Carers Allowance and ESA Query

Suzyk1963

Hi ive had a letter back saying im entitled to carers allowance ,not sure how much as they've had to contact universal credit, to see how much I've been paid with them first,they will then work out what im going to get paid ,i made the claim from feb 12 when i started caring for my mum.im confused thought you said I wouldnt get carers alllowsnce as im on universal credit and that is get the carers element?
Regards sue

Alice_Holt

Suzyk1963 wrote: »

Hi ive had a letter back saying im entitled to carers allowance ,not sure how much as they've had to contact universal credit, to see how much I've been paid with them first,they will then work out what im going to get paid ,i made the claim from feb 12 when i started caring for my mum.im confused thought you said I wouldnt get carers alllowsnce as im on universal credit and that is get the carers element?
Regards sue

It is complicated. But as you are on UC it may look like this:

UC (monthly)
Basic element .........£318 (for a single person)
Carers element........£156
Less CA received...(£280)

So, total UC received............ £194 pm plus any applicable housing element.

Weekly CA
Carers allowance.......£64.60 pw

Effectively you will be getting the additional carers element of £156pm added to your existing UC claim. Your monthly income (excluding housing costs, and assuming you are single) will be £474pm (equivalent to £109 pw).

Suzyk1963

Thanks Alice i made my claim from feb 12 will it be backdated?

Ineededaname

Sorry but there is some incorrect information in here.

Claiming carers does not automatically give you the carers element on Universal Credit. As with any other change in your circumstances you need to report that you are a carer to Universal Credit. If you have an online account you can do this on there, if not you need to phone them.

Make sure you use the backdated date.

Any money you get from Carers allowance will be deducted from your universal credit so you need to make sure they have added the carers element on universal credit or you won't gain anything.

This will also place you in the no work related group so you won't have to attend any further appointments or look for work.

Suzyk1963

On the letter DWP l have contacted universal credit so wouldn't they then pay me the carers element?

Ineededaname

No, they are different benefits. You have to report any changes in your circumstances to Universal Credit. They can't just alter your declared circumstances on your behalf.

Carers will contact Universal Credit to check you haven't already been paid any carers element (So you don't get double pay) but no one is going to alter your declaration for you.

If you've got the online account you change it in 30 seconds, if not you'll have to brave the phones.

Suzyk1963

Don't have an online account can I register online for one

Ineededaname

Nah, it just depends which version of universal credit you are on. You will eventually move over.

If you don't have an online account it's live service. In all fairness maybe it is different and they would deal with it for you, but why take the chance? It's a free phone number so make the call and declare you've been a carer since X date and have now claimed carers allowance.

It's always good to be in the habit of explicitly reporting your circumstances to any benefits you claim in the method you've agreed to. That way no incorrect payments can come back on you.

Suzyk1963

I made a claim on June 16
but started being a carer 12 Feb
Will I get the carers element paid from 12feb?
The letter I got yesterday says I'm entitled to carers allowance from 23july and if they owe me any money before this date they will tell me in the full award notification and if I've been getting universal credit or jobsearch ect they may owe me some money ?
There waiting for advice from my local benefits office because I've received universal credit

Suzyk1963

Hi I informed universal credit that there has been a change in my circumstances from 12feb that I've been caring 35hrs she made a change to my claiment commitment and said I'd get the carer element on top of universal credit
I have now had a payment of £64.60 carers allowance? For 23 July
I'm confused as I thought I'd be getting carers element paid on top of universal credit?
The carers allowance is less a week than universal credit
I'm confused AGAIN
Please can you help