Pension/universal credit question

Tink660

My husband had a universal credit claim which was a joint claim as per UC rules. My husband reached state pension age in March and I do not reach it until 2026. We were told that we would continue to get UC instead of state pension for my husband because of this.  However when it came to September and the last week in which the £300 winter fuel allowance could be claimed they withdrew UC which was replaced by State pension. We tried to apply for pension credit but were told we could only claim if both of us were of pension age. I care for both my husband who is on palliative care and my son who has disabilities and the only amount I receive in my own right is £81.90 carers allowance. 

I recently went for an eye test and was told that as I no longer jointly claim UC I had to pay for my glasses. I cannot see that this is fair or reasonable. Any advice please?

kaMelo

Your husband won't receive UC instead of his state pension, he would receive his state pension which should have been paid from March, this would be deducted in full from your UC claim. This may or may not zero your UC claim depending upon your circumstances.

As you were told, pension credit is only possible when both of you have reached state pension credit age.

Rubyroobs

It's likely that the state pension and the carers allowance are now wiping out the Universal credit claim as they are both deducted in full. Please check you had the LCWRA element and carers elements on your UC claim.

Tink660

Yes we did have LCWRA. Carers was paid separately

Rubyroobs

Tink660 said:

Yes we did have LCWRA. Carers was paid separately

Have you also got the carers element listed on your Uc claim? This is different from carers allowance.

Tink660

No carers element

kaMelo

Just doing some calculations, (assuming your husband has a full state pension of £221.20 pw)

Standard UC Allowance:  £617.60 
LCWRA:                           £416.19
Carers Element:               £198.31  (I know you said you don't get this but you should qualify for this element so have included it for calculation purposes)
Total UC Award                £1,303.49

Deductions

State Pension                  £958.53

Carers Allowance            £354.90

Total                                £1,313.43

Based on those figures, if the state pension figure is correct then even with the carers element added, your deductions for income zero your UC claim.
Do you qualify for any other elements of UC, how old is your son and do you claim any help for housing?  

If not then unfortunately what has happened appears correct, your UC claim was closed after six assessment periods of a nil award.(March - September)