UC & LCWRA ISSUE

Coldstreamer1650

Good afternoon this might be a bit longwinded but here goes.

I claimed for UC in Jan 2025 and was awarded £115 due to having a private pension, I gave up work due to ill health and was awarded LCWRA in April 2025 and PiP lower rate in May 2025 now extended to May 2028, last week I was informed by the DWP that there had been a change in circumstances since my initial claim in Jan 25 ( their hasn't been), they have now said that I need to make a joint claim with my ex wife of 18 years who offered me a room at no charge ( as she is mortgage free) to stop me being homeless, I have stayed here since 2022 since my family home had to given up due to my mum going into assisted living, I at the time was working away four night per week and only stayed at my ex wifes at weekends prior to going back to work on the Monday. I gave up work in December 2023 and lived off my savings prior to claiming in UC etc January 2025, I am registered disabled now, we do not have joint savings, loans, bank accounts, ISA's or anything jointly yet the DWP have wrongly assumed we are a couple, we live separate lives and do the menial jobs separately i.e. washing and laundry ourselves, eat at different times due to my dietary requirements. I have been to Citizens advice and they say I need to raise a Mandatory Reconsideration appeal now ( I have done via my journal on Monday 10th August they did not pay me UC or LCWRA on that day too), which I mentioned to them), I said to Citizens Advice do I not wait until the decision letter, they said no they've already made the decision by stopping your money. I am furious and cannot afford the loss I am scared that despite the DWP themselves stating I am unfit for for work they will force me to do something I simply cannot do now. Where do I stand,

born_again

Who informed them that you moved in with EX Wife?

Coldstreamer1650

I don't think it's a case of that more likely that HMRC & DWP has cross checked as they do periodically. The money she receives is half of all utility bills Council Tax ( she does not get a reduction even with me being disabled) Gas, Electric, Water, internet not cable or sky. But DWP are aware and have been since initial claim submitted January 25. In addition when you fill a UC form in it does not allow you to elaborate on living conditions, only box ticking living with friends or family.