Will change of hours move us to UC

UKSBD

We currently receive tax credits as a couple working 35 hours between us, I work 25 wife 10.

I'm currently receiving treatment for cancer, spent 8 weeks in hospital followed by 7 weeks of chemo and radiotherapy.

Was hoping to maintain my 25 hours, but finding it increasingly difficult.

If I drop down to 14 hours we will obviously lose the 30 hour element but will it also move us on to UC?

If so, I have a 2nd property which has a tenant in it, does this mean we won't be eligible for anything?

We can't just kick the tenant out and despite being asset rich, the cash we have will soon run out

What are we supposed to do during the time of getting tenant out and selling 2nd property?

[Deleted User]

No a change in hours does not mean you will need to claim UC.

Have you applied for PIP?

Alice_Holt

I'd recommend getting advice from a Macmillan Benefits Advisor:
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/organising/benefits-and-financial-support

Some thoughts -
Is PIP a possibility -
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/before-claiming/check-you-are-eligible/

If so, you may still be able to retain TC whilst working fewer hours:
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/disability-element

You will only move to UC if you apply for UC.
If you have capital more than £16k you will not be eligible for UC:
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Savings-and-other-capital-overview-Universal-Credit
As you say the 2nd property will count as capital.

UKSBD

thanks both.

I've got macmillan support nurse but never spoke about benefits as I just assumed the 2nd property would rule us out of everything.

I doubt I'll be eligible for PIP as not bad enough yet

All the calculators say we are entitled to Zero.

I guess our only hope is that we stay on Tax credits until I get better or die.

Can they make us move to UC?

Alice_Holt

UKSBD wrote: »

thanks both.

I've got macmillan support nurse but never spoke about benefits as I just assumed the 2nd property would rule us out of everything.

I doubt I'll be eligible for PIP as not bad enough yet

All the calculators say we are entitled to Zero.

I guess our only hope is that we stay on Tax credits until I get better or die.

Can they make us move to UC?

PIP is not means tested.
It is can be paid whether you are working or not working.
Have you looked at the link I posted?

I'd recommend getting advice from a Macmillan Benefits Advisor about PIP and the disabled element of Tax Credits.

Look carefully at these links:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/725533/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-assessment-criteria.pdf
Particularly the section on reliability.

And:
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system


You will only move to UC if you apply for UC.

UKSBD

Thanks,

I did look at the links but don't really appear to fit the criteria.

You wouldn't really know there was much wrong with me by looking at me (apart from the scars, swelling, loss of weight, lack of half a jaw)

I can still do everything, just find it a lot more tiring, my spacial awareness is terrible and I'm slow on my legs (that's more due to laziness and not being active enough).

I do find it tricky to concentrate sometimes and tend to have a few catnaps during the day, but nowhere near bad enough to be eligible from what I have read.

As long as they don't take the tax credits off us we should be OK
We get about £60 a week plus child benefits, which stops us tipping over.