Carer element of UC

Mona8925 · January 28

My mum (71)claims her pension, AA (lower rate) and pension credits (as she claims AA) I am on UC, work 15 hours a week. My question is... if I claim the carers element of UC for her for being her carer (not carers allowance) does anyone know how this would affect her benefits? Which benefit would she potentially lose? Would be grateful for any help on this.

Thanks

Rachel_Scope · January 28

Hi @Mona8925 and welcome to the community. Here's some great information on eligibility and applying for the Carers Element https://www.homecare.co.uk/advice/how-can-i-get-carers-element-of-universal-credit#how-can-i-apply-for-universal-credit-carer's-element?

Are you caring for her for at least 35 hours a week? It shouldn't affect her benefits at all.

Mona8925 · January 28

Thank you. This is useful. Yes I do care for her 35 hours a week. I have been told that she would lose one of her qualifying benefits, but what i understand is you need to be on the premium rates, ie severe disability which she is not. I dont want her to lose pension credits, as it is a gateway to other help for her, which i would rather not mess it up for her.

Thankyou

Kimi87 · January 28

Please see advice given here:

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/140862/pension-credit

You might also want to check with a local welfare rights organisation, or Age UK for further guidance.

https://advicefinder.turn2us.org.uk/

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/age-uk-advice-line/#:~:text=Age%20UK%20Advice%20Line%3A%200800,7pm%2C%20365%20days%20a%20year

Biblioklept · January 28

@Mona8925 you need to check if she gets SDP with her pension credit because if she does it absolutely would impact her benefits and she would lose quite a lot of money!!

If she lives alone or only with other people that get PIP/DLA/AA then she more than likely gets SDP and you claiming carer element would mean she loses that, and some people lose pension credit entirely when SDP is removed! Please double check before you do anything - her SDP is likely a lot more than you'd get in carer element too ❤️

Mona8925 · January 28

@Biblioklept thank you for your reply. No she only gets the guarantee element of pension credits as she claims AA. It doesn't say anywhere on letters that she has sdp. It's so confusing.

Carer element of UC

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