Universal Credit Questions. We have been advised we may qualify for UC

Sparkle87

Hi - I'm looking for some information as I am a bit lost! We are a family of four, two adults and two children age 7&9.
My husband has a good job and is the sole earner in the house, I am a carer for my son. Both sons are autistic and receive child disability payments (Scotland) and I receive Carer's Allowance. 

We have been advised we may qualify for UC despite my husband having a relatively high income, can anyone tell me if this is correct?

He works full time and earns £734 per week after deductions. He also pays an extra £600 a month from his net wages into his work pension (he started pension later in life and trying to catch up).

He helps to care for the children and we were told this would entitle him to the carer's element in the calculation. 

Thanks in advance. 

Albus_Scope

Hey there @Sparkle87 and welcome to the community. I hope you're doing ok today?

I understand the confusion, Universal credit isn't the easiest benefit to make head or tail of.  I'm not 100% on the answers and would rather not give information if it's not correct, but hopefully one of our super smart regulars will be along to help you shortly.  

poppy123456

The best thing to do is to use a benefits calculator and put both your details into it. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator The carers allowance will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

As both your sons are claiming ADP if the other son that you don't claim carers allowance for is claiming either mid/high rate care then your partner can claim carers element of UC for looking after them. This would mean your UC will include 2 carers elements, the other element being for you. Theres's no earnings limit when claiming carers element, like there is for carers allowance.

When there's any entitled to UC will depend on how much earnings he receives each month.

Sparkle87

Thank you for that - do you have any idea whether the extra pension contributions would affect anything? Not sure of the rules, does it matter what you spend your money on, is it scrutinised? We normally try and overpay our mortgage out of my husband's wages and I'm worried that this would be against the rules? 

poppy123456

Paying extra for your mortgage will not be an issue. What you spend your money on is your decision. UC entitlement is based on net earnings received each month. Paying into a pension is also fine when claiming UC.

Sparkle87

Thank you, I'm just trying to make sure everything is above board and that we aren't doing anything wrong.