Carer's Allowance refused - Should I fight back alone, or do I need backup?

lisyloo

AA is not means tested.

shelleywa

calcotti wrote: »

Your benefit claim and your father’s claim are separate, you are not a joined benefit unit.

Your father will not lose his AA if you claim UC. It is awarded to him because of his care needs. I can see nothing in the link you have provided that would lead you to think this would happen.

Does your father receive Pension Credit? If your father does receive Pension Credit this may include a Severe Disability addition. If so when you claim UC as a carer he will lose the Severe Disability addition. The same would also have happened had you been able to claim Carer’s Allowance.

The link states that:

One important thing to note is that if the person you are looking after receives a severe disability premium (or addition) within their means-tested legacy benefits, they will lose this if your UC includes a carer element

So the AA in itself isn't a severe disability premium? Sorry, these terms are all new to me.

I will have to check with him about the pensions credit severe disability addition.

sportsarb

shelleywa wrote: »

The link states that:



So the AA in itself isn't a severe disability premium? Sorry, these terms are all new to me.

I will have to check with him about the pensions credit severe disability addition.

AA is Attendance Allowance which is a form of DLA for those whose who applied after a certain age....I think it is 65. It is not means tested and is a stand alone benefit. If someone is in receipt of Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit, there is potential entitlement to a premium on their Pension Credit.

If you were to be entitled to Carers Allowance, it would only be the premium, not the AA that stops.

calcotti

shelleywa wrote: »

So the AA in itself isn't a severe disability premium? Sorry, these terms are all new to me.

I will have to check with him about the pensions credit severe disability addition.

The Severe Disability addition will only be relevant if your father gets Pension Credit. He will only get Pension Credit if he is on a low income.

sleepless_saver

If the OP as a non dependant is living with her father - she/he hasn't said if this is the case - then presumably father wouldn't be entitled to the SDP whether or not carer claims CA or UC?

shelleywa

OK, so he does get PC, but no premium. So I have now applied for UC and have to call them tomorrow and arrange an interview/meeting.

Thank you all for your help!

calcotti

sleepless_saver wrote: »

If the OP as a non dependant is living with her father - she/he hasn't said if this is the case - then presumably father wouldn't be entitled to the SDP whether or not carer claims CA or UC?

Well spotted - I had overlooked that even if previously applicable SDP would have been lost when OP moved in. Apologies to OP for any confusion caused.