Hi, my name is abunebras1! Carers allowance change in main carer

abunebras1

Hello there i need your help please.

My wife gets carers allowance caring for my little son and am not but both on universal credit.

Do I still need to attend commitments and look for work. If I put myself as main carer for the kids as I have 10 years old, 8 years old and 2 years old so I put myself main carer for them do I still get asked to look for work?

Looking forward for your professional answer.

Many thanks

abunebras1

Hello there i need your help please.

My wife gets carers allowance caring for my little son and am not but both on universal credit.

Do I still need to attend commitments and look for work. If I put myself as main carer for the kids as I have 10 years old, 8 years old and 2 years old so I put myself main carer for them do I still get asked to look for work?

Looking forward for your professional answer.

Many thanks

poppy123456

It depends which child she claims carers allowance for. If it's the 2 year old then you will not be required to look for work. Otherwise you maybe expected to look for work but you can try to explain to your work coach and they can use their own discretion. See link.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-your-claimant-commitment-quick-guide/universal-credit-and-your-claimant-commitment

abunebras1

Thanks so much for getting back to me... she gets carers allowance for the 6 years old as he has a long term disability.

But if i put myself as main carer for the other children including the 2 years old would that be a reason or would it not make any difference?

Thanks

Holly_Scope

Hi @abunebras1 and welcome to the community!

From what I've seen, you typically shouldn't have to look for work if you are the main carer. However, if you were to put yourself as the main carer, I would imagine this would remove it from your wife making her solely UC and likely having to complete the same commitments that you've had to before making the swap so to speak.

I hope you don't mind but I've made a change to your post's name just to make it a little easier for people within the community to find. They may have similar experiences and advise they can share with you.

I hope the above is helpful. Please let me know if I can help anymore.

Best wishes,

Holly.

Holly_Scope

I have merged 2 posts as identified a duplication. Hope that's ok.

Holly.

abunebras1

Thank you so much everyone... so I put myself main carer i understand that would make me sole uc however if she is carer that should not be a problem should it? Thanks

poppy123456

Being the main carer would not make your UC a single claim. When you live with a partner you claim UC as a couple.

Being the main carer of a child that’s 2 years old would mean you will not have to look for work. You maybe expected to attend work focused interviews to prepare to work once your youngest child reaches 3.

However what is expected of you exactly will depend on what your commitments are. For that you will need an appointment with your work coach.

Please see the link I posted above.

abunebras1

Thanks so much everyone what a lovely members 😊 ❤️ ☺️

Holly_Scope

That's lovely of you @abunebras1. There are some wonderful and very knowledgeable people in the community. I'm so pleased you've joined.

If you have an opportunity (and haven't already) may I suggest having a look at the categories. The 2 I like most are "coffee break" and "games den" which are really great if you want to socialise with other members, brighten up your day and often have you laughing.

All the best,

Holly.

abunebras1

Thanks so much yes I will do