Carer's Allowance taken away from my Universal Credit? — Scope | Disability forum
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Carer's Allowance taken away from my Universal Credit?

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Georgecov
Georgecov Community member Posts: 2 Listener
edited November 2019 in Universal Credit (UC)
Hi i am single father who cares for disabled woman .Why is it that when i was claiming income support and tax credits that carers allowance was extra income to help you it wasnt touched, but now on uc which is extremely low, take my CA away.   And now i also cant get free school meals for my son 

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  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 11,011 Scope online community team
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    Hello @Georgecov and welcome to the community.

    Carer's Allowance was always taken into account as income on all income-related legacy benefits. The deduction wasn't as obvious on Income Support because it didn't break it down in the way UC does. It's classed as an overlapping benefit so taken away.

    However, you should then be receiving the carers premium. On Universal Credit this is £160 and should appear as a separate section on your Universal Credit statement. Can I check that you are receiving this?

    Unless your income has changed or someone in the household is working and earning over the threshold, you should still be entitled to free school meals. Have you reapplied since switching to Universal Credit? 
    Community Manager
    Scope
  • Georgecov
    Georgecov Community member Posts: 2 Listener
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    I have aplied for meals on uc and got refused.He was getting meals in primary school but not now ? I am single no one works
    I was on income support and tax credits before i claimed careers and my money never changed they are loseing over 90 pound per week on uc
  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 11,011 Scope online community team
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    Hi @Georgecov. Are you sure everything is correct with your UC claim? That does seem a lot of money to be losing. 
    On your Universal Credit statement does it have the following sections:

    Standard Allowance
    Child Element
    Carer's Element
    (And Housing Element, if you rent)

    Then the deduction of £286 for overlapping Carer's Allowance?

    From the information you've given I can't understand why you'd be rejected for free school meals either. Did the decision letter give a reason? 
    Community Manager
    Scope

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