Mum can finally apply for Carer’s Allowance for Dad. How will this effect their UC?

oldestdaughter

Hi,

My dad has finally been approved for the higher weekly rate for both the daily and mobility parts of PIP, so my mum is able to apply for Carer’s Allowance too.

Currently, they’re a mixed age couple who receive UC, with the housing element, and my dad receives State Pension. However, his SP is reduced (by a lot!) due to receiving UC. 

I want to help my mum apply for the Carer’s Allowance but before I do, I want to know what exactly will change. Will their UC amount go down again? They’re barely able to make ends meet as it is. Can anyone give me an idea of how things will change?

oldestdaughter

Just to clarify, it’s their UC which is reduced because of his State Pension. The entire amount of his SP is deducted from their UC and it’s more than £600.

poppy123456

There's no financial gain to claiming Carers allowance when claiming UC because it's just deducted in full from any UC entitlement, in exactly the same way your dads State Pension is.

If your mum doesn't claim LCWRA element for herself then she needs to report a change of circumstances on her journal and tell them she's caring for your dad for at least 35 hours per week and then they will add the carers element (£168.81) to their maximum UC entitlement.

Does your dad or mum claim the LCWRA element for theirself? If they don't then your dad needs to report a change of circumstances and report his health condition and send in fit notes from his GP so that he can go through the work capability assessment.

If found to have LCWRA then he'll be entitled to an extra £354.28 per month from the 4th month after he reported a health condition.

More details here. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-quick-guide/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition

calcotti

poppy123456 said:

Does your dad or mum claim the LCWRA element for theirself? If they don't then your dad needs to report a change of circumstances and report his health condition and send in fit notes from his GP so that he can go through the work capability assessment. 

Dad doesn’t need to have a WCA. He needs to report the PIP award to UC. As a pensioner with enhanced rate Daily Living PIP he is automatically entitled to LCWRA. (I think the three month waiting period should be taken as started from the start of the PIP award.)

poppy123456

Thanks calcotti. I keep getting confused between those claiming standard daily living and Enhanced daily living. Only those on standard daily living (if state pension age) need the WCA, if they haven't already had it.