Quick question regarding Carers element and Sick notes.

Beserkernaut

Hello

If I am receiving the carers element and am currently out of work due to illness, do I still need to send sick notes to UC or does one cancel the other out? I am based in N.Ireland. Thanks.

poppy123456

If you want to go through the work capability assessment then yes you will need to report your health condition, supported by a fit note within 7 days of that. You will then be referred for a work capability assessment, usually from day 29 after you provided your first fit note.

If found to have LCWRA then you will receive this element, not the carers element because the same person can't claim both elements at the same time.

The only time you won't receive the LCWRA element is if you're claiming UC with a partner that already receives it on your claim.

With the carers element, if you're claiming this for looking after your child then your partner can claim this instead of you, if you're found to have LCWRA.

AtlasShoulders

@Beserkernaut I believe that if you are receiving Carers Element, you are automatically in the "No Work-Related Requirements" so you shouldn't be required to attend appointments or look for work, even without a sick note.

As Poppy says, the only effect of sending sick notes would be to trigger a Work Capability Asssessment, which would only be beneficial if you believed that you were sufficiently unwell to qualify for LCWRA. 

Beserkernaut

Thanks. I was a bit confused because as a sick note is about to run out, I received a "Fit note expiry" warning on my journal and was unsure why this was a big deal. I have been sending them anyway.

poppy123456

When you report a health condition then you will receive reminders when the fit note is about to expire. If you want to continue with the assessment then you'll need to make sure there's no gaps in your fit notes because this can affect when the LCWRA element is paid from.