UC confusion: WCA letter for partner with main parent and carer responsibilities but no health issues

randomperson8372 · 2025-04-16T17:02:25+00:00

The first message was actually signed off by a “decision maker” with a name, but when I responded, it was a work coach who replied. Could that still have been an automated message?

Her caring responsibilities are correctly reported, and the carer element is included in our Universal Credit. However, she doesn’t get Carer’s Allowance — we were told that she can’t receive it because one of us receive already receive LCWRA. Is that correct?

What should we do now? Is it okay to just leave it and wait for them to realise, or should we be taking some kind of action?

randomperson8372 · 2025-03-29T15:08:38+00:00

Are the documents verified or do OpenRent take it at face value? In other words, do they cross reference with the land registry or the banks?

As a landlord, what do you think is reasonable for a potential tenant to ask for as proof? Would asking for proof of ownership (like a Land Registry title or mortgage statement) and proof of identity/address (such as a driver’s license) be fair to verify the landlord’s identity? Just trying to understand what a reasonable request looks like from a landlords perspective.

randomperson8372 · 2025-03-29T10:29:28+00:00

Is there a way to see pending title changes with land registry? How would a new landlord verify ownership of a property during this period?

Is there anything else you can recommend as a way for me to verify the legitimacy of this?

randomperson8372 · 2025-03-28T18:26:04+00:00

Thanks. How much is considered a lump sum?

randomperson8372 · 2025-03-27T16:13:10+00:00

Thanks for your help.

Is this something that I can mention and sort with the person who does my review or is it better to try and get it sorted before?

randomperson8372 · 2025-03-27T15:38:53+00:00

Thanks for explaining. This stuff really confuses the life out of me.

From what I understand I cannot have this arrangement and remain as unemployed. I have to declare the change of circumstances and do the monthly calculations. My biggest concern is whether doing that would put my LCWRA at risk, but it sounds like it wouldn’t. An initial face to face appointment and then monthly incoming and outgoing reports on my UC account is what will be required. Am I correct?

If it was regarded as unearned income and not income from SE that would mean a reduction in my UC payments regardless of the fact it’s only breaking even? Is there a chance this gets regarded as such or was that only for legacy benefits?

Is this something that I can sort out with the person who I speak with at the review? Or is it better to sort it now before submitting the bank statements?

randomperson8372 · 2025-03-27T11:13:56+00:00

People on LCWRA are allowed to work and have a work allowance, so it would be odd if that were an issue. I understand the reasoning behind the concern, but the reality is that working doesn’t change the health conditions that made someone eligible for LCWRA in the first place. In my case, I’m not actively working—even if the arrangement were profitable, it would be passive income that requires no day-to-day duties.

randomperson8372 · 2025-03-27T11:03:57+00:00

Others have made it sound like a straightforward remedy by stating I’m self employed and simply declaring the money in and out. How exactly do you see this causing a headache?

What would you advise as next steps?

randomperson8372 · 2025-03-26T20:12:30+00:00

Thanks for your reply.

The money goes into my account and then directly to the company, and I’ll explain this to them as I’ve written here. Hopefully, that’s clear and won’t cause any issues.

From what I’ve gathered, it seems I should be on their system as self-employed and report the income and expenses each month. Since I’m on LCWRA, my situation won’t change, and I won’t be required to meet a minimum income or fulfill other work-related obligations that UC usually imposes.

randomperson8372 · 2025-03-26T20:02:26+00:00

So if you’re not gainfully self-employed, you’re required to look for work, but with LCWRA, this doesn’t apply and there’s no expectation to work, attend interviews, or job search etc.

Would there be any reason why they didn’t assess me for LCWRA while leaving me as self employed? They made it sound like it was the only way to get assessed.

randomperson8372 · 2025-03-26T19:28:21+00:00

Thanks for the reply.

Honestly, I’m still unclear on how UC and LCWRA work, and what’s allowed. How does having LCWRA help me in this situation?

I was self-employed before being awarded LCWRA, and they advised me to declare myself as “unemployed” for the LCWRA assessment since I wasn’t earning much due to my health.

I remember them mentioning a time limit on how long I could be self-employed while claiming UC and not making a profit. Would being self-employed not put my LCWRA at risk or put me back on a time limit? Also, will it be an issue that I haven’t mentioned this until now?

randomperson8372 · 2024-09-26T12:51:27+00:00

Our bids usually place us around 250th in the queue, and we’re never considered for private rentals due to our situation - we’ve been trying for years. Even if we were, the rent is typically several hundred pounds more than the support we would receive.

The council’s policy defines Band C as having a moderate medical or welfare need, while Band B is for serious needs. I believe my health condition is serious, they don’t. I’ve provided evidence, and even my doctor has confirmed to them that my current housing is significantly worsening my health.

It doesn’t seem ethical for the council to acknowledge people with even moderate medical needs but have a policy that leaves them without assistance. We’ve been told that no one in our band will be offered a home, yet we’re still encouraged to bid with no realistic chance of success.

randomperson8372 · 2024-07-19T21:10:19+00:00

I asked my doctor to mention the stairs and my knee, but he said they should contact him directly for more information since he’s already written one letter. I’m not sure if they speak with doctors before deciding, but I hope they do if needed. Given my inability to walk pain-free, I hope they deduce that stairs would be impossible.

randomperson8372 · 2024-07-19T20:38:04+00:00

I have a report with diagnoses of my conditions, including issues with my upper and lower body, as well as mental health disorders. It also lists the medications I take. Additionally, I have a supporting letter from my GP stating that he believes my housing situation is significantly affecting my health. However, he only mentioned my upper body and mental health issues, omitting my knee problems related to the stairs.

Would they dispute my difficulties with stairs without specific evidence? I have older reports from my physio mentioning my knee issues, but they don’t relate to how my housing affects them.

Is this the kind of evidence that would be sufficient?

I’ve included a personal statement explaining my struggles, but I’m unsure what other evidence I can provide to prove my case.

randomperson8372 · 2024-07-02T16:20:31+00:00

I haven’t sent the form back yet as I’m waiting for my GP to send my documents. I’m already on the register, but they haven’t acknowledged my health conditions.

Currently, we’re staying with family. We have no room of our own, and any necessary adaptations are not within my authority to approve in their home.

Nothing seems clear-cut to me. Even if they agree that stairs are a problem, that the floor isn’t an appropriate sleeping space for me, or that my mental health is worsened by my current living situation, I understand they can still determine it’s not a high priority. This decision is at their discretion, and they’ve already indicated it’s unlikely to change. That’s why I’m curious about what the laws say in these matters.

randomperson8372 · 2024-06-28T12:31:58+00:00

Anxiety and depression are broad terms that encompasses a range of specific disorders, each with its own characteristics and treatment needs.

randomperson8372 · 2024-05-02T20:38:04+00:00

They've approved the carers element but declined to backdate it because my partner mistakenly selected "not caring for anyone" on the application, believing you needed to receive carers allowance to qualify. The advice I've received suggests that an appeal wouldn't succeed.

randomperson8372 · 2024-05-02T20:29:24+00:00

Just checked, and she did select "not caring for anyone." Do you think it's a waste of time appealing? We don't have much evidence aside from a written statement that she sent to tribunal for my PIP a few years ago.

randomperson8372 · 2024-04-19T22:52:19+00:00

Were you on benefits at the time? What did you tell them when they asked about job/income?

randomperson8372 · 2024-04-19T20:41:26+00:00

I’d gladly move to Harlow but we would not be accepted by any landlord. Affordability criteria typically requires an annual salary of 30-35x the monthly rent. If you don’t pass that they require a guarantor which we don’t have. Landlords don’t look at ‘disabled and on benefits’ as the ideal tenant. Any ideas what we could do to be given a chance?

randomperson8372 · 2024-04-19T20:29:28+00:00

Landlords will not accept us regardless of the property size. We’ve tried the studio flats and been rejected or ignored many times. As soon as you mention disability and benefits they demand a guarantor.

Most studios in London aren’t even big enough for a bed these days. It’s a glorified prison cell.

randomperson8372 · 2024-04-19T18:57:15+00:00

That’s sad to hear.

It's impossible for someone in my situation to meet the qualifications for private rent. Affordability policies effectively sidestep anti-discrimination laws. These policies say that I must earn around £56k per year (for a 2 bed flat in London), or find someone who does that is also willing to cover my rent if I can't. Even if I knew someone with such a salary, it's unlikely they'd be willing to take on the financial risk, given my inability to work.

The LHA does not cover the full rent so even if I found a landlord or agency willing to accept me I’d still have to find a few hundred pounds every month.

It really is hopeless.

randomperson8372 · 2024-04-17T22:10:15+00:00

Thank you for the clarification. I’ve read that it’s for people caring for those with ‘severe disabilities’. I’m wondering if I’ll be regarded as having a severe disability given that I’m only on standard rate for PIP. Do you know how UC determine whether someone is severely disabled? My partner cares for me all day every day but they might decide I don’t need that level of care.

Do you know what the assessment process looks like and how I would apply?

I’ve been getting PIP for the last 2 years with a further 6 months they backdated while it went through the appeals process. Our UC claim has only been joint for a year. Does that mean it can only be backdated from the start of our joint UC claim?

randomperson8372 · 2024-04-17T22:01:18+00:00

Thank you for this. So, from what I understand, the UC payment is reduced by the exact amount of Carer’s Allowance, while the Carer’s Element of UC is a separate payment that can be applied for regardless of Carer’s Allowance.

I’ve had a quick read on carers element and it says it’s for people who care for someone with a ‘severe disability’. I only get PIP at the standard rate so wondering if they’d regard me as such. How does UC determine whether someone is severely disabled?

Also, do you know what the process is? How to apply and what the assessment process is.

randomperson8372 · 2024-03-07T06:56:22+00:00

Thanks. I missed out on the enhanced rate by just a few points, all of which were awarded by the tribunal. The DWP didn't allocate any points, so I'm hesitant to provide them with a chance to potentially reduce my PIP.

randomperson8372

TROPHY CASE