How can my wife claim "underlying entitlement" for Carers Allowance?

exdvr

As we are both over retirement age we accept that we can't get Carers Allowance but exactly what do we have to do to prove underlying entitlement so that we can claim Housing/Council Tax relief?

poppy123456

Hi,

To claim an ‘underlying entitlement’ to Carer’s Allowance you have to meet all of the conditions for Carer’s Allowance and you must still make a claim for Carer’s Allowance.

Having an ‘underlying entitlement’ to Carer’s Allowance can increase any means-tested benefits you are already getting or might mean you become entitled to means-tested benefits for the first time. This is because the carer premium, carer addition or carer element can be included in the calculation for means-tested benefits.

exdvr

After spending what seemed like an eternity on the phone [thankfully an 0800 number] we finally got confirmation that my wife had been awarded ‘underlying entitlement’ way back in 2016!  Wish we had known this sooner...it could well have solved a few problems.