Will I be expected to look for more work?

Marsha2007

I am currently receiving carers, caring for my disabled husband. I work 7 hours a week. I've had a promotion, so will now be working 18hrs, which means I will be over the threshold for carers. Will DWP expect me to look for more work now I'm not claiming carers. The 18hrs is good as I can still use the rest of the time in caring for him, but this job may lead to full time hours and more promotion in the future.

Years ago when my husband was moved from DLA to PIP he was moved onto the lower rates and we therfore lost the carers. We took it to tribunal (which he won) but in between he received an income related top up to his Contribution ESA. I was also told to attend work focused interviews, which I did twice. 

I've just had this crazy thought that now I won't be receiving carers, but still only on part time hours I will have to attend these again/look for more work. This is the first time in years where my husband will be left to fend for himself for more than a couple of hours (he's registered blind with other health conditions) and now has a guide dog. We're hoping this is the first step to regaining some independence,  but I don't think he's ready for me to work full time yet.

Thanks for any advice

huckster

You don't state what benefit you are on currently that you are worried about. Is this Universal Credit ?

If you are still noted as carer on the relevant benefit, then it should not require you to search for work.
.

Marsha2007

No, not on UC. My husband is on ESA contribution and PIP. I'm currently on Carers and receive Child Tax Credits. On the increased hours I'll lose the carers but will hopefully receive working tax credits alongside the CTC. We also receive Housing benefit. I assume I'll still be entitled to the carers, just won't receive anything due to being over the weekly threshold. 

Marsha2007

I have to admit I am worrying slightly that I will be worse off by taking this increase in hours. I've put it all into the benefit calculators and I think we work out just about even, but then I worry that something unexpected will be taken into account (I'm a bit of a worrier!) 

This is a good move for me with prospects for future advancement. My son is on his last year at school so at some point we will be worse off losing CTC and child benefit, I'm trying to prempt this loss now rather than then. I know this may mean struggling initially but I hope it will work out better in the long run. I don't want to be on income based benefits forever, although i know my husband will be on his disability benefits as things will not change.

I will still be caring for my husband, so don't want to work full time yet until we're sure than he can manage on his own for longer periods of time, or if we need to get someone in to help him. 

Sorry if this is long winded. Lots going on in my mind. Excited to start a new job, worried about the unknown in finances!

NedS

No, DWP will not require you to look for more work as you are not claiming any work related benefits.

Since you are now working and no longer able to claim Carers Allowance, you may wish to do a benefits calculation (see entitledto.co.uk) to see if you would be better off claiming UC as a couple once your Tax Credits end.

calcotti

Marsha2007 said:

 I assume I'll still be entitled to the carers, just won't receive anything due to being over the weekly threshold. 

When you breach the threshold you will need to inform Carer's Allowance and your claim will be closed.

calcotti

NedS said:..you may wish to do a benefits calculation (see entitledto.co.uk) to see if you would be better off claiming UC as a couple once your Tax Credits end.

Agree with Ned, you should do a UC check. It may be worth more than Tax Credits (it may not), For UC you would get the standard couple allowance, the LCWRA element because your husband is in ESA Support Group, you can claim the carer element, the housing element (to replace Housing Benefit) and child element (to replace  Child Tax Credits. His ESA will be deducted in full and there will be a deduction of 55% of earnings above £344/month. As a carer you would have no work requirements. 

Marsha2007

Why would his ESA be deducted? Or do you mean it'll be not taken into account for working out of income?

calcotti

Marsha2007 said:

Why would his ESA be deducted? Or do you mean it'll be not taken into account for working out of income?

Because that's what the rules say. Any benefit income other than disability benefits (DLA or PIP) is deducted in full as unearned income.

Can you clarify, in one post he said he was getting income based ESA and in another he said contribution based ESA. If UC is claimed any income based ESA stops. 

Marsha2007

He received an income related top up to his Contribution ESA when I wasn't getting carers. When the carers resumed, that along with my wages for 7 hours stopped the IR top up. He just gets Contribution ESA now. I send my wage slips to ESA every 4-6 months, when they ask for them.

calcotti

Marsha2007 said:

He received an income related top up to his Contribution ESA when I wasn't getting carers. When the carers resumed, that along with my wages for 7 hours stopped the IR top up. 

That's how I read it but just wanted to be clear.