Carers allowance while on ESA

ShaunOfTheDead78

just need advise, im in reciept of ESA support group and my partner is in reciept of pip daily living standard (no mobility component)

i've been told i can claim an underlying entitlement to carers allowance for her £36.85 a week or something? that will be added to my ESA? is this correct? i've applied for carers allowance as this is what i was told to do. but not heard anything as yet? i know i cant get full carers allowance because of my ESA but am i right in assuming i will receive the underlying entitlement? this is our only income.

Rubyroobs

Is it income related esa or contributions based?

poppy12345

This isn't quite correct. If you're receiving Income Related ESA to claim the carers element you'll need to claim Carers Allowance.



The carers allowance is deducted £1 for £1 from the ESA and a carers element is added. CA then pay you separately.

ShaunOfTheDead78

Contributions based I believe? And I have claimed for carers allowance as I do indeed care for her more than 35hours per week. I was just wondering if what I'm told is correct?

ShaunOfTheDead78

So poppy am I right in assuming that I will be paid full carers allowance, have the full carers allowance deducted from my ESA and then a carers premium re-added to my ESA? Sorry if I sound stupid, my head is all over the place at the minute.

Rubyroobs

ShaunOfTheDead78 wrote: »

So poppy am I right in assuming that I will be paid full carers allowance, have the full carers allowance deducted from my ESA and then a carers premium re-added to my ESA? Sorry if I sound stupid, my head is all over the place at the minute.

I think if it's contributions based the carers allowance will stop as the ESA is more and you can't claim both. no premiums are payable on contributions based benefits.

poppy12345

ShaunOfTheDead78 wrote: »

Contributions based I believe? And I have claimed for carers allowance as I do indeed care for her more than 35hours per week. I was just wondering if what I'm told is correct?

You need to check exactly what you're receiving. Are you claiming ESA as a couple? If so then it won't be Contributions based, it will be Income related.



If you're not receiving ESA as a couple and you're definitely claiming Contributions based then you can't claim carers allowance at the same time for the reasons stated by Rubyroobs. You won't receive the carers element either because you can't claim the carers element because it's part of Income Related ESA.

calcotti

If you are entitled to contribution based ESA and Carer’s Allowance these are ‘overlapping benefits’ and you will not be paid the Carer’s Allowance because it is worth less than the contribution based ESA (unless your ESA is being reduced due to a pension you receive).

If your ESA includes an income based top up this will be increased by the Carer Premium of £36.85.

If your household income is such that you are not entitled to an income based ESA top up even with the carer premium added then claiming Carer’s Allowance will be of no benefit to you.

ShaunOfTheDead78

hi we do indeed claim ESA as a couple i assumed it was contributions based as they state they will top up national insurance contributions lol i really am as i thick as i sound

it seems i am income related ESA as ive been on it a while. this is our only income aswell as my partners standard pip living allowance so i think i would be entitled to the underlying carers premium entitlement, just havent heard anything as yet so was getting a bit worried

ShaunOfTheDead78

also sorry for delay in replying, my email notifications are failing currently and ty so much for the assistance and help

calcotti

ShaunOfTheDead78 wrote: »

hi we do indeed claim ESA as a couple i assumed it was contributions based as they state they will top up national insurance contributions lol i really am as i thick as i sound

it seems i am income related ESA as ive been on it a while. this is our only income aswell as my partners standard pip living allowance so i think i would be entitled to the underlying carers premium entitlement, just havent heard anything as yet so was getting a bit worried

When you get notified about Carers Allowance you will need to tell ESA.

If your ESA is a mix of contribution based ESA and income based ESA you will not be paid CA and your ESA will go up by £36.85/week.

If your ESA is entirely income based you will be paid CA and your ESA will go down but overall you will be better off by £36.85/week.