Carers element of uc

jazzyjewels

Hi everyone, looking for a little advice.

I had been receiving LRC and LRM for my autistic daughter for the last 6 years. 
Recently social security scotland took over dla claims so it's now known as child disability payment.

I recieved letters over the last few months asking if I wanted her benefit reviewed this was extended and I was given a year to send them any relevant information. It just so happened that 4 weeks before the deadline we went through quite alot of neurological assessments with camhsi recieved reports for this. I sent these off asking for the review. After a lengthy phone call with sss discussing her needs, medication and sleeping she advised it could take 4 weeks to review. This was on the Monday. By the Friday I had the letter informing me she would now recieve MRC and LRM from 13th July 2022. I did recieve the backdated money 3 days later.

Iam currently awaiting a decision maker for the backdated carers element of uc. I was never entitled to claim this on LRC but now as she recieves MRC  from July last year I now am. Uc were fully aware she was disabled as I was awarded the child disability element since my first claim  for uc 4 years ago. Surely they can't argue the fact that they weren't aware of her care or me as her carer (main carer of the 2 children this question is asked in the uc application) if I was receiving that disability element. I've seen a lot of posts from people who were denied backdated because they were never informed that they were there carer but I wasn't expecting MRC to be backdated to July. I can't apply for the carers element before I'm entitled. I don't claim carers allowance as myself and husband are both in employment universal credit is very minimal monthly (mostly childcare)  

Has anyone been successful in there claim to have the carers element backdated to there award date?
If so how long did it take the decision maker I've been waiting 4 weeks so far. I did ask my work coach about timescales but there is no timescale for this apparently. I've already printed of a mandatory reconsideration form as I kind of suspect it will be denied judging by the posts ive read. 

Any advice appreciated
Sorry I know its a long post

poppy123456

Yes, we've had lots of threads where people have successfully been awarded carers element even when they didn't report caring duties. The only time it can't be paid is when the person caring is receiving the LCWRA element for theirself because both elements can't be paid at the same time to same person, so they will be entitled to the higher element. (LCWRA)

However, as you've read there's also been lots that were refused. It will be down to a decision maker to make the final decision. Unfortunately, there's no timescales.

jazzyjewels

Thank you for the reply. I'll wait another few weeks to contact them I know they are very busy and I won't be a priority on that list.

I will update if I hear anything might give others a little bit of an insight 

Thanks again

jazzyjewels

Recieved an update today. Carers element backdated to July last year. So 3 weeks in total for decision to be made, although I'm having some issues with my case manager calculating the correct amounts. First letter states from June 2023 to August 2023 I left a message asking him to look at this again as it should be from July 2022 recieved another letter stating from June 2022 to August 2022. Dates should be from june 2022 to August 2023 again left a message still waiting for a reply will attach the letters. I've never had so many issues with universal credit it's unreal. Tax credit system was way better and a lot easier. Again I'll update if I hear anything further