UNIVERSAL CREDIT AND CARERS

CuriousCarer

Howdy MSE Forums! 

 Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

So I have been a full-time carer for my partner for ~2 years now but have recently learned that I may be able to claim Universal Credit, rather than just Carer's Allowance. This, of course, would be a huge boon to our household.
Before I go through the lengthy process of applying for UC I wanted to know if any of you had experience with being a full-time carer for a disabled person(receives both PIP components at the enhanced rate, if it matters) and applying for UC? Will I be expected to look for employment? I would happily work from home if I could, but I need to be available for my partner. 
It seems crazy to me that a person would "only" get ~£280PM for looking after someone full time so I would like to think that I would not be expected to look for work, unless it was from home so I could still be there for my partner when needed.

Any experiences, advice or help in any form will be greatly appreciated!

Stay safe and as happy as possible

poppy12345

UC is ameans tested benefit and claiming this will totally depend on both your circumstances, if you live together. You'll need to claim as a couple. Using a benefits calculator will tell you whether you're entitled to anything.

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=f08a58be-ae05-4eed-a9b5-30b4a540f4d1

If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 then you're excluded from claiming.

A claim for UC will end any tax credits you may already be claiming. If you're claiming for help with any rent then housing benefit will continue for 2 weeks and then transfer to UC.

As a carer you won't have any work commitments yourself. Your partner will need to send in fit notes from their GP to start the Limited capability for work process off and until they are assessed then they maybe expected to do some work commitments but this will depend on your work coach.

Carers allowance will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement but you need to make sure you tell them that you're a carer and they will add the carers element to your claim.

tomtom256

Does your partner claim ESA or any other benefits? If so it could affect this and unless he already has a limited capaility for work i.e. WRAG or support group, then they would need to provide fit notes until an assessment could be done either face to face, which is not currently happening or via a telephone assessment.

As regards to you, you would not be required to look for any work and would not need to attend appointments.

calcotti

Is your partner receiving any benefits other than PIP, such as ESA?

CuriousCarer

Thanks for the responses guys, greatly appreciated.
Due to a strange set of events of the course of the years my partner actually works 4 days a week, from home, doing a very easy job with little exertion, supported by me taking care of her/the home all day.
Due to this I am not sure if she would qualify for Limited Capability component, though she would find it VERY hard to find another job if she lost this one.
We have run through the calculator for each of us and, it seems, could be ~£1,100 a month better off which just seems too good to be true, so I am convinced I must have done something wrong.

Neither of us currently get any benefits other than PIP and Carer's Allowance.

Just for my peace of mind and 100% clarity - are you certain that someone who cares for their partner full-time does not need to look for work in order to claim UC?

Thanks so much for your time.

poppy12345

CuriousCarer said:

Just for my peace of mind and 100% clarity - are you certain that someone who cares for their partner full-time does not need to look for work in order to claim UC?

As previously advised, there will not be any work commitments for you as a carer.

Alice_Holt

1)   UC will apply to you both as a couple, not just you as an individual.  Since applying for UC will end other means-tested benefits your household receives ( ESA ?; HB ?, Tax Credits ?), it is vital to check your household would be better off under UC - https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

2)  If you apply for UC then as a carer you would not be expected to seek work - https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Claimant-commitment-Universal-Credit
Your partner may have to undergo a work capability assessment - https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Universal-Credit/Additional-Elements-of-Universal-Credit
Your CA will be deducted from your households UC entitlement £ for £.

Please check before applying for UC:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/30/hundreds-of-thousands-who-lost-jobs-in-pandemic-denied-universal-credit?fbclid=IwAR0Rvf00nnVDkPyy0Lp_CpVoLJWJhQEBJJcS7uLlR_Iw2RMfVmQYuidridc

calcotti

CuriousCarer said: Just for my peace of mind and 100% clarity - are you certain that someone who cares for their partner full-time does not need to look for work in order to claim UC?

A carer does not have any work related requirements.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/what-youll-need-to-do-on-universal-credit/claimant-commitment-what-group/

Rubyroobs

Did the calculation take into consideration deductions for your partners earnings and that your carers allowance will be deducted pound for pound from your Uc entitlement ? You will however get a carers element added onto your Uc claim. If oyu have no dependent children on your claim and your wife is not awarded LCWRA which she may not be then you won't get a work allowance on your claim ( this is an amount that is disregarded before deductions for wages happen.)

poppy12345

CuriousCarer said:

We have run through the calculator for each of us and, it seems, could be ~£1,100 a month better off which just seems too good to be true, so I am convinced I must have done something wrong.

Do you own or rent your home? Any dependant children?

calcotti

CuriousCarer said: We have run through the calculator for each of us and, it seems, could be ~£1,100 a month better off which just seems too good to be true, so I am convinced I must have done something wrong.

I suggest you run the calculation on at least two calculators to see if you get the same answer.