Universal Credit Help

Chris1974

Please help! I have been on just carer’s allowance for the last 11 years, but sadly my wife passed away recently. What would my response be to this question on U/C?
Confirm previous earnings from work?
In the 12 months before you claimed Universal Credit, were there any gaps in your employment?

Many Thanks
Chris

pmlindyloo

My condolences on your loss.

May I suggest that you do not continue with your Universal Credit application for the moment as once you have made an application then there is no 'going back' to legacy benefits.

What were you claiming before your wife passed away. Were you on her ESA claim or were you receiving Income Support as a couple?

Are you receiving the 8 week run on of Carer's allowance?

Do you currently receive housing benefit?

Do you have savings or any other income?

If you need to claim a new legacy benefit - JSA/Income Support/housing benefit then you will have to apply for Universal Credit.

However, you may be entitled to new style JSA (the old contribution based JSA) as the conditions for this include special circumstances for carers.

Have a read of this:

https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/help-with-benefits/other-working-age-benefits

If you are eligible for new style JSA then this is outside of Universal Credit and can be claimed separately.

Depending on your circumstances you may not have to claim UC at all.

Will await your reply...………….

calcotti

Are you aware of Bereavement Support Payment which you should claim within 3 months of the death. This will give you a lump sum and a modest monthly payment for 18 months. It should not affect any other benefits you may be entitled to.
https://www.gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment

You should note also that if you claim new style JSA or UC it is normally a requirement that you are available for and looking for work. However DWP are not permitted to impose any work search requirements for the 6 months following the date of your wife's death.

Condolences for your loss.

Chris1974

Thank you guys for your quick responses.
I’m at the end of my 8 week run of carer’s allowance and do appear to be claiming the correct entitlement, but just don’t understand how I should answer the previous question? also I have claimed my entitlements of bereavement through help of my welfare officer.I have had a face to face with universal credit and also been signed off by my GP for initially 2 months until 12/01/19 to be reviewed, however I have constant appointments with U/C i.e;
7th Jan - Helping you prepare for work - Meet your work coach
14th Jan - Attend your commitments review

Many Thanks Again

pmlindyloo

So you have already made the UC online application?

These questions about employment - are they on the UC application from or from someone else?

The first answer is straightforward - None - you had no previous employment,

The second question - can you put 'not applicable' and then explain in a further information box that you have been claiming Carer's Allowance only for the last 11 years?

Remember that you do not have to job seek for 6 months after a bereavement.

Link here (in case you need to remind your job coach when you go for your interview.)

http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2018-0759/CC_-_Switching_off_WA_and_WRA_v8.0.pdf

calcotti

The requirement that DWP must not expect you to do any work search etc for 6 months following the date of death as mentioned by myself and pmlindyloo in previous posts is also covered in Advice to Decision Makers

See para J3200 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/720614/admj3.pdf
The relevant regulations are referenced at the end of the paragraph.