UC disability element and Carer’s Allowance earnings rules over 30 days

6 replies

FortnamsTea · 23/07/2026 10:06

Clearly I need to ask CAB (my local one only gives you the phone to call UC yourself & PIP national line will only help with new applications) or on Journal section of my UC account (have no work coach as a Carer so don't get replies)

1st QuL I'm in receipt of £424 standard allowance. I get some carers allowance.
I am disabled myself & do not get any extra allowance for that via UC
(I do get PIP). Is this correct please?

2nd Qu: Under the Carers Allowance (I get as transitioned across) I can earn up to £204 p/w as long as I still fulfil my Carers duties. Would this just be taken straight off my UC (total £750 p/m) so nowhere near minimum income etc.

OP posts:

TwoBlueFish · 23/07/2026 10:55

Q1 Do you have LCWRA or LCW on your UC claim? If you do you may be entitled to an additional element.

Q2 Carers Allowance is an overlapping benefit so will be deducted £ for £ from your UC so no financial benefit in claiming. You should add carers element to your UC claim which does not have a work earnings limit and still turns off work commitments. It’s worth £209.34

Original poster

FortnamsTea · 23/07/2026 11:18

@TwoBlueFish No I don't have either? I am awarded Carers part of UC but that is deducted as I get Carers Allowance (& Transitional Protection amount)

So: £424.90 (standard UC) plus £209.34 Carers plus £447.52 (TP): £1,081.70
They deduct £374.62 re the separate Carers allowance I get, so: £707.14.

I get PIP (actually Adult Disability Payment as I am in Scotland) at medium rate for both Care & mobility. At present no one claims carers for me. (DD, 19 possibly could as she helps quite a bit with cooking, shopping, laundry etc)

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TwoBlueFish · 23/07/2026 11:23

which legacy benefits were you on previously? ESA? If yes did you have a work capability assesment? It’s all a bit complicated with transitional protection so sounds like you could really do with someone sitting down to review your claim. Do you have a welfare rights or carers organisation nearby who could help?

Original poster

FortnamsTea · 23/07/2026 13:27

@TwoBlueFishI was on LCWRA for years. Tried work. 4m later signed off (disabled & they refused adjustments which made it impossible to continue). I left. I had CAB advice (different area). Then applied for Carers (this was 6 yrs ago).

Do you know if I earned £200 pw if that just comes off UC please?

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TwoBlueFish · 24/07/2026 21:48

Generally you loose 55p of UC for every £1 you earn. How it affects you will depend on if you have a UC work allowance. I’m also not 100% on how the transitional protection works when you start employment.

have you done benefits calculator? I’d really advise speaking to someone to get correct advice

https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Benefits calculators

Find out what benefits you could get, how much you could get and how to claim

https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Original poster

FortnamsTea · 28/07/2026 11:57

@TwoBlueFish
I called UC today & was told I have no work capability level on my claim. I can apply for this (via sicknotes then assessment at jobcentre) but that if it was awarded it would be 'taken off my Transitional protection £4£ so no point'.
I asked about employment (I can earn up to £205/wk under the Carers rules) but I was told this would stop my TP too & I would only keep 45p/£1 in the rest IF I was able to earn £820/m. So I'd end up with around £150 extra if I was lucky?
(highly unlikely with my carers duties which are 24/7 I could earn that anyway)
Not great news but I can only assume this is correct.

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Flip