UC carers element and child disability element.

theroseys
theroseys Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
in Universal Credit (UC)
Good afternoon, I was recently made aware of the carers element that is attached to universal credit on the basis where a child receives the middle/higher rate of DLA. My child was awarded the higher rate in April 2021 (this was informed to UC when awarded), he has now been renewed to the middle rate as of April 2023. I applied for the carers element with the effective date set as April 2021, this has been awarded. My case worker has sent the backdate of 2021 to a decision maker, I was wondering if anyone had anything similar on whether the backdate was granted. 

Comments

  • Cher_Alumni
    Cher_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,714 Championing
    Hello @theroseys

    Just to let you know, I've deleted a few duplicates of your thread (it appears gremlins were at work!) and moved it to our Universal Credit (UC) category.

    I'm sure our members will share their experiences and thoughts, and in the meantime I wish you luck with the process. Take care.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    It may take a few weeks.
    theroseys said:
    My child was awarded the higher rate in April 2021 (this was informed to UC when awarded), he has now been renewed to the middle rate as of April 2023.
    Are you saying the DLA care has been reduced from high rate to middle rate? If so then this will affect the disabled child element and it will reduce from higher rate £456.89/month to lower rate of £146.31/month.

    You will need to report the changes on your journal.
  • theroseys
    theroseys Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    @poppy123456, that's correct I reported the changes at the same time as requesting for the carers element. I wasn't aware the carers element existed until a few weeks ago :) 
  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 11,750 Online Community Programme Lead
    Unfortunately unless you can evidence that you reported being a carer to UC, they won't always backdate the carer element @theroseys. Do you receive Carer's Allowance? 

    I'd be interested to know how you get on, if you're willing please update us when you hear back from the decision maker. 
  • theroseys
    theroseys Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    Hi Adrian, I do not receive carers allowance as I do not meet the eligibility. 

    I have received a letter from UC that the decision maker has reviewed my delay in reporting and under special circumstances my UC will be adjusted from date of change. I have received the disabled children element since 2021, I explained to UC that I was unaware that I would be entitled to the childs element.  
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    That's good news. They will need to recalculate your past statements before they can pay what is owed. It can take quite a few weeks for them to do this. Once it's done you'll receive a letter on your journal telling you how much they owe and it will then be paid into your bank.

Categories