Carers allowence

hello6256

Hi I’ve just applied for carers allowance for a family friend. Will it effect the person I care for benefits in anyway?

calcotti

Depending what benefits they currently receive. If they receive a benefit which includes a Severe Disability Premium they with lose the SDP if you receive Carers Allowance (or the carer element of UC).

hello6256

How do they know if they get that? Thanks 

poppy123456

hello6256 said:

How do they know if they get that? Thanks 

Which benefits are they currently claiming exactly? It would have been better to do these checks before you claimed it.

Are you currently claiming any benefits yourself? If so which ones?

hello6256

They get lower rate PIP on both and ESA there esa is £259 every 2 weeks so is that including the SDP? Or had that not been added on? I don’t claim anything and have just lost my hours at work 

poppy123456

That amount for their ESA doesn't include the SDP. However, if they live alone or treated as living alone then they would be entitled to the SDP, up until you claimed carers allowance for them.

For yourself as well as carers allowance you can use a benefits calculator to check entitlement to Universal Credit. If you live with a partner you'll need to claim as a couple because it's a means tested benefit. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming.

If you claim UC the carers allowance will be deducted in full.

hello6256

They only started get Esa last year so is this new style esa?

poppy123456

hello6256 said:

They only started get Esa last year so is this new style esa?

Ah yes of course, thanks. I should have realised that because of the amount but it was rather late.

They should also check entitlement to UC for theirself. If they live with a partner they'll need to claim as a couple. If they have savings/capital of more than £16,000 they're excluded from claiming.

The ESA will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement but they'll be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of their claim.

hello6256

Yeah they get UC already live alone and have the LCWRA element so their benefits will be safe? And if I claim UC will the carers effect that? Sorry for all the questions I’m so new to all of this I’m trying to read online but it’s all so much to take in

poppy123456

You claiming CA will not affect any of their benefits. If you claim UC then as i advised the CA will be deducted in full. Your maximum UC entitlement will then include the carers element.

CA will then be paid to you separately.

hello6256

Thank you so is it still worth claiming UC? 

hello6256

I live with my parents 

calcotti

hello6256 said:

Thank you so is it still worth claiming UC? 

It depends on your financial circumstances.
Try using a benefits calculator https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk
If you have no other income then it will be worth claiming UC (assuming you are not excluded by having savings over £16,000).

poppy123456

hello6256 said:

I live with my parents 

Your parents income will not affect any entitlement you may have to UC. As a carer you will not have any work related requirements. If you do claim than you'll need to report being a carer and then the carers element will be included.

hello6256

Thank you so much for all of your help I have sent off the application 

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @hello6256

Welcome to the community! I'm so glad Poppy and Calcotti were able to help you, I hope you keep us updated with the outcome  

hello6256

Thank you so much for all of your help I have sent off the application 

hello6256

Thanks I will do