Carers Allowance/Tax Credits/Migration to UC?

[confusedbythesystem]

A recent change in circumstances means I need to increase the hours I spend caring for my Mum, which brings me within the scope of Carers Allowance.

I'm also about to be migrated from Child Tax Credits to Universal Credit (no other benefits). If it wasn't a managed migration I wouldn't have any entitlement to Universal Credit . As it is, I understand I'll have Transitional Protection.

I think Carers Allowance is treated differently between the two systems. Universal Credit is taken off pound for pound if you make a Carers Allowance claim. Tax Credits are also reduced, but not by as much.

Would it be better for me to claim Carers Allowance before Tax Credits stop? Tax Credits would be reduced so I'd have a lower amount of Transitional Protection when I move to Universal Credit. But would that mean they don't additionally adjust Universal Credits pound for pound because my payment is already under Transitional Protection?

Whereas if I wait until I move to UC, I presume the pound for pound deduction will apply straight away?

Any advice much appreciated, thanks. I may post this on Gransnet too, just for maximum advice 🙂

I think the change in circumstances would trigger a new claim so transactional protection wouldn't apply anyway.

I found I was better off not claiming carers on universal credit

Carer's allowance is useful because it gives you Class 1 National Insurance contributions. It is deducted £ for £ but you can also claim the carer's element of Universal Credit, which is £185 plus change.

Thank you both for the replies, I have applied for UC without Carers Allowance because sometimes my caring days and hours vary from week to week (which I don't think is allowed under Carer's Allowance). But I have applied for Carers Credit instead and will state the hours I'm unavailable for work to UC each week and see how that goes on.

@confusedbythesystem both benefits require you to be engaged in caring responsibilities for 35 hours per week. It doesn't matter when those hours are, and admin, telephone calls, shopping for you parent, etc., all count.