Will carers allowance affect my benefits?

lesley321

Hello everyone, I have a few questions about benefits that I'm hoping someone could give me a little advice on. Firstly about me, I am on universal credit lcwra and pip enhanced daily living and enhanced mobility. I also have kinship care of my 6 year old granddaughter whose mother passed when she was a baby. Recently my adult daughter has moved in with me to help me with household tasks I cannot do and some personal care and also help with my granddaughter. She works full time, long hours and everything is starting to take it's toll, she doesn't have the option of doing less hours at work so has decided to give up her job and be my full time carer. Is she able to do this and claim universal credit or would she be penalised for quitting her job?

Secondly, if she claimed carers allowance or carers element would it affect any of my benefits like lcwra, housing element of universal credit and council tax support? Would I be worse off financially? I really do need her help but couldn't cope with a big financial loss.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. 🙂

Rachel_Scope

Hi @lesley321! I'm glad that you have the option of your daughter being your full-time carer. It should bring you some much needed relief 😊

I'm going to move this into the Universal Credit category as there may be more people there who can help you and share their experiences.

Adrian_Scope

Hello @lesley321 and a warm welcome to the community.

When your daughter signs up for Universal Credit (UC), she should report that she is your carer. By doing so, she shouldn't be penalised for quitting her job.

Her claiming Carer's Allowance or the carer element of UC for caring for you won't impact your LCWRA or your Universal Credit. Since you are receiving the Daily Living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), her living with you also won't affect your housing element but you still need to let them know she's living with you if you haven't already.

Her living with you may impact your council tax support.

lesley321

Thank you so much for answering me.