Housing and Work.

Vanepipi
Vanepipi Online Community Member Posts: 31 Listener

Hello to whom it may concern,

It is important for me to try to contact someone who might help me figure out the following doubts; if I start working and I'm receiving LWCRA universal credit will the DWP take out my benefit ? I've been told the opposite . But I'm confused i believe that I can volunteering and work as well and keep the benefits Ive been awarded which is PIP and LWCRA. WILL SOMEONE HELP ME FIGURE THIS OUT please?

And on the other hand I have also another question for the community which is as follows; if I decide to move out of the place I'm leaving in and I need housing support will the department of work and pension help me out with living expenses, housing rental letting me keep my awards ? I'm confused. Thank you all.

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    LCWRA is part of UC. Yes, you can work while claiming this but you need to be aware that if the work you do contradicts the reasons why you're claiming the LCWRA element then it could go against you when you have your next review.

    If you do start working then you must report a change of circumstances by logging into your journal, assuming you have access to one. Then click work and earnings and tell them you're working.

    As you have LCWRA then you will have the work allowance. This means that you can receive a certain amount of earnings each month before any deductions apply. If you're not currently claiming for help with any rent then your work allowance will be £673/month. For every £1 over that amount your UC will reduce by 55p.

    If you have a liability to pay rent to a landlord then yes you can claim for help with the rent through UC known as housing element. (assuming you won't be living in either supported or temporary housing and then rent will be paid through housing benefit)

    If you privately rent and you're a single person then your housing element will be determined by the Local Housing Allowance. (LHA) for the area you live and your circumstances. If you're under 35 then you'll be entitled to the shared rate of LHA unless your PIP includes the daily living part and then you'll be entitled to the 1 bedroom rate. You can check the rates for different areas here. https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk You will need proof of liability to pay rent such as tenancy/lodgers agreement.

    If you're living in either social/council housing then you'll be entitled to all of the rent unless you have spare bedrooms. No proof of rent is needed because they automatically contact your landlord.

    PIP isn't affect by working, unless the work you do contradicts the reasons why you're claiming and then it could go against you at your next review.

  • Vanepipi
    Vanepipi Online Community Member Posts: 31 Listener

    Thank you Poppy. Always so prompt on your responses.

    I offered my knowledge and skills to the DWP to work or do some volunteering job as I need to socialise and also being grateful to them from being helping me with these two benefits.

    My work case agent told me that I can do both and keep my benefits but today I heard something different that's why I had doubts.

    Thank you again for your helpful response.

    Vanesa.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    You're welcome. Just to add a little extra information, if you do work in the future and receive earnings, if you're claiming for help with the rent then your work allowance will be lower. This year it's £404/month in this case.