Carers allowance and ESA

NineParsecs

Hi,

I am on nsESA (Support group) and PIP. My brother is thinking about claiming carers allowance for me after finishing a job that is now too heavy for him. (he already helps me a great deal) Things i'm reading seem to point to the fact that they would take my ESA away because of this. Am i reading things right? Information is not very clear Please help us.

Spoonie_Turtle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6657093/carers-allowance-and-esa

They won't take your ESA away.

In the past it could have been affected, if you lived alone and claimed the SDP in income-based ESA because nobody claimed money for caring for you. But income-based ESA no longer exists, and all ESA awards are new-style, not means-tested at all. And you already know yours is new-style, that's good.

The only potential interaction between ESA and Carers Allowance now would be if a person wanted to claim both (ESA due to their own ill health and CA for caring for someone else) - they could only be paid the one that's the most money (the same person cannot be paid the ESA amount and the CA amount on top).

But in your situation they have nothing to do with each other because it's two separate people claiming two separate benefits, you claiming ESA and your brother claiming CA.

NineParsecs

Thank you for that very useful info. As far as I know my brother would claim UC for having to give up work voluntarily because he cant do that SPECIFIC role and there are no other options for him with that employer, and it's all he has ever known. Only then would he claim carers allowance to care for me in effect full time. Under those circumstances it appears my benefits would not be impacted. Am I understanding correctly?

Spoonie_Turtle

Nothing your brother does or claims will affect your benefits :)

NineParsecs

Thank you very much.