Hi, Disabled child element of UC

gibbspr83

Evening. My wife and I have just realised that on universal credit we have been recieving the lower "disabled child element" since 2021. But our daughter has been recieving highest rate DLA.

We have reported it all and waiting to hear back..I worry we won't get a back payment as it's technically our fault.

We didn't know there was different elements or had forgotten as it had been a while since we started claiming UC.

Anyone had any experience in this matter?

Annoying that government departments don't talk.

poppy123456

To be clear to be entitled to the higher disabled child element your daughter must be claiming high rate care DLA. Any other award and it would be lower disabled child element.

If her award is high rate care then you will receive the higher element from the assessment period in which the DLA high rate care was awarded was from. Therefore you will be owed the difference between the two.

Any money owed will be paid separately to your usual monthly money.

gibbspr83

Thank you.

Yes we are recieving the highest DLA rate.

Was just worried they wouldn't back date as we didn't report the change. Only because, as I mentioned, we were unaware there was different rates on UC.

Albus_Scope

Hey there @gibbspr83 and welcome to the community.

I can see Poppy is already helping you out with your query, but I just wanted to pop in and say a quick hello. 😊