Worried about universal credit

Zahapalace

Hi all.
I am really worried about my situation with universal credit. My daughter was born with a rare chromosome disorder called cri-du-chat which severly limits her in most aspects. She is almost 3 and is nowhere near walking, talking, potty training, or anything really and this will be life long. She is is in need of full on 24 hour care and its having an affect on my mental health and our marriage due to the constant care needs that she needs and the sadness it brings watching her grow up like this. My wife does OK as her carer but she cannot carry on by herself as it will start to grind her down as well. We have no real family around to help so we are pretty much on our own and for the last 3 years all our attention has been on our daughter and we have had no couple time or any break whatsoever. I spoke to universal credit about reducing my hours to 16 hours a week from 39 hours and they said they wouldn't see a problem with that so I went ahead and done it. After I done it I spoke to the same work coach who kinda went back on what she said and although I have heard nothing for a couple of months I'm worried they will start questioning why my earnings have reduced and start getting funny with me. I would just like to know where I stand if they did start pushing me to increase my hours and/or trying to sanction me for reducing my hours as I read that's a reason as to why you could be sanctioned. Any advice would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Mrsn

My earnings had dropped in April due to me receiving SSP and took me below their expected threshold earnings. They were quick enough to make me sign new claimant commitments regarding looking for more work to increase my earnings. UC were aware I’d been in hospital and after a chat with a work coach it has just been left as it is for now until December whereby they will review it. Unfortunately I don’t think anyone will be able to give you a definitive answer regarding this, I would perhaps advise speaking to someone via the call centre explain how stressed you are not knowing where you stand and is it possible to have a final answer regarding this.

I appreciate that you have reduced your hours to help with your wife’s caring duties and it’s wonderful that you’ve done so but in terms of conditions of receiving the benefit I’m not sure if that will be a sufficient reason for them to accept the reduction.

Zahapalace

Did you get sanctioned for reduced earnings? I had to sign to say I would increase my earnings but the work coach said it was just a generic one. I spoke to the citizens advice who said that my reasons should be good enough and that I shouldn't worry to much about it and uc and work coach are fully aware I have done it but still have heard nothing from them. Do you think I will be sanctioned still?

huckster

I very much doubt the reduced hours/earnings will be looked at, unless you made a fuss about this and someone thinks it is a good idea to refer it to a Decision Maker.

As long as you are working at least 16 hours at national minimum wage or more, you would meet the administrative earnings threshold, which should be light touch-in work. In theory, you would be asked to attend appointments to discuss how to increase your earnings, but you may not receive such appointment requests.

You had understandable reasons for reducing your hours and if you supplied all of the information about wife/daughter, I am sure it would be taken into account.

Can I suggest that you obtain professional advice from organisations that advise people on caring for children with disabilities. Perhaps you are not claiming all of the benefits/grants that you may be eligible for. And in terms of managing work, caring responsibilities and personal lifes, health/wellbeing etc, it may be best to ask organisations for their advice. Many people who work for charity organisations have had personal experience which they want to share, to help others.

Mrsn

No I didn’t get sanctioned, they were very supportive. I was as huckster said put in the light touch group and given my health problems my work coach is happy for me to do as I am. Your circumstances are so very different, please try not to stress too much over this. Also I think hucksters advice about the professional agencies would be incredibly helpful in your situation

elsien

Not what you asked, but have you and your wife requested support as parent carers?

https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/practical-support/getting-care-and-support/young-carers-and-carers-of-children-under-18

xylophone

we have had no couple time or any break whatsoever.

Presumably there are health professionals involved in your daughter's care.

Have you looked into nursery provision?

https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-2-year-olds

Zahapalace

Yeah my daughter goes to pre school but only 12 hours a week as that's about as much as she can handle and often has to come home early or it tires her out for the many other appointments she has. When she is at nursery me and my wife spend our time doing the housework and preparing and organising her appointments and all sorts of other stuff so it really is non stop.

Zahapalace

I really hope I don't hear nothing from them, it's been a couple of months and heard nothing so far but I'm srltill expecting them to badger me in the near future. I'm not being lazy or egxagerating how hard it is, it's full on and so hard to cope. I'm still earning above the 16 hours at minimum wage..just so worried about them stopping our uc and I just cannot stop worrying about it