UC/tax credits/PIP - and working

The_IT_Fairy

This is on behalf of my sister who has autism and developmental delay and a technology phobia (can only just manage a mobile phone and is scared of the internet).

She claims PIP (enhanced care and mobility) but is also working. Her hours were cut to the extent that she no longer met the requirement for tax credits of 16 hours per week - although single and childless, because of the PIP award this is the threshold - so these were stopped. Job centre therefore got involved. And she lives in a UC area.

She now has a second job (go my sister!) which takes her back over the 16 hour a week threshold so, if UC wasn't in place, she'd be able to reclaim the tax credits on the basis of working and having a disability.

My mum and I, who manage EVERYTHING for her as paperwork/money etc are some of the things that she can't cope with, are now really confused - how do we ensure that she can get the tax credits again that she's entitled to? Will her UC payment just be increased? And will she therefore keep having to go to the job centre even though she'll be working 20 hours a week?

Bear in mind that she doesn't drive and there's only 1 bus an hour (each way) to the nearest job centre - and she would need to get there after the morning job finishes but before the afternoon one starts so could only make an appointment between 11 and 2. And we all know how amenable job centres are....

Any advice appreciated

The IT Fairy - a very confused big sister

Alice_Holt

I'm afraid once on UC, she is unable to return to Tax Credits if she is in a full service area.

Here is some info on UC claimant commitment:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/interview/claimant-commitment-what-group/

It may be worth you going with your sister to her local CAB / advice agency about UC conditionality.

Icequeen99

As Alice says it really depends on your postcode area. You can use this checker https://www.universalcreditinfo.net to see if you are a full service area (meaning nearly everyone can claim UC).

If you are then unfortunately she won't be able to return to tax credits and will just have to inform UC of her work. She will need to ensure she is placed in the right conditionality group.

IQ