UC and Limited Capability to work

megmog00
megmog00 Online Community Member Posts: 15 Listener
in Benefits and income
Hi there! I’m new to the group & just wanted to ask a few questions! I have just had to quit my job due to my chronic illness affecting me too badly to work. I found out last week that I have been awarded PIP which is brilliant news. I am expecting to get my final pay from work next week & will then apply for UC. When I spoke to citizens advice they advised that I may be entitled to ‘limited capability to work’ which would be an extra £350 (I think) a month…. Has anyone been through this process? Is it as daunting as pip? I’m really worried I wont be entitled to it. 

Comments

  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,536 Championing
    Hello there @megmog00 and a warm welcome to the community :) Thank you for taking the time to reach out this morning and tell us about your situation.

    I'm pleased to hear you've been awarded PIP, but I'm sorry that you've had to quite your job, how are you finding things at the moment, as I'm sure that's probably a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. 

    The Scope website more information on a Universal Credit and Work Capability Assessments, as well as where to get support. As with any benefit application it can feel quite daunting at first, but with support this makes things easier. 

    Just to be clear, there are two categories of support group, limited capability for work, and limited capability for work-related activity. 

    You are only entitled to claim more Universal Credit if you have limited capability for work-related activity.

    If you have limited capability for work, you can still claim Universal Credit but you will not receive any extra money.

    You can check your benefit entitlements using the Turn2Us website, which also features guidance on Work Capability Assessments.

    Let us know if any of that isn't making sense, or if you have other questions, just ask.

    Alex

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,458 Championing
    Have you used a benefits calculator to check entitlement to UC? It's a means tested benefit so whether you qualify will depend on your circumstances. If you live with a partner you claim as a couple. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming.
    If you are entitled when you claim UC you need to make sure you report your health condition as well, this will then prompt you to report a fit note, which you need to do within 7 days of that. After around 29 days you will be referred for a work capability assessment. You will then receive the forms to fill out and return within 1 month.
    Your PIP award will have no bearing on the WCA because they are 2 different benefits, with different crtieria.
    Also, if you've paid the correct amount of NI contributions from working in the previous 2 tax years 2019/20 and 2020/21 then you can claim New style ESA. There's no financial gain to claiming both together because the ESA is deducted in full from any UC entitlement. However because the ESA is not mean tested then it may come in useful in the future if you ever have a change of circumstances such as savings/partner working or a pension. It is also paid fortnightly so can help with budgeting a little easier.
    The ESA can also be backdated for 3 months depending on circumstances during those 3 months. If you were working more than 16 hours/week or you were claiming SSP from your employer you won't be able to backdate it for that time. You will need a fit note and the SSP1 form from your employer.
    The WCA is simialar to PIP but different criteria. Will you qualify for LCWRA? That will depend on exactly how your health conditions affect you. Remember, you will be assessed on the work you can do, rather than the work you can't do.


  • megmog00
    megmog00 Online Community Member Posts: 15 Listener
    Thank you for the info, I’m not sure that I would qualify for the LCWRA… I’m sure I would for the LCW. It’s tough as I want to do the right thing to support myself financially but also for my health. I’m not sure if it would be better for me to apply for ESA
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,000 Championing
    megmog00 said:
    Thank you for the info, I’m not sure that I would qualify for the LCWRA… I’m sure I would for the LCW. It’s tough as I want to do the right thing to support myself financially but also for my health. I’m not sure if it would be better for me to apply for ESA
    If you will be claiming UC anyway then claiming ESA will not increase your income because the ESA will be deducted from your UC.

    If found to have LCW then you can only be paid ESA for 12 months. If found to have LCWRA then ESA can continue indefinitely.
  • megmog00
    megmog00 Online Community Member Posts: 15 Listener
    I’m just really confused with it all to be honest, I don’t really understand what the difference is !
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,000 Championing
    megmog00 said:
    I’m just really confused with it all to be honest, I don’t really understand what the difference is !
    The links provided by poppy in her earlier reply explain the way LCW and LCWRA are assessed.
    The assessment is exactly for the same for ESA and UC.
  • Jo_2022
    Jo_2022 Online Community Member Posts: 295 Empowering
    Hi @megmog00! A friendly welcome to you on the Scope online community! Thank you for this post.

    It is unfortunate that you have had to give up your job due to ill health. Well done for receiving PIP and taking steps towards doing the right thing for yourself financially! 😊

    I would say that you go for it and try applying for Universal Credit! You will have a Work Capability Assessment and then it will be decided if you are found to have Limited Capability for Work, or Limited Capability for Work Related Activity. They will assess you based on how your health conditions affect you.

    You may find the below links helpful:

    https://wcainfo.net/#activities



    Hope this helps. All the best! 

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