UC LCWRA - Starting part time work over 16 hours

littlemouse13
littlemouse13 Community Member Posts: 25 Contributor
edited May 2021 in Universal Credit (UC)
Hello there!
I am currently on UC and recieve LCWRA (i was previously on ESA and moving in with my partner who is on UC triggered the change to UC)
As my condition has become more manageable at times, I took the leap of starting a zero hour contract which gave me the opportunity to accept and decline shifts dependant on how I am on a day to day...week week to basis, usually way under 16 hours a week. This has helped me to push myself a little and gain confidence, and has not affected my payments.

I now have the possible opportunity to work fixed hours, 3 days per week, but this would be 24 hours work per week. Would this affect my UC LCWRA? I am confused as some places say I cannot work more than 16 hours or earn a certain amount of money, or my LCWRA will be affected.
I obviously want to take small steps to leave the LCWRA group that I have been placed in,as I worry that I may relapse and find the fixed commitment of work difficult and revert back to zero hour again. So will not acceot the offer if this is the case.

I am on UC LCWRA and recieve Housing Payments also. My partner lives with me and is on UC and unemployed currently.

Thanks for your help!

Comments

  • calcotti
    calcotti Community Member Posts: 9,999 Championing
    edited May 2021
    The ‘permitted work’ limit of less than 16 hours and less than £143/week is an ESA rule. It does not apply to UC.

    You retain your LCWRA status until DWP determine that you no longer should be treated so. 

    If the impact of your health on your ability to work has changed significantly you should inform DWP which will prompt a reassessment. However it makes sense to first see how you get on in case you find you are unable to sustain this level of activity. The fact you are working longer hours may of itself prompt a reassessment.
  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Community Member Posts: 17,413 Championing
    Hi @littlemouse13 - unlike ESA (where you can work up to 16 hours, unless you're doing voluntary work or supported permitted work, & your earnings are less than £143 per week), you can work as many hours as you like with UC, tho the amount you receive may reduce. You have a 'work allowance' which is £293 a month when getting help with your housing costs.  Please see: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-your-earnings-affect-your-payments    So, for every £1 you earn over £293, 63pence will be deducted from your UC (tho remember you will still have your wage). I hope this answers your question.
  • kami24
    kami24 Community Member Posts: 399 Empowering
    So if you are on lcwra UC and housing benefit you are allowed to work a few hours and get the same amount of benefit money? Im confused as i thought i couldn't work at all otherwise i would lose all my benefits?????? 
  • littlemouse13
    littlemouse13 Community Member Posts: 25 Contributor
    @chiarieds @calcotti Thankyou both for the advice, I appreciate you getting back to me so quickly. I will think on it, I am considering it may be better to remain on a zero hour contract to be honest as I know that I have flexibility this way. All the best

  • kami24
    kami24 Community Member Posts: 399 Empowering
    Could i possibly work a few hours in a shop somewhere then if it helped my mental health or something??? Never knew this 
  • calcotti
    calcotti Community Member Posts: 9,999 Championing
    kami24 said:
    Could i possibly work a few hours in a shop somewhere then if it helped my mental health or something??? Never knew this 
    Yes.
    For ESA see
    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employment-and-support-allowance-permitted-work-form/permitted-work-factsheet
    For UC you should just let them know through your UC journal.
  • kami24
    kami24 Community Member Posts: 399 Empowering
    Thankyou calcotti for your prompt replies to posts etc
  • kami24
    kami24 Community Member Posts: 399 Empowering
    Would you be kind of monitored and supported then if it's permitted work? I'd like to work but seems complicated and if I have to interact too much especially with a "supporter" then perhaps a big no no!! Is this the same if you are on lcwra and esa new style and uc?? 
  • calcotti
    calcotti Community Member Posts: 9,999 Championing
    kami24 said:
    Would you be kind of monitored and supported then if it's permitted work? I'd like to work but seems complicated and if I have to interact too much especially with a "supporter" then perhaps a big no no!! Is this the same if you are on lcwra and esa new style and uc?? 
    Ignore the bit about supported work. It’s a hangover from an older version of the rules. You can do any work but need to inform DWP as described. The link I posted about permitted work is only for ESA. For UC, as I said, you just let them know by posting in your journal.
  • kami24
    kami24 Community Member Posts: 399 Empowering
    Surely they check whether people are genuine though if they are claiming LCWRA? And would you be supported in work on new style esa whilst employed?? 
  • calcotti
    calcotti Community Member Posts: 9,999 Championing
    edited May 2021
    kami24 said:
    Surely they check whether people are genuine though if they are claiming LCWRA? And would you be supported in work on new style esa whilst employed?? 
    I don’t understand what you mean by checking if people are genuine or being supported in work.
  • littlemouse13
    littlemouse13 Community Member Posts: 25 Contributor
    Hey @kami24 I have been on LWCRA and UC for a while now, and I let them know when I started my zero hour contract job, and advised them that i was trying it as a means to dip my toe back into the world and see how I got on. They havent contacted me about it since and everything has been fine. When I started this I was worried that something would go wrong, but I have had a positive outcome and can decline shifts or accept them as I wish so it really works for my mental health issues. I wish you all the best.
  • kami24
    kami24 Community Member Posts: 399 Empowering
    Thanks little mouse?????️??not sure which kind of work would be beneficial for my mental health really I'm looking into it though nothing too stressful. I had like 28 jobs in the past etc but personality disorder and social problems possibly autism so maybe just one day a week somewhere 
  • littlemouse13
    littlemouse13 Community Member Posts: 25 Contributor
    @kami24
    Yes, its important to find what fits. I discovered tht I prefer to work alone and in work tht keeps me moving about, which helps me with my mental wellbeing. Good luck for your future!
  • Banafsheh_123
    Banafsheh_123 Community Member Posts: 4 Listener

    I currently receive Universal Credit with LCWRA and PIP.

    I have been offered a zero-hours contract in a kitchen environment. I would probably work around one shift per week, earning approximately £100 per shift (£400-£500 per month).

    I have read that people with LCWRA are allowed to work if they feel able to do so, and that starting work should not automatically trigger a reassessment unless their health condition changes.

    My concern is not about my Universal Credit reducing because of earnings. My concern is whether accepting this job could trigger a Work Capability reassessment or put my LCWRA award at risk.

    Based on my circumstances, do you think working one shift per week on a zero-hours contract is likely to cause problems with my LCWRA or PIP?

    Would I need to report this to PIP, or only to Universal Credit?

    Thank you.

  • Mary_Scope
    Mary_Scope Posts: 5,217 Scope Online Community Children and Family Specialists

    Hi @Banafsheh_123 and a warm welcome to the community from me!

    This won't impact your pip at all but it may potentially trigger a reassessment if your new job clashes with the health conditions that qualified you for LCWRA. For example, if you get LCWRA for a back problem that prevents you from standing but you start a job that requires heavy physical labor.

    So as long as your job doesn't contradict the reason for LCWRA I would think you would be okay😊

  • Banafsheh_123
    Banafsheh_123 Community Member Posts: 4 Listener

    @Mary_Scope

    Hi, thank you for your reply.

    From my UC50 form, the main difficulties I described were related to my mental health, including severe anxiety, panic attacks, depression, difficulty coping with unexpected changes, social anxiety, difficulty going out alone, and feeling overwhelmed in unfamiliar situations. I also explained how my past experience of domestic abuse has affected my confidence and ability to cope with daily life.

    My LCWRA award was mainly based on these mental health difficulties rather than a physical condition that prevents me from standing or moving.

    I have not worked in this type of role before, so it would be new to me. If I do decide to try working, I would only be looking at starting very slowly, perhaps one or two days a week, in a supportive environment. The role would be in a bakery kitchen rather than a customer-facing position

    I am hoping that trying a small amount of work in a supportive setting might help me rebuild confidence and see what I am realistically able to manage, while still being mindful of my anxiety and panic symptoms.

    Thank you for any advice

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