Enhanced Disability Premium Element

Steelcrow21

Hi there, we are self employed, but our MIF hasn’t been applied yet, so claim universal credit, currently with a child disability element of around £130 a month.My son is 16 and was awarded PIP enhanced rate awarded since Oct 22. I have only just realised we are entitled to the enhanced premium of £414 a month.UC or DWP did not inform me of this, I found out by chance.They said they will pay it from next month but Decision Maker has to decide if it will be back paid because I was late reporting it.For a start, I didn’t know until last week.Another point, the PIP is my sons money, he is nearly 17, his PIP is not means tested so doesn’t affect my UC.Is this something that needs to be reported, even though it isn’t mine or my partners money? Thankyou in Advance.

poppy123456

Although it isn't yours or your partners money, it still needs to be reported because because UC won't know unless you tell them. As you've found out you're entitled to the higher disabled child element, which should be backdated to the start of the higher PIP award.

Steelcrow21

Okay, Thankyou, I just thought as it’s my sons money, he doesn’t even have to tell me about it, as it goes into his account.I did report it as soon as I realised, last week.The UC person I spoke to has been very abrupt about it, she said as I’m late reporting it, I may not get back payment, she has sent it to the Decision Maker.If or when they’ve made the decision she said, a message will be left on my UC journal.Does anyone know if I can appeal a decision not to back pay it?

poppy123456

It's your sons money but he's still a dependant and you're claiming the child element for him. You're entitled to the higher disabled child element because he's claiming Enhanced PIP.

It has to go to a decision maker because only they can make a decision and put an award into payment. Any decision can be challenged but you haven't had the decision yet so you'll need to wait for that.

calcotti

Also important too if your son has PIP Daily Living because you can declare that you can carer for him and can receive the carer element. Not only does that increase the UC maximum but also the carer is not require to work so the MIF cannot be applied to the carer even if they are self employed.

Steelcrow21

Thankyou both Poppy & Calcotti, you have both been of much help!

poppy123456

calcotti said:

Also important too if your son has PIP Daily Living because you can declare that you can carer for him and can receive the carer element. Not only does that increase the UC maximum but also the carer is not require to work so the MIF cannot be applied to the carer even if they are self employed.

Thanks calcotti, i completely overlooked that!