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ESA claim whilst looking after disabled child

nicola_h

Hi, I am currently working part time but finding it difficult looking after my disabled daughter who has just started at a specialist school who I transport each day, a considerable distance. Her needs are becoming more challenging and I'm struggling to carry on the doing the job I'm doing as we don't have any other form of childcare as parents health has declined. Am I able to put a claim in for ESA if I reduce my hours further or if I have to give up work due to the situation? I have read recently that I would be able to put a claim in for ESA and be possibly put into the support group? She currently receives middle rate care DLA. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

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OverlyAnxious

Hi,

If you're only working part time, you may not have enough NI contributions to claim New Style ESA?

You may be entitled to Universal Credit instead. But that needs to be claimed as a couple if you live with a partner and takes their income and capital into account.

You may also be able to claim Carers Allowance depending on your PT earnings.

Kimi87

ESA only applies if you have a health condition yourself.

Carers Allowance, this does have an earnings limit

https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance

You could look at entitlement to Universal Credit. This depends on household income etc. If eligible you would receive Carers Element plus Disabled Child Element (you mention school so I'm assuming her age) at the lower rate. You would have no work obligations as her carer.

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/universal-credit-uc/additional-elements-of-universal-credit-uc

https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

If you got both UC & Carers Allowance, the CA is deducted in full from your UC award.

nicola_h

Thank you both for your quick replies, I really appreciate it. Yes it works out that we are eligible for universal credit and carers allowance as if I reduce my hours further I am under the threshold for carers allowance. Am I right in thinking then the no work obligations are attached to the universal credit part as I'm classed as her carer? is this what would be applicable if I leave work instead of reducing my hours further if that's not an option? Thank you.

Kimi87

Yes that is correct, due to being a carer you won't have any work expectations from UC.

Either on reduced hours at your current job, or not working.

poppy123456

If you claim carers allowance and UC at the same time it will be deducted in full, so no financial gain. You don't need to claim carers allowance to be entitled to carers element of UC if you claim UC.

There are some advantages to claiming both together, for carers allowance you'll receive class 1 NI credits but for UC it's class 3. However, with CA you have the earnings limit but for carers element you don't.

nicola_h

Thank you both so much for your replies, really appreciate it.

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