness levels prior to operation.
At the time of surgery it was noted I have curvature of the spine and spinal degrading as well. I was a carer in my last job and previously I have done warehouse work so neither are suitable for my health situation as it now is. 
I am using an electric wheelchair to go out side of house as otherwise I can't go out as I take a few steps and end up in horrible pain from my back into my hips.
In short the 6 years I have been unable to work has left us (my husband and i) having to rely on my husband's wages, just above minimum wage and money we had kept for retirement. The money as you can imagine has dwindled to virtually nothing and the only money I get is PIP and due to not getting  universal credit or other benefits we do not get the money to help with heating and cost of living. 
Any ideas on if we can claim anything else as I believe we are being penalised, we have turned the heating off as too expensive to run.

poppy123456

The only benefit you can claim now is Universal Credit because it's replaced all the old benefits. You won't be able to claim New style ESA because you haven't worked for 6 years and you need to have worked in the previous 2 tax years for this.

As UC is means tested then you will need to claim as a couple and your joint circumstances will be taken into consideration. Use a benefits calculator and put in both your details to see what it comes out with.

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=7390e4bf-3a84-4fec-8adf-da64a1e4a0f1

Help with energy costs isn't based on means tested benefits, everyone named on an energy account will be entitled to £66/67 per month from Oct to March.

If your PIP claim started on or before 25th May 2022 then you should have received £150 cost of living payment in September.

Linda68a

Long time in replying with update, we have claimed joint universal credit and initially got £62, then £90 followed by £28, we then got informed we were getting more uc and refunded us what we should have got. My husband is working and usually works the same hours week on week but we seem to be getting varying amounts. I was later informed because of my health conditions I was being awarded LCWRA and it had a 3month waiting period, started 14th April to 14th July, I guess we don't get backdated on this, odd to me as they say you are awarded it then make you wait 3 months. 
Finances are extremely difficult right now and I'm worrying all the time about making ends meet and it's not doing my mental health any good and it is making me very tearful and down. 
Don't know if we will qualify for the cost of living payment this time round. Life is a very worrying time right now, not claimed in years and this has proved hard to get my head around. 

poppy123456

The waiting period for the LCWRA element applies in most cases. The only time it doesn’t apply is when applying through end of life. The same rules applied for ESA. 

If you didn’t previously have the work allowance before a decision was made on the WCA then the money they owed was most likely because of that. 

If your PIP includes the daily living part and your husband cares for you for at least 35 hours per week then they can claim carers element of UC for looking after you. (Unless it’s already included) 

The next cost of living payment will be in the Autumn and the qualifying period for that hasn’t been announced yet. 

Linda68a

Thanks for you help on my query, just trying to get my head round things.
My husband gets the carers part of UC as he has to do a lot more than he would if I was more able bodied.
Trouble is I've always worked so could buy stuff and now all money has to be to pay bills and food buying so no spare cash at all, finding it hard.

poppy123456

Unfortunately benefits entitlement doesn’t take into consideration bills you have to pay. A lot of people are exactly the same as you and find it very difficult to live.