PIP and Universal credit

Sophs2345

Hi, do anyone know if I can get a disability element with Universal credit with claiming PIP ? 
I know you can with Tax credits.
Thank you

poppy12345

Sophs2345 said:

Hi, do anyone know if I can get a disability element with Universal credit with claiming PIP ? 
I know you can with Tax credits.
Thank you

No, there's no disability element to UC. For UC it's a work capability assessment and you need to send fit notes to start the process off and then a work capability assessment is needed. Although claiming PIP doesn't automatically mean you're entitled to limited capability for work. More info here. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-quick-guide/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition

Sophs2345

Hi thank you. Do you know if claiming PIP would help an LCWRA application? 
I claim carers allowance at the moment as I am a carer but I am worried about stopping claiming it for to apply for LCWRA as I know you can't claim both benefits but what if my LCWRA application is turned down? Can I claim carers allowance up until a decision as I will obviously still be caring. 

Thanks

poppy12345

They are both completely different benefits, with different criteria. If you're already claiming UC then to start the WCA assessment process off you'll need fit notes from your GP. Yes, you can continue to claim the carers allowance while you're waiting for a decision on the WCA.

Sophs2345

Thats amazing thank you! 

poppy12345

If you're already claiming UC (you haven't said you are) then the carers allowance is deducted from it £1 for £1 anyway. You should also be receiving the carers element as part of your entitlement. If you send in the fit notes and you're eventually awarded LCWRA then the same person can't receive both the LCWRA and carers element at the same time. If the decision is just LCW then your maximum entitlement will stay the same.

Sophs2345

I do yes get UC. I get the carers element so I will lose that as like you said you can't get both.
So I can end the crers as soon as I get an award of LCWRA  ( if I am entitled) . 
The LCW is a little bit less than the carers element isn't it so I wouldn't claim it as id have to look for work if I get that where I don't with carers allowance correct ? 

poppy12345

The LCW element only applies to claims started before April 2017 so it wouldn't apply to you anyway. You can't just "claim" the elements, you would have the work capability assessment first and need to wait for a decision to made on that. It's similar to the PIP assessment but has different criteria.

LCWRA descriptors here. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/3904-limited-capability-for-work-related-activity

See link for work capability assessment. It says ESA but it applies to the UC WCA too.

https://www.chdauk.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance-esa

Sophs2345

Oh I meant LCW allowance not the element which is the ( lower rate ) isn't it. 
Thank you. I will take a look! 

poppy12345

LCW allowance? That's no such thing. You can be given just LCW but there's no extra money for this, although for you it makes no difference because as you said you claim the carers element, so there's no work related requirements anyway.

calcotti

Sophs2345 said:

I do yes get UC. I get the carers element so I will lose that as like you said you can't get both.
So I can end the carers as soon as I get an award of LCWRA  ( if I am entitled) . 
The LCW is a little bit less than the carers element isn't it so I wouldn't claim it as id have to look for work if I get that where I don't with carers allowance correct ? 

You don't need to stop the carers element. If you are awarded the LCWRA element after you have had the Work Capability Assessment then UC will automatically remove the carer element.
If you are getting Carer's Allowance you can continue to claim and receive this even if you are found to have LCWRA for UC.