Universal Credit + Carers - New Claimant

Nannytone

In general  for really extraordinary circumstances only. Not for a failed crown

NewburyVilla

pmlindyloo said:

NewburyVilla said:

pmlindyloo said:

NewburyVilla said:

calcotti said:

Are UC aware that you are caring so you get the carer element added to your UC calculation?

One final question (I promise). At some point soon I'll need some dental work. I'm in pain due to a failed root canal. Some days it's fine, some days I'm in agony. Anyway, I'll probably need an implant which would cost around 2k. 

Am I best off letting them now in advance I'm getting it done to avoid them accusing me of "deprivation of assets", just keeping the receipts, or just go ahead & get it done without telling them? 

As I said I just want to keep everything above board 

There is absolutely no reason to tell them.

You are actually allowed up to £16000 in capital when claiming UC (called the upper limit)
The lower limit is £6000 which means that you are allowed £6000 without any penalties.

Any amount between £6000 and £16000 has a tariff income applied to it.  This means that any amount over the £6000 has £4.35 per month deducted from their UC for every £250 over the £6000.

Deprivation of assets can only occur if you have over £6000 in capital.

If you fancy a read (and have time) it is explained here:


Please don't worry about asking questions.  Lots of knowledgeable people on here who are happy to help.

Brilliant. Thanks.

If my savings crept over £6k (which it may do at some point), obviously I would notify them to reduce my benefit, but would I need to notify them then about the dental work then? Or because it falls under health/justifiable spending, is it ok to go ahead without their consent

Thanks 

If your savings go over the £6000 (and you notify them) and then you spend money then it becomes more complicated because they may look at deprivation of capital when you tell them your savings have gone back under the £6000.

Deprivation of capital basically means that you have got rid of some of your capital in order to increase your benefits and/or claim a benefit.

The DWP has to prove that you used the money for the above intention.

Usually someone called a Decision Maker will decide whether it is deprivation or not.

In the link I gave you there are some examples.

In your case paying for private dental treatment should be OK.  They may question why you can't have it done on the NHS.

Obviously the way forward is to have it done while your savings are well below the £6000.

If this can't be done and your savings increase over the £6000 then the simplest thing is to write in your journal the circumstances surrounding the need for private treatment and ask if this would treated as deprivation of capital before you have it done.

And yes, once you reach over £6000 keeping receipts for expenditure is a sensible thing to do.

Just a question/example on income v Capital

Let's say my capital is £5k and I get my monthly payment of £575. I'll then have a total amount of £5575. Lets just say for example I spend NOTHING that month (I wish lol), that £575 I was paid doesn't become capital until the end of my monthly assessment period. Is that correct? 

calcotti

NewburyVilla said: Let's say my capital is £5k and I get my monthly payment of £575. I'll then have a total amount of £5575. Lets just say for example I spend NOTHING that month (I wish lol), that £575 I was paid doesn't become capital until the end of my monthly assessment period. Is that correct? 

Correct. As previously advised.

calcotti said:...Any money left over at the end of the month the becomes capital. ..

Sallyp2

Hello was in similar situation to yourself. There is lots you can claim:

I have less than £6k in savings (£4.8k). I know having below £6k is fine & i will be receiving £575 per month. Obviously I'll need to pay for my own bills etc (phone, credit card, cat insurance  etc). But my question is about spending. Can I withdraw any leftover money (out of my £575pm)
-> Its your money, spend whatever is left as you want. NO need to keep receipts.

You are claiming Carers Allowance and Universal Credit? I hope so. UC gets uplifted with a carer premium but if you get paid CA they take that money off. TOP TIP, keep getting back the CA, even though the money is taken off UC. The CA credits uplift your state pension more!
-> On UC, then you get free NHS dental work.

Get a carers assessment, they are a bit naff, but you may be entitled to some help from council. We had a local charity who awarded carers £300 a year for "relief" treats, but the referral was only done via the council after the carers assessment. You can apply for council funding for care help. They will probably take the Attendance Allowance money though, but trust me the respite care is worth it. You will get exhuasted and need a proper break.

Also, where are you living? If you live with your mum, you will be entitles to council tax reduction. Your mum under SMI and you as a live in unpaid non professional carer. 

Make sure you have POA for health and finance in place, as well as a will. Get all three done together. You will need them.

calcotti

Sallyp2 said:

..keep getting back the CA, even though the money is taken off UC. The CA credits uplift your state pension more!

No they don’t. The Class 3 NI credits on UC have exactly the same impact on State Pension entitlement as the Class 1 Credits you get on CA. The Class 1 Credits on CA do however give entitlement to some other benefits if the need arises.