Child element and carers element

[bonnie2055]

Hi everyone can't find info online so thought I'd ask here.
In November last year my dd was awarded middle DLA
and low mobility.

I had no idea of what other benefits I could claim on UC.
So I signed up for carers element and child disability element on UC today

Was just wondering did they backdate any child disability element or carers element if so was it backdated from the start of DLA award.
I queried this and they said they needed to get back to me on that all fine!

When did you receive your first payment after being awarded child disability element and carers element?

TIA xx

Child disability element should be backdated.

What discussions gave you had with work coach previously about caring responsibility

Hi thanks for getting back to me! This is the first time iv ever spoke about the carers element as iv only found out today that this benefit existed, so the only discussion I've had are generally about child element that I would still be eligible for it even with my working hours.

Do you meet the criteria for carers element then? 35hrs of care a week?

They may or may not backdate. Normally you should report a change a month or within the assessment period.

Have you ever had a discussion with work coach that you are caring for a disabled child so difficult to attend meetings at certain times or that your working hours are restricted due to this? Stuff like that helps evidence that they knew you had caring issues even if the appropriate benefit wasn’t in payment.

Hi unfortunately besides today iv had no further discussion I wasn't entitled to UC until 2 months ago when I had to swap to part time hours. I was working full time and did not have to attend meetings

And yes I provide 35 hours of care to my dad

DD not dad

I didn't initially realise I could get disabled element and carer. It was only a month or so before I realised as I got upset when they were pushing me to work and I can't because I'm a carer and the nice lady told me to claim it. But they didn't backdate as apparently I should have known about it and claimed at the time.

That's a shame it's not really clear online what benefits you can get as I thought the carer allowance was the same as the carer element in which it isn't! If it wasn't for me digging online I would have been none the wiser I'm glad someone was able to tell you!

when you started receiving UC two months ago was this a new claim or was your previous months assessed as nil because of your earnings?

The problem is that when you initially claimed you would have been asked the question Do you care for anyone and a series of questions. They will say you should have reported any changes to those questions via a change of circumstances. All questions asked have relevance as they would have been looking to see if you were a carer back then.

Was on UC but UC reduced to NIL due to work earnings