Will claiming Carer's Allowance affect my wife's benefits?

ElkHound01
ElkHound01 Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
edited January 28 in Benefits and income

I retired early to look after my wife, who receives PIP and ESA due to her illness. I have been told that I should claim Carers Allowance, but I’m concerned if I do it will affect my wife’s benefits. Is this the case?

Comments

  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 13,207 Championing

    hi and welcome to the forum unfortunately I can't advise you on anything benefits related but what I can do is recommend the coffee lounge for a general chat and the games den for some fun.

  • Kimmy87
    Kimmy87 Online Community Member Posts: 2,529 Championing

    Yes, if your wife receives Severe Disability Premium in her ESA, this will end if you claim Carers Allowance.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 63,826 Championing

    If you live with your wife and you're not either registered blind or claiming a qualifying disability benefit yourself then her ESA would not include the SDP.

    Which ESA is your wife claiming? Income Related, contributions based or New style ESA? Are you claiming any other benefits? or do you work?

  • ElkHound01
    ElkHound01 Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener

    I’m not actually sure what ESA my wife is claiming. I will check the paperwork. I am not claiming any other benefits and living on my work related pension.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 63,826 Championing

    If her ESA amount is £138.20/week (£276.40/fortnight) then this will be New Style or contributions based. I suspect it's either of those due to your pension because your pension would reduce her Income Related ESA and you would need to be named on that claim.

    If this is the case then you claiming carers allowance for looking after her will not affect her ESA. On the slim chance it's Income Related then the carers allowance would be deducted from her ESA and they will add the carers premium. Carers allowance would then pay you as a separate payment.

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