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Rainie123

Hi all I have been on universal credits since March... When I went for my appointment I told them I was in the process of claiming carers allowance... I thought it wouldn't affect my universal credits. Anyway I eventually received carers allowance back dated from March 2 weeks ago.. Now uc have sent me a note on my journal to ask if I'm getting CA... Just wandering will they take the back payment from me? And if so will it be in one lump sum... I just new it was to good to be true

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poppy123456

Hi,

I'm afraid when claiming carers allowance and another benefit like UC then the carers allowance is deducted £1 for £1 from your UC payments.

You need to make sure they are adding the carers element to your monthly payments. If they're not then you need to report a change on your journal, they will then add this element, it's £160 per month.

As you received the backdated carers allowance then they will deducted the carers element from this amount and you will then have an overpayment for the difference. You won't have to pay this back in one lump sum, it will be taken from your monthly UC amounts, so your monthly payments will be reduced further until the overpayment is paid back.

You will receive the carers allowance paid separately to the UC.

Rainie123

Thank you poppy.. That explains the under payment for this month.. Gosh it's so stressful.. How can I find out if they have added the £160 element... Sorry its all new to me... X

Adrian_Scope

Hello @Rainie123. I’ve found an example statement to show you, obviously yours will be different depending on your circumstances but if you have the carer element it will be visible on your statement breakdown like this:

I hope that helps!

Rainie123

Brilliant thank you Adrian great help.. X

Adrian_Scope

You're very welcome.

When they start taking back amounts from you the overpayment, you can request for these to be lowered by calling the debt management number. I'm led to believe they are usually very helpful.

Rainie123

I might have to do that because when i first claimed I had an advanced payment so they take money for that also overpayment of tax credits and now this... Although I'm very grateful it does make think about how people cope... Thanks again..

poppy123456

Unless you live in Scotland the only advantage to claiming carers allowance if you're claiming UC is the Class 1 NI that's paid with carers allowance. You can claim the carers element of UC without needing to claim the carers allowance.

Rainie123

Thanks for your feed back.. Surely they knew my circumstances when I first claimed.. Why don't they tell you this... Xxx

Adrian_Scope

Rainie123 said:

I might have to do that because when i first claimed I had an advanced payment so they take money for that also overpayment of tax credits and now this... Although I'm very grateful it does make think about how people cope... Thanks again..

There is a maximum they can take a month for overpayments and advance which is 40% of your standard allowance.
The advance can’t be lowered but it can be deferred for up to 3 months if you’re struggling and the overpayments can be negotiated and lowered.

Rainie123

Thanks I'm really glad I joined scope today been so helpful.. Lowered my anxiety levels.. ?

Adrian_Scope

Really nice to hear and I'm glad we've been able to help. I hope to see you around the community @Rainie123.