Council Tax/Carers Benefits

Sunny2025

I have been a carer for my mother for a number of years and in full time employment. My mother is currently funded by the council where a carer comes in 4 times a days. However, there is no night package and I also cover during the day equating to 35 hrs + each week on top of my full-time job. As her son/carer am I entitled:

1. Universal Credit or any other benefits regardless of my salary

2. Should I be paying Council Tax

Thanks

poppy123456

Firstly your mother must be claiming a qualifying disability benefit such as PIP daily living, DLA mid/high rate care or AA.

If so, being a carer for your mother doesn't automatically entitle you to Universal Credit. Whether there's any entitlement will depend on your circumstances. As it's a means tested benefit if you live with a partner you'll need to claim as a couple and your joint circumstances will be taken into consideration. If you have capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming.

When claiming UC you can also claim carers element which will increase your maximum entitlement but again, it depends on your circumstances. For example, if you're a single person and do not have liability to pay rent to a landlord then working full time will very likely mean there's no entitlement. However, you should use a benefits calculator and put all of your details into it to see what it comes out with.

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/

For council tax, do you live with your mother or somewhere else? If you live with your mother and you're the only 2 adults that live there then there's a 25% carers discount that can be claimed if your mother is claiming a qualifying disability benefit mentioned above. You do not need to be claiming UC with carers element to be able to claim this. See link.

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/council-tax-discounts/carers