Help. My wife gets LCWRA. I'm her carer, but can't do it anymore. Will I lose the carer part of UC?

Glenterrie

Hi just wounding if anyone can help we are on universal credit with my wife and child my wife gets 

Limited capability for work and work-related activity I’m her career but I have to give up being her career as I have m e and can’t do it anymore will I use my career part of my universel credit many thanks 

poppy123456

If you can no longer care for your wife then yes you will lose the carers element. Are you aware that you don't have to be doing anything physical to care for her. Just sitting with her and supporting her is really all that's needed.

Glenterrie

Thank you I have my fit for work appointment next week hopefully be put in the  LCWRA

poppy123456

If your wife already receives the LCWRA element on your claim then even if you’re found to have this you will not receive the extra money. Only 1 LCWRA element per claim is allowed, unfortunately.

Glenterrie

Ok thanks for your help can I still get pip and careers 

poppy123456

PIP isn’t means tested so that doesn’t affect your UC. Carers element can continue providing you still care for her.

Glenterrie

Thanks for your help

Glenterrie

Can I still career element if we both get lcwra and don’t get career alliance 

poppy123456

Glenterrie said:

Can I still career element if we both get lcwra and don’t get career alliance 

If you’re found to have LCWRA you won’t receive that extra money because your wife already receives it. 

You can continue with the carers element if you’re still caring for her. 

Glenterrie

Ok so u can’t get career element without carers alliance 

poppy123456

When claiming UC you don’t need to claim carers allowance to be entitled to carers element. If you claim them both the carers allowance is deducted in full from your UC. 

Glenterrie

Ok thanks 

Gwawrandmilo

Hello

I hope someone could clarify something for me please?

We have finally received our migration notification for UC.

I am not working at the moment so will be entitled to LCWRA.

My husband is PT self employed but is also my carer and we have a child with disabilities. I receive PIP and our child receives DLA.

How do we claim the carers element on UC? Does the advisor do that for us?

Does he have to make a claim for carers allowance? I know that UC take that pound for pound. I'm just worrying at the moment. Thanks for reading this 🙏

poppy123456

@Gwawrandmilo are you transferring from ESA? If so and you’re in the Support Group then you’ll automatically be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of your claim.

If you’re not claiming ESA then you will need to report your health condition and provide a fit note and you will be referred for a work capability assessment.

Claiming PIP doesn’t automatically entitle you to LCWRA unless you’re state pension age or above.

For your partner to claim carers element they will need to report being a carer when they claim UC. Your UC will then include the carers element.

As they are self employed they will need to attend a gateway appointment with a work coach. As a carer they can’t be found to be gainfully self employed because they will have no commitments. They will still need to report their earnings and expenses on the last day of each assessment period.