Hobbies and LCWRA Universal Credit

nbw44

I get the LCWRA element of Universal Credit as I have some severe mental health issues, and I find creative hobbies help me cope (when I’m having good days and able to do things) as they keep me busy and having a final product helps with a sense of accomplishment. I’ve been encouraged to try selling some of the things I make, as people have expressed interest in them. Would this count as work related activity if it’s something I use to help manage my health? I won’t be making any profits from it, but I don’t know if it would still count? 

Thank you in advance!  

Spoonie_Turtle

nbw44 said:

I get the LCWRA element of Universal Credit as I have some severe mental health issues, and I find creative hobbies help me cope (when I’m having good days and able to do things) as they keep me busy and having a final product helps with a sense of accomplishment. I’ve been encouraged to try selling some of the things I make, as people have expressed interest in them. Would this count as work related activity if it’s something I use to help manage my health? I won’t be making any profits from it, but I don’t know if it would still count? 

Thank you in advance!  

In what context are you concerned about this?

LCWRA means the Jobcentre can't expect you to do anything work-related, it doesn't mean you're not allowed to do anything work-related.  In theory people with LCWRA can even work, if they find a suitable job.  It just means the Jobcentre can't expect or pressure them into doing anything in case it's bad for their health.

nbw44

Spoonie_Turtle said:

nbw44 said:

I get the LCWRA element of Universal Credit as I have some severe mental health issues, and I find creative hobbies help me cope (when I’m having good days and able to do things) as they keep me busy and having a final product helps with a sense of accomplishment. I’ve been encouraged to try selling some of the things I make, as people have expressed interest in them. Would this count as work related activity if it’s something I use to help manage my health? I won’t be making any profits from it, but I don’t know if it would still count? 

Thank you in advance!  

In what context are you concerned about this?

LCWRA means the Jobcentre can't expect you to do anything work-related, it doesn't mean you're not allowed to do anything work-related.  In theory people with LCWRA can even work, if they find a suitable job.  It just means the Jobcentre can't expect or pressure them into doing anything in case it's bad for their health.

I’m concerned they’ll view my being able to do this as me being able to work, and that I’ll therefore lose the LCWRA element of my UC. I can’t afford to not get that, and the selling stuff won’t bring any income in to replace it. 

Sorry for not explaining myself very well, I should have explained that better. Thank you for getting back to me  

tomtom256

You would only lose it, if what you did contradicted what you had declared and following a reassessment.

Spoonie_Turtle

nbw44 said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

nbw44 said:

I get the LCWRA element of Universal Credit as I have some severe mental health issues, and I find creative hobbies help me cope (when I’m having good days and able to do things) as they keep me busy and having a final product helps with a sense of accomplishment. I’ve been encouraged to try selling some of the things I make, as people have expressed interest in them. Would this count as work related activity if it’s something I use to help manage my health? I won’t be making any profits from it, but I don’t know if it would still count? 

Thank you in advance!  

In what context are you concerned about this?

LCWRA means the Jobcentre can't expect you to do anything work-related, it doesn't mean you're not allowed to do anything work-related.  In theory people with LCWRA can even work, if they find a suitable job.  It just means the Jobcentre can't expect or pressure them into doing anything in case it's bad for their health.

I’m concerned they’ll view my being able to do this as me being able to work, and that I’ll therefore lose the LCWRA element of my UC. I can’t afford to not get that, and the selling stuff won’t bring any income in to replace it. 

Sorry for not explaining myself very well, I should have explained that better. Thank you for getting back to me  

Understandable, but you don't need to worry.  As long as it fits with your reasons for claiming LCWRA then you're fine. 

In fact the existence of the work allowance (an amount of money you are able to earn that is disregarded before they start taking deductions) for people with LCW/RA is partly an acknowledgement that people may be able to do some sort of activities but not necessarily a full-time job, so we're allowed to earn a bit extra without the worry of whether we can sustain it or the worry that it will affect our benefits.

You should really declare it when you earn a little bit, but I don't know quite how you go about that whilst making it clear you don't have a job - hopefully some others here will be able to help with that.