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Universal credit and voluntary activities
- Teddy
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3 years 1 week ago #268049 by Teddy
Universal credit and voluntary activities was created by Teddy
Hello this is my first time on here. I am really confused how to help my daughter who is disabled. I have just applied for universal credit for her because she has no income apart from PIP. She left college last year. She is 22. The GP gave her a fit note saying she is not able to work due to her physical disabilities and we have just been sent a form to fill in about her capability for work (UC50). I haven't helped her fill it in yet but I will do.
I am her full time carer but she does go to some activity groups which are for disabled adults. The groups do things like arts and crafts or cooking. Is this permitted if she is waiting for the work capability assessment to be done and has a fit note? I am worried maybe she is not allowed to be doing these if she says she is not able to work? But it would be very hard for her and for me if she has to just stay home all week. At the groups they can help her and support her and she can rest or come home if she can't manage.
One of the groups has a cafe and the lady who runs the group said my daughter might be able to help there for 2 hours each week as a volunteer. Would she be allowed to do that? Really I think they are doing it to boost her self esteem not because she would be able to do much work but I am worried now if she is not allowed to do that?
Any advice would be welcome, thank you.
I am her full time carer but she does go to some activity groups which are for disabled adults. The groups do things like arts and crafts or cooking. Is this permitted if she is waiting for the work capability assessment to be done and has a fit note? I am worried maybe she is not allowed to be doing these if she says she is not able to work? But it would be very hard for her and for me if she has to just stay home all week. At the groups they can help her and support her and she can rest or come home if she can't manage.
One of the groups has a cafe and the lady who runs the group said my daughter might be able to help there for 2 hours each week as a volunteer. Would she be allowed to do that? Really I think they are doing it to boost her self esteem not because she would be able to do much work but I am worried now if she is not allowed to do that?
Any advice would be welcome, thank you.
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- Gary
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3 years 1 week ago #268065 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic Universal credit and voluntary activities
Hi Teddy
Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is.
Welcome to Benefits and Work
Don't forget to use our guide to help you complete the WCA form (UC50), see link below.
There are two parts to the work capability assessment :-
The first part looks at whether you have 'limited capability for work' (LCW)
The second part looks at whether you have a 'limited capability for work related activity' (LCWRA)
There are two ways of passing the test
1 - you can score 15 or more points in the assessment
2 - You can be treated as satisfying the assessment without having to show that you score enough points.
In order to qualify for the LCWRA Group you will need to;
* meet one or more of the relevant descriptors, or
* meet one of the associated Exceptional Circumstances rules.
The LCWRA Group descriptors and the Exceptional Circumstances are listed in the Claiming ESA guides in the members area.
Universal Credit does not provide for 'permitted work'. If you are working , you can continue to claim universal credit as long as your earnings, and any other income you have, are less than a certain amount, calculated using the 'maximum amount' that applied in your case.
There is a guide to Permitted Work in our ESA/UC section, it is only 7 pages long but will answer most of the questions you may have. It is the second item down in blue writing when you click on the link.
Permitted work
If you have question then please come back to the forum.
Gary
Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is.
Welcome to Benefits and Work
Don't forget to use our guide to help you complete the WCA form (UC50), see link below.
There are two parts to the work capability assessment :-
The first part looks at whether you have 'limited capability for work' (LCW)
The second part looks at whether you have a 'limited capability for work related activity' (LCWRA)
There are two ways of passing the test
1 - you can score 15 or more points in the assessment
2 - You can be treated as satisfying the assessment without having to show that you score enough points.
In order to qualify for the LCWRA Group you will need to;
* meet one or more of the relevant descriptors, or
* meet one of the associated Exceptional Circumstances rules.
The LCWRA Group descriptors and the Exceptional Circumstances are listed in the Claiming ESA guides in the members area.
Universal Credit does not provide for 'permitted work'. If you are working , you can continue to claim universal credit as long as your earnings, and any other income you have, are less than a certain amount, calculated using the 'maximum amount' that applied in your case.
There is a guide to Permitted Work in our ESA/UC section, it is only 7 pages long but will answer most of the questions you may have. It is the second item down in blue writing when you click on the link.
Permitted work
If you have question then please come back to the forum.
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Teddy
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3 years 1 week ago #268076 by Teddy
Replied by Teddy on topic Universal credit and voluntary activities
Thank you for the reply - that is helpful to point me to the right factsheets. I think as she is on PIP (highest rates for care and mobility) and would not be earning anything at all the only issue is whether they would look at what she does and put her in a group saying she is able to work. Might not be worth it - I will maybe get her to leave it for now until we have had the assessment.
Does anyone know once we send the form in, how long it takes for them to call you for an assessment and how long it takes to get a decision? I read people say it takes over 6 months - is that right?
Does anyone know once we send the form in, how long it takes for them to call you for an assessment and how long it takes to get a decision? I read people say it takes over 6 months - is that right?
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- Gordon
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3 years 1 week ago #268079 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Universal credit and voluntary activities
Teddy
Be aware, unpaid work is not the same as volunteer work.
Gordon
Be aware, unpaid work is not the same as volunteer work.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Gary
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3 years 1 week ago #268082 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic Universal credit and voluntary activities
Hi Teddy
Sorry we cannot tell you how long it will take as it varies from area to area.
We have heard on the forum of it taking only a few weeks to many many months.
Gary
Sorry we cannot tell you how long it will take as it varies from area to area.
We have heard on the forum of it taking only a few weeks to many many months.
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Teddy
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- Teddy
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3 years 1 week ago #268083 by Teddy
Replied by Teddy on topic Universal credit and voluntary activities
Oh how can you tell the difference between unpaid and volunteer work? Is that explained somewhere? It was only the lady at the cafe saying she could help out "as a volunteer" for a couple of hours each week. To be honest it was just an initial conversation so I didn't get into the detail - I think the lady was offering as she thought it would be nice for my daughter to be "helping". I am not sure how official it would be.
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