Can anyone advise on this Universal credit change of circumstances please?

[MrsRobbieHart]

I went onto my journal to advise that my child has been awarded lower rate care element of DLA. I’m not sure which option I need to select to notify of the change. I selected the “caring for someone” option but it asks when this change happened. I’ve always been his carer, It’s just that the DLA has finally been awarded now. So what date do I put? Or do I not choose this option? I don’t qualify for carers allowance as it’s just the lower rate I get.

I don't think you'll get carers element for lower rate care. I'm pretty sure it needs to be middle rate care.

Entitled to says I will get something, however that’s not what I’m asking. I’m asking which option I select to record the change?

@MrsRobbieHart

Entitled to says I will get something, however that’s not what I’m asking. I’m asking which option I select to record the change?

I think it might be that you need to go into reporting a change on the child section. I think it then asks if the child is disabled.

Thank you

You're not entitled to Carers Allowance or the Carers Premium (part as part of your UC) because he only gets the lower rate and not middle or higher rate DLA.

However, I believe you will be entitled to the disabled child element which is an extra £128.89/month as part of your UC.

For the effective date of the change, put the date that his DLA award started.

Of course you are his carer and always have been, it's just that you won't extra for caring unless he gets the middle or higher rate care component.

I took a while to write my post and meanwhile Babyroobs nailed it more clearly and succinctly

@AnotherEmma

I took a while to write my post and meanwhile Babyroobs nailed it more clearly and succinctly

Meanwhile I was busy checking whether lower disabled child rate was paid on lower rate DLA but you go there first !!

Stick a wee note in your journal if u get stuck and hopefully the case worker can signpost u

I thought I could just leave a note but the only option says to leave a note for my work coach- this isn’t a work issue so is that the right person to inform?

The disabled child element is what entitled to said I would get.

I know I’ve always been his carer and that I don’t qualify for carers allowance. I was just wanting to know what date I should put for when I became his carer. I’m terrified of putting the “wrong” date and being sanctioned or something.

@MrsRobbieHart

I thought I could just leave a note but the only option says to leave a note for my work coach- this isn’t a work issue so is that the right person to inform?

The disabled child element is what entitled to said I would get.

I know I’ve always been his carer and that I don’t qualify for carers allowance. I was just wanting to know what date I should put for when I became his carer. I’m terrified of putting the “wrong” date and being sanctioned or something.

If you leave a message under payments, I believe it goes straight to your case manager.

Thanks I’ll do this.

@MrsRobbieHart

I thought I could just leave a note but the only option says to leave a note for my work coach- this isn’t a work issue so is that the right person to inform?

The disabled child element is what entitled to said I would get.

I know I’ve always been his carer and that I don’t qualify for carers allowance. I was just wanting to know what date I should put for when I became his carer. I’m terrified of putting the “wrong” date and being sanctioned or something.

Perhaps you're updating the wrong bit, you haven't become a carer (in the sense that you haven't become eligible for the Carer's element), the change of circumstances is about your child, is there an option to update your child(ren)'s details? That's where you would add information about your child's disability and DLA.

The relevant date is the DLA start date. But if it asks you when you became your DC's carer I guess you just put their DOB. You wouldn't be sanctioned for a genuine error for this kind of thing.