Uc/elderly person

pope

When applying for UC do you have to tell them about a elderly parent also living in the house who does not work on state pension. No housing costs involved? 

Brie

I was under the impression that UC is based on the household so the elderly person's SP would count as income into the household.  Of course then there are the expenses of the elderly person that also need to be taken into account so it's likely to all balance out.  You might be able to justify higher than average heating costs.  There will also be the fact that there's more food to buy, water being used etc.

Newcad

Yes they ask who lives with you.

With no housing costs involved then it won't make any difference, if you were paying rent then they might be expected to make a contribution so UC Housing Element might be reduced.

Does the elderly parent have PIP/DLA, Attendance Allowance, etc.
If they do and you are caring for the elderly person for more than 35 hrs a week care then say so when applying, that should then entitle you to extra money for that caring and remove any jobsearch conditionality for you.

pope

Newcad said:

Yes they ask who lives with you.

With no housing costs involved then it won't make any difference, if you were paying rent then they might be expected to make a contribution so UC Housing Element might be reduced.

Does the elderly parent have PIP/DLA, Attendance Allowance, etc.
If they do and you are caring for the elderly person for more than 35 hrs a week care then say so when applying, that should then entitle you to extra money for that caring and remove any jobsearch conditionality for you.

The elderly person does get pip but I do not care for him. Do I need to do change of circumstances and tell UC about him because at the moment in my portal it says no other people living with me?

marcia_

Brie said:

I was under the impression that UC is based on the household so the elderly person's SP would count as income into the household.  Of course then there are the expenses of the elderly person that also need to be taken into account so it's likely to all balance out.  You might be able to justify higher than average heating costs.  There will also be the fact that there's more food to buy, water being used etc.

 Household is spouse/partner and children. Other adults living in the home are a separate household. 

freesha

marcia_ said:

Brie said:

I was under the impression that UC is based on the household so the elderly person's SP would count as income into the household.  Of course then there are the expenses of the elderly person that also need to be taken into account so it's likely to all balance out.  You might be able to justify higher than average heating costs.  There will also be the fact that there's more food to buy, water being used etc.

 Household is spouse/partner and children. Other adults living in the home are a separate household. 

Correct, but if there is UC housing element in payment, then there could be a non-dependent deduction for them as they are expected to contribute towards the rent.

pope

So do I need to inform UC about the elderly person living with me he is not part of my claim just living with me I don't charge him rent and I do not have housing costs involved for my self. 

If I do change of circumstances will UC follow this up with a phone call,letter?

Newcad

Always a tricky one, because you don't want to possibly open a can of worms by reporting things unnecessarily.

Whilst you are supposed to report such changes is it really necessary if it doesn't affect your benefits?

Personally I'd say report it and if they ask more questions then answer.

If you don't tell them and someone at DWP queries it later then the questions may be more awkward to answer.

In the end the DWP want to check for themselves if any change affects your benefits or not, better to do that now than later when things may not be as clear.

pope

Newcad said:

Always a tricky one, because you don't want to possibly open a can of worms by reporting things unnecessarily.

Whilst you are supposed to report such changes is it really necessary if it doesn't affect your benefits?

Personally I'd say report it and if they ask more questions then answer.

If you don't tell them and someone at DWP queries it later then the questions may be more awkward to answer.

In the end the DWP want to check for themselves if any change affects your benefits or not, better to do that now than later when things may not be as clear.

I think you are correct because even though he is not part of my household and nothing to do with me. The DWP already know that he lives at the address because of his state pension and Pip. Also the local council are aware that he is living at the address. 

I am going to report it to them I only put in my claim for UC a few days ago so it has not been long. At the end of the day he is a 75 year old man who is retired.

Newcad

pope said:

The DWP already know that he lives at the address because of his state pension and Pip. Also the local council are aware that he is living at the address.

That's a common misconception/misunderstanding.

The DWP is not that 'joined up' to share such information between different benefits.

Each benefit is it's own departnent of the DWP, particularly pensions, and they don't automatically share what they know.

So to be sure then you have to tell each benefit you claim about any changes

pope

Newcad said:

pope said:

The DWP already know that he lives at the address because of his state pension and Pip. Also the local council are aware that he is living at the address.

That's a common misconception/misunderstanding.

The DWP is not that 'joined up' to share such information between different benefits.

Each benefit is it's own departnent of the DWP, particularly pensions, and they don't automatically share what they know.

So to be sure then you have to tell each benefit you claim about any changes

To be on the safe side and if UC quiry later on who this person is living with me I have done a change of circumstances other people who live with me and told UC about the elderly parent change I have put the same date as when I applied for UC a few days ago. 

I thought there was going to be a box at the end like (extra information) were I could explain the situation but there wasn't. 

Should I send them a message in the journal and explain or should I just leave it ? I hope they don't come back to me bombarding me with questions.