claiming carer's allowance on uc
On Universal Credit, to be recognised as a carer and paid the extra element, have all work related requirements removed and be placed in the no work group then you need to be in receipt of carers element. That is the most important thing.
Image of carers element from a Universal Credit payment breakdown
Eligibility for carers element is quite simple and there is no earnings threshold rule (like carers allowance has). It cannot be paid if you are in receipt of LCWRA.
It is awarded where the claimant or their partner has ‘regular and substantial caring responsibilities’ for a ‘severely disabled person’.
If both you and your partner have a ‘regular and substantial’ caring responsibilities for a ‘severely disabled person’ then two lots of the ‘carer element’ may be included in the award provided you are not caring for the same person.
A person is treated as though they have ‘regular and substantial’ caring responsibilities for a ‘severely disabled person’ if they receive Carer’s Allowance (or an underlying entitlement to Carer’s Allowance) or would be entitled to Carer’s Allowance but for the fact that their earnings are too great or they would be entitled to Carer’s Allowance if they were to make a claim for it because they care for someone (who receives e.g. Attendance Allowance, DLA care component at the middle or higher rate or PIP daily living component) at least 35 hours per week.
It is awarded where the claimant or their partner has ‘regular and substantial caring responsibilities’ for a ‘severely disabled person’.
If both you and your partner have a ‘regular and substantial’ caring responsibilities for a ‘severely disabled person’ then two lots of the ‘carer element’ may be included in the award provided you are not caring for the same person.
A person is treated as though they have ‘regular and substantial’ caring responsibilities for a ‘severely disabled person’ if they receive Carer’s Allowance (or an underlying entitlement to Carer’s Allowance) or would be entitled to Carer’s Allowance but for the fact that their earnings are too great or they would be entitled to Carer’s Allowance if they were to make a claim for it because they care for someone (who receives e.g. Attendance Allowance, DLA care component at the middle or higher rate or PIP daily living component) at least 35 hours per week.
The big question always is - should I also claim carer's allowance and what happens if I do?
Well there is no requirement to claim Carer's Allowance which can make things very simple for the majority of people.
If you already claim carer's allowance then you are absolutely eligible for carers element. However the amount that you receive from carer's allowance will be deducted off your Universal Credit payment each month on a monthly average basis. For 2019/2020, this is a deduction of £286.65 per month.
If you don't already claim it and you think you are eligible for it then you have a decision to make whether you wish to claim or not.
There are some advantages to claiming carer's allowance -
If you are eligible and do decide to apply for Carer's Allowance and request a backdate, then any back pay paid to you covering the same time as you were on Universal Credit will be treated as an over payment by Universal Credit. You will be notified of overpayment decision on your journal and deductions will be made in line with the allowed rules.
Well there is no requirement to claim Carer's Allowance which can make things very simple for the majority of people.
If you already claim carer's allowance then you are absolutely eligible for carers element. However the amount that you receive from carer's allowance will be deducted off your Universal Credit payment each month on a monthly average basis. For 2019/2020, this is a deduction of £286.65 per month.
If you don't already claim it and you think you are eligible for it then you have a decision to make whether you wish to claim or not.
There are some advantages to claiming carer's allowance -
- Carer's Allowance entitles you to class 1 national insurance credits, whereas Universal Credit only entitles you to class 2 national insurance credits.
- You will receive a £10 Christmas bonus.
- You can opt to have your Carer's Allowance paid weekly - 2019/2020 rate is £66.15 per week.
- If you are living in someone else's home as a non-dependant, if you are in receipt of Carer's Allowance, then there will no non-dependant deduction made to their housing element.
If you are eligible and do decide to apply for Carer's Allowance and request a backdate, then any back pay paid to you covering the same time as you were on Universal Credit will be treated as an over payment by Universal Credit. You will be notified of overpayment decision on your journal and deductions will be made in line with the allowed rules.