Carers Element

Jen87 · February 2023

Hi all, this is a bit of a long one. I only just realised this past week that I am entitled to the carers element of UC. I have been a full time carer for a severely disabled family member since October 2018, I was also awarded carers allowance the following month. My UC has obviously been reduced every month accordingly. I just feel incredibly stupid as I had no idea about the carers element all these years and it would have been such a helpful relief. I had a look on my journal, and I did notify them of my caring responsibilities that same month. I have called up UC helpline as there was no option for me to change my circumstances to caring for someone (only to tell them I’d stopped, which I haven’t) and the lady on the phone seemed confused about the whole situation and told me to state this on my journal. Which I have twice this past week, and not had any feedback from them

on my second phonecall they said they was nothing they could do and to wait for a response on my journal even though it’s been days now. any advice would be appreciated on how to approach them again. Thank you and apologies for the long message

calcotti · February 2023

Can you check - do you get the LCWRA element? If you do then you can’t get the carer element because you can’t get both.

If you don’t get LCWRA then you should have been getting the carer element and then should correct the award and pay arrears due.

Jen87 · February 2023

hi Calcotti,

no I do not get the LCWRA. They’ve finally responded on the journal just asking me to declare it under change of circumstances even though I’ve told them there’s no option for me to do that! There’s only two options, taking a break from caring or stopped caring. They’ve completely ignored my question of backpay or an explanation as to why it was never added. Frustrating when I’ve waited a whole week for that response

poppy123456 · February 2023

If there’s no option to report being a carer then and only options to stop or take a break then it means you’ve already reported it.

Put a note on your journal under the payment section and tell them you reported being a carer on x date but you haven’t been receiving the carers element.

Jen87 · February 2023

Hi Poppy,

I will do that now! Yes, I had declared it back in 2018 and am able to see exactly when it was recorded on my journal. Hopefully will hear back soon. Thank you

L_Volunteer · February 2023

Got my fingers crossed for you @Jen87. Please feel free to let us know how it goes and if you need any further support in the meantime

Jen87 · March 2023

Hello

just an update, I’ve left many messages on my journal to no response, it’s been 2 weeks, Ive also called the helpline many times, the first person said I will receive a phonecall within a week which didn’t happen and the latest person was so rude and said it was my duty to be aware of all the elements and that there’s nothing they can do and to make a complaint if I’m not happy! This has left me so upset, I actually don’t know what to do next as nobody is responding on the journal and the call handlers just want to get rid of me

poppy123456 · March 2023

When you're putting messages on your journal are you putting them under the payment section? Usually a case manager will see them if you do this.

Jen87 · March 2023

Hi poppy, yes after you advised that above, the last 2 messages were send via the payment section

poppy123456 · March 2023

You can contact your local MP and tell them exactly what's happened. Hopefully they will contact UC on your behalf. Very often this helps to get them moving. https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/

Jen87 · March 2023

Thank you! Really appreciate your advice

Carers Element

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