information on universal credit

evouguelad

need some information my sister works 15 hrs per week due to heart condition she did work full time but lostt her job due to ill health she earns £430 per month after deductions and was awarded middle rate of pip due to her health she applied for universal credit and because she works 15 hrs per week she was awarded £56.00 per month for universal credit our of this she has to pay £220.00 per month for rent as its split and half of council tax as well as half water rates she don't drive as she isn't allowed to because of health issues even her medication she has to pay for this which she takes over 12 tablets a day she has tried to see if there is any more help for her but universal credit says that's all she is entitled to she is expected to pay all her bills out of this does anyone have advice tbh she has applied for jobs light duties but it seems because of her health nobody seems to want to employ her she is 53 years old always worked full time up to 2 years ago when she was dismissed after 16 years 

Rubyroobs

If her health condition means she is limited in how many hours she can work , then she needs to report her health condition to UC, hand in fit notes and wait to be assessed for limited capability for work. Depending on the results of that assessment, she may then be awarded extra money on her claim or even if only awarded LCW, she would be better off by having a work allowance on her claim meaning most of her earnings would be disregarded before deductions for earnings come off her UC amount. As she is already receiving PIP, it does not matter how many hours she currently works, she can be assessed.

peteuk

No such thing as middle rate PIP only standard and enhanced…for daily living and mobility.

I prepaid prescription card (£109 for a year) will save money on prescriptions and she could look at the possibility of an exemption card (due to UC, I’m not 100% sure of the qualifying criteria)
 

calcotti

Your amount of UC seems low given the level of earnings. Can you check if she is claiming help with her rent through UC.

Advice from Rubyroobs regarding declaring health condition is also crucial.

Spoonie_Turtle

peteuk said:

I prepaid prescription card (£109 for a year) will save money on prescriptions and she could look at the possibility of an exemption card (due to UC, I’m not 100% sure of the qualifying criteria)
 

That's a good point, the free prescriptions earnings threshold goes up with LCW/RA too.

calcotti said:

Advice from Spoonie regarding declaring health condition is also crucial.

(Wasn't me, it was Roobyroobs )

calcotti

Spoonie_Turtle said:.

(Wasn't me, it was Roobyroobs  

Now corrected.

HillStreetBlues

evouguelad said:

she has to pay £220.00 per month for rent as its split and half of council tax as well as half water rates

Who is it split with?