can someone claim esa support group and carers allowance / carers premium

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wilf55
wilf55 Posts: 3,102 Forumite
in Benefits & tax credits
hi
does anyone know if someone in the support group of ESA can also claim carers allowance or get carers premium

i know you couldn't get incapacity benefit and claim carers but was wondering how this would work
many thanks
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  • Torry_Quine
    Torry_Quine Posts: 18,834 Forumite
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    wilf55 wrote: »
    hi
    does anyone know if someone in the support group of ESA can also claim carers allowance or get carers premium

    i know you couldn't get incapacity benefit and claim carers but was wondering how this would work
    many thanks


    Do you mean the care component of PIP (replacement for DLA)? This can be claimed alongside ESA whichever group or even if in work. It could also though be claimed alongside IB.
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  • tomtontom
    tomtontom Posts: 7,929 Forumite
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    If someone claims to be sufficiently unwell to qualify for the support group yet is capable of caring for another person for 35 hours a week, this could raise a doubt on their ESA claim.
  • nannytone_2
    nannytone_2 Posts: 12,949 Forumite
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    as has been said ...
    if your caring role contradicts the reason you claim ESA, then there would be an issue.
    but if someone claims ESA for mental health reasons ( for example) and is agoraphobice ...
    this doesnt prevent them, nor contradict ESA, from physically caring for another person.
    alternatively, someone with physical problems can provide the emotional and supportive role for someone with mental health problems
  • nannytone_2
    nannytone_2 Posts: 12,949 Forumite
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    tomtontom wrote: »
    If someone claims to be sufficiently unwell to qualify for the support group yet is capable of caring for another person for 35 hours a week, this could raise a doubt on their ESA claim.
    i receive support group ESA because i am blind, but i am more than capable of providing emotional support and encouragement
  • wilf55
    wilf55 Posts: 3,102 Forumite
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    Basically friend has mental and physical problems just been awarded relevant levels of pip Other friend and carer has physical problems but provides care sorting bills just prevented house repossession. Shoulder to cry on. Online shopping arranging hospitals and lifts amongst other things. Just wondered if it were possible to claim both not the arguments for and against claiming. My two friends wouldn't be committing benefit fraud and one would be providing care for 35 hours per week if not more. Just wondered if the two benefits could be claimed together. Thank you
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  • pmlindyloo
    pmlindyloo Posts: 13,049 Forumite
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    Just to add. You cannot claim contribution based ESA and CA. They are overlapping benefits.

    http://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/moneyandlegal/carersbenefits/Pages/CarersAllowance.aspx
  • nannytone_2
    nannytone_2 Posts: 12,949 Forumite
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    yes they can be, but be prepared for the claims to be closely looked at.

    also, if the person receiving the vare lives alone and is on income related benefit ... there may be some financial loss if someone claims carers allowance for looking after them
  • Studebacher_Hoch
    Studebacher_Hoch Posts: 41 Forumite
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    pmlindyloo wrote: »
    Just to add. You cannot claim contribution based ESA and CA. They are overlapping benefits
    Hi, this isn't strictly true. You can claim CA if you're just on C-ESA - You're right that you won't get paid it because they overlap. However, claiming carer's allowance adds the Carer Premium (£34.20) to your applicable amount. This can sometimes qualify you for a bit of Income-related ESA depending on your circumstances. The Carer Premium also applies to housing benefit, so if you don't receive full housing benefit, claiming Carer's Allowance may increase your entitlement, even if you don't get any extra from your ESA.

    In answer to wilf55's original question, yes you can claim CA when in the ESA support group. If you're only on contributions based ESA it may have an effect as above, if you are on Income-related ESA (IR-ESA) what will happen is this:

    You will be paid £61.35 a week Carer's Allowance. This is classed as income, so your Income-related ESA will be reduced by £61.35. However, you will also have the Carer Premium (£34.20) included in your ESA amount, so essentially your income would increase by £34.20.

    HOWEVER - as nannytone mentioned, there can be a loss if claiming CA. It very much depends on the individual circumstances as to whether it's worth it. I would very much recommend getting a better-off calculation from a reputable benefits organisation. The CA form itself has a declaration that you understand it may affect your benefits if you claim it, but understanding the actual effects is a different matter.

    For example - if you receive an income-related benefit (IR-ESA, Income Support etc.) and you live alone and receive middle rate care DLA/AA or daily living of PIP and no-one claims Carers Allowance for you, you will qualify for the Severe Disability Premium. This is worth £61.10 a week. But if someone claims Carer's Allowance for you then you don't get it. So it is possible you may gain the Carer Premium of £34.20 but your friend loses the Severe Disability Premium of £61.10 if you claim Carer's Allowance. It all depends on the circumstances as to whether it's worth it, so I would say get specialist advice.
  • wilf55
    wilf55 Posts: 3,102 Forumite
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    Thank you x
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