Carers allowance and universal credit

gym
gym Community member Posts: 26 Listener
in Benefits and income

HI all.I have been caring for my elderly neighbour for about 2 years without wanting anything in exchange, however yesterday the person I care for mentioned that I could claim carers allowance. I am currently receiving universal credit as a single person, I get the standard allowance. I was wanting to know if I would be worse off doing this.I currently receive housing benefit and a council tax reduction. What I wanted to know is would I have to pay full council tax if I get money for caring.if I have to pay full council tax then I would be worse off. If anyone could advise me please this would be much appreciated. Thanks 😊

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,775 Championing

    I'm assuming your neighbour claims a qualifying disability benefit such as PIP daily living, DLA mid/high rate care or AA?

    If so, before you do anything else you need to make sure your neighbour isn't claim Severe disability Premium in with another benefit.

    If they are state pension age and above and they are claiming Pension Credit, this may include the SDP if they are living alone or treated as living alone.

    Claiming either carers allowance or carers element of UC for looking after them will stop the SDP and this could also stop their pension credit, which could then affect any other benefits they maybe claiming such as Housing Benefit and Council Tax reduction, as well as the Winter Fuel Payment.

    If they are under state pension credit SDP could also be included in other means tested benefits such as Income Related ESA/JSA or Income Support.

    Once you've found out that information then please come back and let me know and then I'll advise you further.

  • gym
    gym Community member Posts: 26 Listener

    HIHpoppy.he receives attendance allowance,he is 81 years old and gets winter fuel payments.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,775 Championing
    edited August 24

    Does he live alone? If so you need to check if he's claiming Pension Credit as I advised above. If he does and you claim either carers allowance or carers element of UC for looking after him then it can seriously affect his income, if pension credit includes the SDP.

    If pension credit stops it will also affect the Winter Fuel Payment due to the changes announced by the Government recently.

  • gym
    gym Community member Posts: 26 Listener

    Yes he lives alone and does not get pension credit.only attendance allowance

  • gym
    gym Community member Posts: 26 Listener

    HI poppy.I am with the gentleman now.he does get pension credit and attendance allowance.

  • gym
    gym Community member Posts: 26 Listener

    HI poppy

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,775 Championing
    edited August 24
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/902497#Comment_902497

    I'm very happy that you checked! If he has a recent Pension Credit letter he can check the breakdown of the calculation and it will tell him.

    It may say something like "because you're severely disabled" Or Severe disability Addition/Premium, which is currently £81.50/week. It would have been slightly less than that in previous years.

    As he lives alone I would expect this to be included in the calculation.

  • gym
    gym Community member Posts: 26 Listener

    Hi poppy.he gets £105 per week pension credit.there is nothing for any sort of disability

  • gym
    gym Community member Posts: 26 Listener

    Hi poppy.ive decided not to claim carers allowance. It's too complicated and I don't want it to affect me,as I have only just got myself sorted out.I will just continue to look after the gentleman as I have been doing. I would like to thank you for your advice on this matter.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 59,775 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/902544#Comment_902544

    He’s entitled to the Severe Disability Premium because he lives alone so I’d advise him to contact Pension Credit to claim it.

    You can claim carers element of UC for looking after him, providing your UC doesn’t include the LCWRA element because you can’t receive both together. However, he would not be entitled to SDP if you claim this.

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