UC, Carers Allowance, starting work

Crystal16

My husband and I are a mixed aged couple currently receiving state pension and pip, high rate for both  (husband),  I get carers allowance and we also get uc with lcwra

I have been offered a job for 16 hours a week which I could manage.  I know I would have to end my carers allowance claim..  I wanted to know if the standard figure before adjustments below will stay the same, obviously not taking into account the job I may take up.

From our uc statement...

Standard Allowance 525.72
Housing 393.33
Carer 168.81
Disability or Health  Condition 354.28

Total before adjustments 1442.14

Taken off for unearned income (benefits) 1104.35  this being husbands pension and my carers allowance monthly

UC payment 337.79

If I do take the job do I just report the changes through my uc journal.

Thanks.

poppy12345

Yes your maximum entitlement (before deductions) will stay the same. You will have the work allowance of £344 per month, which means you can earn that amount before the 55% deductions for earnings apply.

Yes, you will need to report a change of circumstances if you start working.

Crystal16

Thank you poppy, that's good to know xxx

calcotti

So, counter intuitively, although you will be earning more than you received from CA your UC income will likely increase because you will only have an earnings deduction of 55% of the amount in excess of £344 whereas before your Carer's Allowance was deducted in full.

Crystal16

Hi again,

I've decided to take the job.  The first two weeks I will be working 10hrs per week.  I start on 4th May so will inform uc on that date.  After the first two weeks I could be working between 10 and 20 hours per week so I was going to stop my carers allowance claim once the hours change in work.  I was wondering should I just bite the bullet and end my carers allowance claim from 4th May, would that make things simpler.

I was also wondering because my hours will differ week to week do I have to inform uc every week of the different hours worked  I'm new to all this so in a bit of a dither at what best to do.

Thanks..

Crystal16

calcotti said:

So, counter intuitively, although you will be earning more than you received from CA your UC income will likely increase because you will only have an earnings deduction of 55% of the amount in excess of £344 whereas before your Carer's Allowance was deducted in full.

Thanks calcotti so it would make more sense to end my CA sooner rather than later

poppy12345

Ending your Carers Allowance will make no difference to your overall maximum benefit entitlement anyway because the CA is deducted in full from your UC entitlement. You will continue to receive the Carers element in your UC maximum entitlement.

No, you do not need to report the changes everytime your hours change because they will see your earnings when they check RTI because your employer will report your earnings to HMRC.

Crystal16

As always thank you poppy.  I think I will end my carers allowance because as you say it makes no difference to the overall amount of benefit.  

NedS

Crystal16 said:

As always thank you poppy.  I think I will end my carers allowance because as you say it makes no difference to the overall amount of benefit.  

When you end it, just be sure to tell them that the reason is that you are starting work and likely to have earnings that exceed the limits - not that you've stopped caring

Crystal16

NedS said:

Crystal16 said:

As always thank you poppy.  I think I will end my carers allowance because as you say it makes no difference to the overall amount of benefit.  

When you end it, just be sure to tell them that the reason is that you are starting work and likely to have earnings that exceed the limits - not that you've stopped caring

Will do, thanks xxx

Crystal16

Hi again,  I closed my claim for  CA on 29th April I done this online and got a confirmation email.  I reported a change of circumstances through UC about starting work and also left a note in my journal explaining everything and stating I still have caring responsibilities.

I have just logged into my UC and the payment for this month is exactly as the breakdown above, still showing I am receiving CA.  My assessment  date for UC is 18th to 17th of every month.  My first wages will be paid on 26th of every month  I have worked 60 hours this month.

I would appreciate your help in the best way to resolve this problem, should I give them a ring or leave another note in my journal, its seems UC have taken no notice to any changes or anything I have written in my journal

Thanks.