Can my daughter get carers element in her UC award for looking after me?

Beesmummy798

Hi there hope everyone is well. I'm just after a wee bit of advice for myself.
I currently receive UC, ESA CB (LCWRA). I have recently applied for PIP in May, but that will be a long way off being finalised and a decision made I'm sure. 
Anyway.. My daughter has her own UC claim, she lives on her own with her 6month baby, my grandson ?
My question is can she apply for carer element in her UC claim for looking after me? She comes every day to help look after me for the most part of the week? I don't want it to reduce any of her payments as she couldn't cope on less money. 
Thankyou your help would be so much appreciated x

janer1967

Hi there 

You need to get pip daily living for anyone to claim carers for you 

Once you have a decision and a award she can apply and it won't affect her uc 

She needs to care for you for 35 hours or more 

Beesmummy798

@janer1967 thankyou so much for this info x

calcotti

She can't be paid the carer element if she already gets the LCWRA element.

Assuming she doesn't get the LCWRA element, if your daughter already looks after you for 35 hours/week I recommend she records a change of circumstances about caring responsibilities in her UC journal. She should explain that she looks after you and that you have applied for PIP. When you get a PIP decision, if you have been awarded Daily Living she should then be able to get the carer element backdated. If she gets it he carer element will be worth an extra £163.73/month to her and will also meant that she is not expected to look for work even when your grandson is older. 

Beesmummy798

@calcotti this is great thankyou. I would never have thought to do that x