DLA careers allowance

Lauren1988

Hello all, just after a bit of advice please if anyone can help?

My 2.5yo son has just been awarded DLA HRC no mobility for 2 years. I am on UC and have updated the COC regarding when his DLA was awarded from and made a request for the carers element to be added. I've been advised to apply for carers allowance: as this is £ for £ we won't be financially any better off but it will cover my NI contributions for the 2 years.

My question is some people have told be it will negatively affect us financially as it can reduce other elements of UC, is this correct? Should I be applying for carers element and carers allowance or just stick to carers element.

Thanks in advance x

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

Have you recently migrated to UC from legacy benefits and have Transitional Protection included?

In that scenario, the Carers Element would just erode the TP £ for £ so you may not be any better off. (But shouldn't be worse off either.)

With Carers Allowance, you get the full payment separately, but an equal amount is deducted from your UC, so again you wouldn't be any better off financially.

As you said though, Carers Allowance does give you class 1 NI credits whereas UC only gives you class 3.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @Lauren1988 and welcome to the community!

I see you've had some great info from OverlyAnxious there. Just wanted to say hi 😊

Lauren1988

Hi OverlyAnxious...no not transfered ..I've been on uc only for a few years x

poppy123456

There's a rule that the same person can't receive both carers element and LCWRA element at the same time. Therefore if it's a single claim and your UC includes LCWRA then you won't be able to claim carers element.

Lauren1988

Hey poppy123456 I'm on a joint claim with my partner. He works full time, i don't recieve lcwra x

poppy123456

Thanks. Carers allowance doesn't take any elements off and you'll still be entitled to the same elements. It just reduces your UC. The deduction will be £354.90/month. You will then receive CA as a separate payment.