Carers Allowance overhaul

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Noidea19
Noidea19 Online Community Member Posts: 70 Contributor
in Benefits and income

Does any one know if the Government are planning an overhaul of Carers Allowance?

I don’t believe I will have a work/ earnings allowance as my children are over 18 and I’m not pursuing lwcra even though I’d most likely get it.

With all these possible changes I’d rather just stay caring and not worry constantly. It’s just a shame I can’t do a few hours work when or if able to make life financially a bit easier without it all being taken off me.

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  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    I can't see them changing the work allowance laws. If your UC still includes a child element for your children then you'll be entitled to it. Being 18 doesn't end that work allowance.

    If you think you would qualify for either LCW or LCWRA then it's definitely worth going through the process of the work capability assessment, even if it's just for the work allowance because you would be entitled to it if found to have either of those.

    If found to have LCWRA there's extra money from the 4th month after you provided your first fit note. However, in this situation the same person can't receive both carers element and LCWRA at the same time and you would just receive the higher element, which is LCWRA.

    If claiming UC with a partner they can claim carers element, while you claim the LCWRA element.

  • Noidea19
    Noidea19 Online Community Member Posts: 70 Contributor

    thank you for this, if I do apply for LCWRA will they expect me to look for work even though I’m a full time carer. If I was to do any work going forward it would have to be from home as my son needs full time care, ie being with him at all times. I’m a single person claim.

  • Noidea19
    Noidea19 Online Community Member Posts: 70 Contributor

    To your other point , I don’t get child element as my youngest has just started full time work.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/893760#Comment_893760

    No problem. You won't be expected to look for work because as a carer you have no work commitments.

    To start the work capability assessment process off you will need to report a change of circumstances. Then click health condition and report it through there. You will need to make sure you provide a fit note within 7 days of that and continue to provide them without any gaps until a decision is made.

  • Noidea19
    Noidea19 Online Community Member Posts: 70 Contributor

    ok thank you for your help

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