Better off not claiming Carers Allowance

Horseunderwater

Working out the figures while in hospital after having my DLA upgraded to MRCare - I realised that if we claimed the above we would be £5/week better off, but by not claiming CA we would be £27.15/week better off.
I just wanted to let others know.

nannytone_2

how have you worked that out?
to give an answer, a lot more information is needed.
are you single/couple?
do you rent or own?
social housing on priovate? ( if rented)
other benefits?
income related or contributions based?

Horseunderwater

Hi NT - Not needing help on this - just posted for info. Thanks

nannytone_2

can you explain the scenario as i dont understand the large difference involved in claiming ca and not claiming ca

Horseunderwater

OK - we get IR ESA £171.80/week & I get MRC/HRM DLA £111.20/week = £283.00.
If OH claims CA - that gets deducted from my ESA
/ adding the CP of £34.20 = £144.65 + DLA = £255.85 which is £27.15 better off. The £32.90 is diff between LRC - MRC my boob. Will edit orig post.

nannytone_2

but you havent added the carers allowance in!
you will get ....
carers allowanxe o
ESA minus the carers allowance ( so the exact same amount you get now)
PLUS
the carers premium.
and your DLA.
you will gain the amount of the carers premium each week

Horseunderwater

So why does it come out at £144.95 in the benefits calculator?
Does the CP not show up in that? Surely if you deduct £61.35 from my ESA then add on £34.20 CP it comes to the above amount?
Now I'm confused, because if DWP paid my carer the £61.35 which is income & DWP deduct that from my ESA then give me back £34.20 CP - I still get the same figure stated above - not £171.80 + £34.20 + £111.20.

allen35

You currently receive £171.80 ESA(S) and £111.20 DLA gives a total of £283.00 pw

If your partner claims carer's allowance you will then receive:

CA: £61.35
ESA(S) £144.65
DLA: £111.20

Giving a new total of £317.20 pw

The increase is the Carer's Premium added to your ESA claim.

GlasweJen

Hi HUW, I'm nearly 100% sure you'll be better off claiming the carers allowance because the amount they deduct is less than the premium and allowance added up.

Hope you're alright, you were a big help to me when I was going through testing and MG sucks. Have you ever had IVIG? I got it over a week as an inpatient and was skipping round the ward by the Friday - unfortunately it was temporary but it got me out of a pretty sticky situation (chest muscles giving up)

DerbyDD

Just to clarify, they deduct CA off your ESA add the CP and make a seperate payment for the full amount of CA. Clear as mud

Horseunderwater

Hi GlasweJen
Sent U a PM to tell U about MG related stuff.

To the others am now filling in CA form for Him to sign in due course.
Definitely clear as mud.