carers element

northernstar007

hi all, ive started getting carers allowance backdated since dec23, this was also put on my uc journal in mid april
ive just been awarded the carers allowance which is on my UC but no carers element, i have re added it on my journal, have i done the right thing
the carers allowance has just this week been added on to my UC is that the reason why no elemnt is added, untill my next assesment date or do i have to do something else

poppy12345

You need to report a change of circumstances by logging into your journal. Then click "caring for someone" then report being a carer through there. Carers element will then be included, assuming you're not claiming the LCWRA element yourself because both elements can't be paid to the same person. 

kkkklinky

I thought CA was paid separately (in not talking about the Premiums) from UC and other benefits? It definitely is for me and many others.

Spoonie_Turtle

kkkklinky said:

I thought CA was paid separately (in not talking about the Premiums) from UC and other benefits? It definitely is for me and many others.

It is but people claiming UC should also claim the carer element, especially as CA is deducted in full from UC.

poppy12345

kkkklinky said:

I thought CA was paid separately (in not talking about the Premiums) from UC and other benefits? It definitely is for me and many others.

When claiming CA and UC at the same time, the Carers element isn't automatically added like carers premium is for legacy benefits. That's why I advised reporting the changes.

Newcad

It's a long standing bugbear that the UC computer will automatically deduct Carers Allowance £ for £, but it won't then automatically add a Carer Element to UC.

You have to do the C-of-C yourself to get the Carer Element of UC put into payment.

Unsurprisingly they appear to be in no hurry to fix it so that the computer will do it automatically.

northernstar007

but i already put in my journal in mid april i was now a carer with the person name and address i am looking after
now i have put it in again, so will i now have the carers element added?? and will it be back dated from the start of when i was caring in dec23

Newcad

Variable results with backdating - did you tell them in Dec 2023?

I'd advise that you take a screenshot of that journal entry from April.

When/if you ask for backdating they will usually/often say that you didn't inform them at the time so are too late now.

Spoonie_Turtle

I've just reread your original post as well and UC haven't added the carer element yet despite you telling them about it mid-April.

Did you send a journal message only, or did you report it via 'report a change'?

And what are your assessment period dates, just for context?

Muttleythefrog

northernstar007 said:

but i already put in my journal in mid april i was now a carer with the person name and address i am looking after
now i have put it in again, so will i now have the carers element added?? and will it be back dated from the start of when i was caring in dec23

You need to report a change of circumstance from the report a change section "caring for someone" if not already done. This is different than adding an entry to your journal which I worry you may have done directly rather than by reporting a change.

northernstar007

thanks for the replys all
im  looking at my journal i reported in mid march also it was added by job center in mid april and now i have again re added it, the 1 in march i did get a reply back asking for details dob address etc of the person i was caring for 
my assesment dates is 19th-18th and yes it was done via report of change