Carers / Motability

sugardoodle31
sugardoodle31 Online Community Member Posts: 11 Connected
in Benefits and income

Sorry this will touch on both subjects!

I am diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis, advanced spondylosis, nerve damage of the spinal cord in several places, osteoarthritis in both knees and ankles and PTSD. I have just had my PIP review and continue to be awarded enhanced mobility and daily living rates.

My symptoms have very suddenly got worse over the past few months, and my partner has stopped work and has to do a lot at home for me. I can’t grip with my right hand very well, so he preps food, makes drinks, sorts my meds… a lot of things. I struggle to wash myself mentally anyway (ptsd) but now physically too so my hair isn’t properly washed because I can’t lift my right arm long enough to wash it.
we are already on uc, I get lcwra esa as well as pip, can he get carers as he does do a lot for me but lives with me?

I am also needing a scooter from motability which I will be going to get next week. I need to get my daughter to school.
is it possible to get a scooter & car on motability or is it one or the other?
there are lots of appointments I need to attend so if we couldn’t have a car I would just get a blue badge instead so it isn’t a problem.

Thank you in advance for any help on this, it’s so confusing x

Comments

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

    As you're already claiming UC then your partner can claim carers element of UC. It makes no difference whether you live with them or not. To claim this your partner will need to log into their journal and report a change. Then click caring for someone and report it through there.

    They do not need to claim carers allowance to be entitled to carers element. If they claim carers allowance as well, this will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement so no financial gain.

    Unfortunately, you will not be able to have a car and mobility scooter at the same time with Motability. It's one or the other.

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 5,907 Championing
    edited January 5

    There won't be any financial gain to Carers Allowance, as it's deducted in full from your UC award.

    He can claim Carers Element under UC,

    https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/universal-credit-uc/additional-elements-of-universal-credit-uc

    which takes you to the maximum allowed for a couple:

    1x LCWRA

    +

    1 x Carers Element

    For Motability it is a scooter or a car, not both.

  • sugardoodle31
    sugardoodle31 Online Community Member Posts: 11 Connected

    Thank you both so much for your super quick replies! I really do appreciate it! xx


    Just to confirm as I know they are slightly different things. If he was to apply for Carers Allowance, that money would get paid to him weekly but ultimately be deducted from the Universal Credit and it would top up NI credits, and if applying for Carers element on UC it would flag on our claim that he is caring for me and he would get that element and it would not offer financial benefit as we already have the lcwra on there and this would also top up his NI credits?

    He is of working age so I want to ensure he is getting his NI credits still and get them the best way possible.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    edited January 5

    Yes, carers allowance, which is a separate benefit is deducted in full from UC. Yes, you can receive payments weekly and your partner would also receive class 1 NI credits.

    Do be aware if he claims carers allowance this does have an earnings limit if he returns to work in the future. Carers element of UC has no earnings limit.

    Your 2nd thoughts are not correct. Carers element will increase your maximum UC entitlement by £198.31/month. This would mean that your UC includes 1 LCWRA element and 1 carers element.

    You are thinking of the rules that the same person can't receive both carers and LCWRA element. There's no rules that a couple can't claim 1 element each.

    Your UC includes class 3 NI credits for both of you.

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 5,907 Championing
    edited January 5

    Your understanding isn't quite correct.

    The maximum award for a couple under Universal Credit is:

    1x LCWRA

    PLUS

    1 x Carers Element

    Carers Allowance would then be deducted in full from your total monthly UC award.

    Your partner would receive CA payment weekly and Class 1 NI Contributions (UC pays Class 3).

  • sugardoodle31
    sugardoodle31 Online Community Member Posts: 11 Connected

    Ahhh thank you so much, this makes so much more sense.
    I will discuss with him! Thank you both so much for your help and advice xxx

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