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Carers allowance and claiming uc.

meg1509

My mom last year got diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. I’m currently 19 and have been claiming carers allowance for looking after her for a few months. I do not work nor am I in full time education. My mom receives PIP and ESA herself and obviously she is unable to work and also has mental health issues along side her cancer. Anyway ESA is being changed over to universal credit. My mom had a phone call yesterday off somebody from UC asking like what I do and stuff and she told them I claim carers allowance. And they said that I need to start claiming UC along side that aswell otherwise my mom will charged £96 a week in rent which the council currently pay for. My main worry is if I claim and then get harrased by the job centre to search for work. When at the moment that is very difficult as I would be limited to very very very few hours a week as most my time is taken up caring for my mom. I have no dad or siblings to help me out it is just the two of us. So if I start to claim UC will I have to be forced to search for work aswell?

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Comments

Morgan_Alumni

Good morning @meg1509

I'm really sorry to hear about your mum's situation; that sounds incredibly challenging for both of you. The advice regarding your mum's rent is incorrect, as she receives PIP she should not have deductions for you living there, regardless of whether you claim UC or not. Is your mum currently claiming housing benefit?

If you start claiming Universal Credit, you will need to agree to a 'Claimant Commitment' that outlines your responsibilities. As a carer, your commitments will be tailored to your situation, and you will not be required to look for or prepare for work, or attend related meetings. Initially, they may ask you to attend an ID appointment and possibly a second 'commitments' appointment, but after that, you won’t be expected to work or anything similar. Your Universal Credit will include the standard allowance and the carer element, but please note that your Carer’s Allowance will be fully deducted from your total UC amount.