Carers allowance and council tax

gym
gym Community member Posts: 21 Listener

HI.Will I still be able to get council tax support for myself if I claim carers allowance. I live alone and get the single person discount. I also get universal credit.I get the standard allowance.and I also get the housing element for a 1 bed flat.my council tax authority is Sheffield city council. Thanks for any information

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,087 Championing

    When claiming UC you do not need to claim carers allowance to be entitled to carers element. Carers allowance is just deducted in full from any UC entitlement so there’s no financial gain.

    Although you do receive class 1 NI credits for carers allowance but class 3 for UC.

    You also need to be very careful that the person you’re caring for doesn’t receive the Severe Disability Premium in another benefit. If they do that will stop if you claim either CA or carers element.

    To answer your question about Council tax reduction then yes you will still be entitled to it but it maybe recalculated. All local Authorities have their own rules. You will still be entitled to the single person discount because you live alone.

  • gym
    gym Community member Posts: 21 Listener

    The person does not receive sdp I checked before claiming. I just don't want my council tax to go up to the full amount.do you think I will be worse off if universal credit deducted the full amount of carers allowance.

  • gym
    gym Community member Posts: 21 Listener

    Do I submit a new council tax claim

  • gym
    gym Community member Posts: 21 Listener

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,087 Championing

    You won’t be worse off overall between CA and UC. To give more information which I forgot to add to my previous advice.

    You need to log into your journal to report a change of circumstances and then click caring for someone. They will then include the carers element. This means you will be £198.31 better off per month between carers allowance and UC.

  • gym
    gym Community member Posts: 21 Listener

    Thanks poppy. I was a bit worried that I would be worse off overall. All I want to do is care for my friend and not suffer myself for doing so

  • gym
    gym Community member Posts: 21 Listener

    Do I need to make a fresh claim for council tax support now I get carers allowance, or will I still get the same housing element of universal credit.

  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 11,558 Online Community Programme Lead

    You'll receive the same amount of housing element @gym. You will need to report the change to council tax support in case the increase in income impacts any council tax support you receive.

  • gym
    gym Community member Posts: 21 Listener

    Thanks Adrian