Carers element universal credit backdating

ShannJ97

I currently get uc with lcrwa and pip for my physical and mental health.

My best friend ( we live together ) cares for me an awful lot, little did we realise how much she actually does for me and it would be seen as being a carer although when we moved in together in july last year we never thought of adding carers element due to thinking she didnt care enough hours etc and plus she worked, we was told by CAB that she couldnt claim carers element or carers allowance when working. Also my care has increased recently after a operation i have had 11 months ago

So it comes to now where we was looking for support for her to get help for caring for me to find out that she could of claimed carers element part of uc all along. Now how do i go about this with universal credit?

Kimi87

When she reports the change (caring for you), as part of that process a date is asked for.

She can put a past date in.

She will then be asked why she has reported the change late.

It then goes to a Decision Maker who will decide when to award Carers Element from.

A letter should be put onto her Journal with the outcome.

If backdating is refused, she can ask them to look at the decision again (Mandatory Reconsideration), then appeal to an independent appeal tribunal if necessary.