UC & carers allowance

[whycantitbecalm]

Anyone know if claiming carers allowance affects Universal Credit?
My son has just been awarded DLA, we've never done this before

If you're paid Carer's Allowance (CA)your UC will be reduced £1/£1 for CA paid.

However, if you are spending 35+ hours a week caring for someone getting DLA/PIP/AA then a Carer Element of £185.86/month can be added to you 'Max UC'. Unlike CA there is no income limit; you just need ticks in the boxes for time spent as a carer and the care recipient's benefits.

If you qualify for CA (ie no/low earnings) as well as the UC element it may be worth getting both as (a) CA being paid fortnightly might help budgeting/Cashflow and (b) CA provides better NI conts which may help later,.

What op says sounds right, although I have had a number of reports that people are being told they have to work 16 hours minimum on UC at job centres Working 16 hours plus can impact carers energy levels negatively especially on top of their caring responsibility. CA has no work expectation and provides NI credit.

I'm filling in a form for someone migrating to uc, but it just says are you claiming carers it doesn't say how many hours.

How can I make sure I fill in their claim correctly?

Agree with @Bromptotoo
@BBno4 If you get Carers Allowance then you have already demonstrated that you are caring 35+ hours a week so maybe reason they don’t ask hours you are caring.