UC, LCWRA, getting back to work help

RightasRain
RightasRain Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
edited February 2024 in Universal Credit (UC)
Hi all

I've been on UC LCWRA for a while now. I also receive standard PIP rates all for my mental health issues.

I'm in an unfortunate situation being at home still (I'm almost 30 and have trouble with mental/emotional abuse from my mother and sister when she's here). I've been taking a part-time course as part of the Adult Education fund and spent time in the last 3 years with therapists and working with doctors to get to a better place. Not that my community mental health team have bothered contacting me since last April but I don't need them now.

I'm unsure of what the process is when I want to start applying for full-time work again. I've been advised to start part-time but it's not enough and I want to save to move away as soon as I can and I'm also feeling more confident that this is the right step now. Do I have to inform UC that I am applying for work before I start? Or am I able to just report it when I get into work? I have no clue what I'm doing.

Any help is appreciated as I have no idea what I'm doing in regards to the benefits. I'm also waiting for assessments for possible ADHD and Autism so I don't know how that will affect things at the moment as nothing is diagnosed.

Thank you in advance!

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,456 Championing
    You don’t need to do anything while looking for work. 

    If you start working you must report a change of circumstances for UC and tell them you’re working. Where there’s any entitlement will depend on your earnings received each month. You can use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. 

    PIP won’t be affected because it isn’t about your ability to work. However, do be aware that if the work you do contradicts the reasons why you’re claiming it then it can go against you at your next review. 
  • RightasRain
    RightasRain Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
    My PIP is waiting on a review, they've had the forms for almost a year, but I would be looking for remote work. My aim is to just get rid of all the benefits because PIP as useful as it is, it gives me massive anxiety when it comes to reviews. I would inform them if things changed. As of yet, all my struggles are still pretty hard. It's a long process!

    I appreciate all the feedback though, I just wanted to be sure of what I'm doing when I'm finally fully ready to go into work. The course is just a starting point so far! And I wanted to avoid anything that could be classed as fraud as well because that's not who I am.

    Thank you both! 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,456 Championing
    letitbe said:
    poppy123456 said:
    You don’t need to do anything while looking for work. 

    If you start working you must report a change of circumstances for UC and tell them you’re working. Where there’s any entitlement will depend on your earnings received each month. You can use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. 

    PIP won’t be affected because it isn’t about your ability to work. However, do be aware that if the work you do contradicts the reasons why you’re claiming it then it can go against you at your next review. 
    I know pip isn’t affected by work but if you’ve written down on your form that you only leave home 2/3 times a week and then get a full time job that means you’ll be out of the house 5/6 days a week . Shouldn’t you notify them of this ? Can’t it possibly be seen as fraud ? Sorry I’m just asking because I’m really unsure of it . 
    Yes indeed, that's why I advised about the work you do contradicting the reasons why you're claiming PIP. It's also worth remembering that not everyone goes out to work. Some people work remotely from home. 
  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,866 Championing
    Hello @RightasRain

    Going to pop an email over to you <3 

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