Carers allowance & ESA

PaulC0

Hi all

I am currently on ESA and currently in a support group. My father has alzheimer's and my mother was his carer until she reached pensionable age recently. What I'd like to know is if I could claim the carers allowance as I help look after him? I'm unsure as I'm on ESA for a long term sickness myself but I spend most of my day helping my parents with the basics

Thanks

calcotti

There isn’t enough information to advise.

What type of ESA are you receiving? It could be contribution based ESA, incomeESA, a mix of both the preceding or it could be new style ESA.

Do you parents receive any benefits other than their State Pensions?

PaulC0

My father receives PIP 

I'm not sure which ESA I'm on - its either contribution based or income based. I'm still employed but on long term sick. I know the ESA I'm on does not come with any other benefits, ie winter payments etc 

How could I check which ESA I'm actually on? Sorry for the lack of info 

calcotti

How much ESA are you paid and when did you claim it?

poppy12345

If you claimed the ESA after December 2018 then it's likely to be New style ESA, if it is then you can't be paid the Carers allowance at the same time because they are classed as overlapping benefits.

PaulC0

Currently 235 per fortnight

Payments started in Jan this year 

PaulC0

Low income benefits and tax credits

You may get a payment of £650 paid in 2 lump sums of £326 and £324 if you get payments of any of the following:

• Universal Credit
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

The payment will be made separately from your benefit.

You will not get a payment if you get New Style Employment and Support Allowance, contributory Employment and Support Allowance, or New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance, unless you get Universal Credit.

As above, I was not eligible for that benefit so I assume I'm in the contributory Employment and Support Allowance group

poppy12345

Then it's New style ESA. Have you checked entitlement to Universal Credit? If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming. If you live with a partner you need to claim as a couple and your joint circumstances will be taken into consideration.

Your ESA will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement. However, even if you claim UC you won't be able to claim carers element because your UC will include the LCWRA element (Support Group equivalent) and you can't be paid both together.

Use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=a0c9e09a-133e-4482-a021-3de5c1c05547

PaulC0

Thanks for all your help