universal credit - reporting to job centre?

sanova76

Hi,

I need to apply UC as a single parent after splitting up.

I'm reading the gov website and looks like you have to report to the job centre frequently if you're unemployed?

https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/your-responsibilities

I'm a full time carer for my autistic son and working is not possible at the moment even I would like to.

Please advise.

Thanks.

calcotti

Does your son receive DLA? If you are a carer you should be treated as such and will not be expected to look for work. You will also get extra money in your UC award.

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Universal-Credit/Claimant-Commitment-Conditionality#guide-content

sanova76

yes, he does receive DLA.

calcotti

You should be treated as a carer and your UC will be made of of a standard allowance plus a child element plus a carer element plus housing costs (if you are renting).

If you are doing some work the amount of UC will be reduced but some of your earnings will be ignored.

You can see what you may get using a benefits calculator https://www.entitledto.co.uk

You can ask for an advance, if you do you will have to pay it back over the following 12 months.

calcotti

Just realised you seem to be running two threads essentially covering the same thing. I see fromthe other thread that you are not renting but have a mortgage.unfortunately UC will not help with your mortgage repayments.

sanova76

Thanks.

My main concern is I'll be pressured to find a job. Not that I don't want to work, I just can't with current circumstances.

I've tried the benefit calculator but it asked for previous tax year income (I've joint claim with my ex) so I'm not sure if it's accurate or not.

sanova76

calcotti wrote: »

Just realised you seem to be running two threads essentially covering the same thing.

Sorry, I started a new thread because I thought I asked slightly different things.

Please delete/merge thread if possible.

Many thanks.

calcotti

sanova76 wrote: »

Thanks.

My main concern is I'll be pressured to find a job. Not that I don't want to work, I just can't with current circumstances.

I've tried the benefit calculator but it asked for previous tax year income (I've joint claim with my ex) so I'm not sure if it's accurate or not.

I didn’t realise the calculator asked for that if you have asked it to calculate UC as previous salary will make no difference to UC entitlement (whereas it did for Tax Credits).

calcotti

sanova76 wrote: »

Sorry, I started a new thread because I thought I asked slightly different things.

Please delete/merge thread if possible.

Many thanks.

It’s fine but as you will have seen the responses tend to broaden out so they end up overlapping so it can be easier to keep everything i one place. My comment was intended as a criticism. The important thing is for you to get the advice you need.

Tomsdottir

Carers UK have a good explanation of the "claimant commitment" for carers. (In other words, the conditions you meet as a carer to get UC).

https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/help-with-benefits/universal-credit#sec3

Lots of good stuff on their website for carers.