Need benefit advice

indie · 12 January 2023 at 11:32AM

If someone could help with advice I would be grateful.
I have worked for an agency for 7 years, and work was plentiful until November. I know things go quiet before Christmas but I only had 1 shift in the last month. I could look for a full time job but am 64 and have been told I have COPD. I don't know if anyone will take me on, I am a carer and have to wear a mask for the shifts I have just got my appointment through for the respiratory clinic for this month to see how my lung function is. Can I claim a benefit whilst waiting for work to pick up, if so what benefit would I be entitled to if any.. I have been looking on the benefit site but found it difficult to find what suited my situation.
Thanks for reading.

poppy12345 · 12 January 2023 at 11:41AM

If you're looking for work the New style JSA can be claimed, you'll need to have the correct NI contributions in tax years 2020/21 and 2021/22. It's paid for 6 months. However, if you're working then there's only a £5/week disregard for earnings and your JSA will be reduced £1 for £1.

If your health condition limits your capability to work then you can claim New style ESA with a fit note but if you work 16 hours or more per week then you won't be able to claim.

Universal Credit is a means tested benefit and if you live with a partner you'll need to claim as a couple. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming. Entitlement will be based on your joint circumstances. You can report your health condition if it limits your capability for work and send in a fit note within 7 days of that. Providing you don't receive earnings of more than 16xNMW per week then you'll be referred for a work capability assessment.

Have you also considered taking a look at PIP? It's a disability benefit paid to those that have a health condition that affects their daily life against the PIP descriptors. It's not means tested so other income will not affect the amount you maybe entitled to. Some information here. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Migrated_Documents/adviceguide/pip-9-table-of-activities-descriptors-and-points.pdf