Carers element change of circumstances

toronto10

hi I’m currently on universal credit and looking for work, my mum is disabled and receiving UC ESA and PIP I’m spending more time looking after her and we don’t live together, if I was to apply for carers element in UC change of circumstances what information do they require about her? Just her address, DOB and that she’s receiving a relevant disability benefit or national insurance number as well?

toronto10

My mum hasn’t had a lcwra assessment for just over 2 years, I was wondering what would be the best number to call to find out when her next review date/assessment would be? 

janer1967

Hi and welcome to the community 

The last thing you should do is call 

There are no set timescales for reviews and her award will remain in place until a review 

I have read that reviews have been put on hold for now due to massive backlogs in new claims which are being prioritised so I would expect your mum to have a review anytime soon 

toronto10

Thanks for info! From what you read did It say roughy how long reviews have been pushed back by? 

poppy123456

There's never any exact timescales for work capability assessments. LCWRA is an ongoing award until a new decision says otherwise. There's really no way of knowing exactly how long it will be but you'll know when a referral has been made because a letter will be uploaded onto the journal.

In the meantime there's nothing more to be done.

janer1967

No it didn't specify you should be able to find the post in recent discussions on here

toronto10

Hi I really appreciate info! I’m thinking of looking after my mum full time, do you know by any chance what info is required for carers element on UC? I was told just name, address and DOB of caree! 

calcotti

toronto10 said:

.. do you know by any chance what info is required for carers element on UC? I was told just name, address and DOB of caree! 

I think that is correct plus relationship to you.

toronto10

Ok thanks! I wasn’t sure if carers element ask for the carees NI number as well 

poppy123456

toronto10 said:

Ok thanks! I wasn’t sure if carers element ask for the carees NI number as well 

No, they don't ask for that. At least they didn't when my son in law claimed UC with the carers element for looking after his mother. They just needed her name, DOB and what benefit she claims.

toronto10

Ok thanks!  did your son in law put in the claim for carers element in the last year? 

calcotti

Oddly, I have been told that UC system generally relies more on post codes than NI numbers (but I can't verify that).

poppy123456

toronto10 said:

Ok thanks!  did your son in law put in the claim for carers element in the last year? 

Yes, he claimed carers element from the start of their UC claim.

toronto10

Thanks! I was told UC just send out a letter to caree afterwards to confirm they are cared for and that’s it? 

toronto10

Does the person being cared for have to sign anything before carers element is approved? Or do UC just send out a letter confirming what the caree has declared on form? 

poppy123456

toronto10 said:

Does the person being cared for have to sign anything before carers element is approved?

No.

toronto10 said:

 Or do UC just send out a letter confirming what the caree has declared on form? 

Potentially a letter is sent saying someone has applied for carers element for looking after them.

toronto10

Ok thanks I guess UC just verify the carer receives the right disability benefit on their systems and relationship to them and then don’t even bother send out the letter if their related 

julez39

Hi I am new here and not sure how to post , I am currently on UC since April 2020 . I recently put in fit notes from September 28th with no gaps till now . Received my WCA on Tuesday 2nd March . Do you know if I will be paid any backdated pay . My assessment period is the 14th - 13 of each month . 

poppy123456

julez39 said:

Hi I am new here and not sure how to post , I am currently on UC since April 2020 . I recently put in fit notes from September 28th with no gaps till now . Received my WCA on Tuesday 2nd March . Do you know if I will be paid any backdated pay . My assessment period is the 14th - 13 of each month . 

If you are found to have LCWRA then you will be paid the extra money from the 4th month of your claim starting from when you reported your health condition.

This means that you reported your health condition in assessment period 14th September to 13th October. Your waiting period will be Oct/Nov, Nov/Dec, Dec/Jan, LCWRA starts from AP 14th Jan to 13 Feb with first payment being 20th Feb so 1 month is owed up to now.

If found to have LCW then there's no extra money each month.

julez39

Thank you.  This is different information I was giving from the UC . They said am owed money right back to the date I put fit note in am so confused . I’ve never been unfit for work before so this is all I new process for me as I was understanding that lwc was around a payment of £128 . 

calcotti

julez39 said:

..I was understanding that lwc was around a payment of £128 . 

The LCW element of £128.89 is only payable to people found to have LCW prior to 3rd April 2017.