ESA Support group and carers allowance

CLGabs

Hi all
I wondered if anyone can help me? I am receiving support group ESA due to cancer, stem cell transplant and lasting and late effects of chemo. We are just going through the process of claiming DLA for our youngest child who has a rare genetic condition and autism. I am his main carer even though I am not very well myself. We always planned for me to continue to work as a teacher and were never expecting to be down to one salary. We have to rely on financial support from my family and the cost of living is crippling us… If my son gets the DLA at the rate we think he is I will be entitled to claim carers allowance. Is this possible if I’m in the support group for ESA? I know you can’t if you are in the income support group but can’t find anything about the support group. Just wondered if anyone has experienced this. It can be a little confusing about what you can claim or where to start.

Thanks for any help

CLGabs

Hi. No I am not. I had PIP whilst going through treatment and given how hard it is to get I doubt I would be awarded it again…. I still am unable to work and am unlikely to be able to again. It’s an unusual situation to be in and it always feels there is a lack of support for people in my position.

poppy123456

There’s no such thing as Income support Group.

Which ESA are you claiming? Is it New style the old contributions based or Income Related?

What happened to your PIP? Did it stop because you were refused with a review?

CLGabs

Sorry, was dealing with a child at the same time as writing, I meant contribution based ESA, I am in the support group. Online it says you can’t claim carers allowance and contribution based ESA but nothing of people in the support group for ESA. The PIP just stopped. To be honest I don’t remember ever being asked for a review…. At the time that it would have come to an end we were dealing with a lot. I was still very unwell and also dealing with a toddler with a lot of medical issues.

poppy123456

Being in the Support Group doesn’t prevent you claiming carers allowance. Claiming contributions based or New style ESA prevents you receiving carers allowance at the same time because they are treated as over lapping benefits. This means you can claiming carers allowance unfortunately.

Are you claiming any other benefits as well as your ESA? Tax credits or Universal credit perhaps?

For the avoidance of doubt for anyone claiming carers allowance the person you’re caring for must be claiming either PIP/ADP daily living, DLA mid/high rate care or AA.

CLGabs

Thank you so much for the help. Yes that’s what I thought in regards to ESA. My son is likely to get DLA at the mid rate for his care needs. But nevermind.

Appreciate the help.