Is there any point claiming carers allowance if in receipt of universal credit

[AutisticID]

I currently claim universal credit and am the carer for my DC who get DLA. I get the “carers element” as part of my universal credit payment.
I’ve read that I can claim carers allowance, but it will be deducted pound for pound from universal credit. So I haven’t as that seems pointeless. Am I missing anything by not claiming? It seems pointless to claim carers allowance for the same amount to be deducted off UC! Thanks 😊

The advantages are that carers allowance can be paid weekly so it may help budgeting. You get a Christmas bonus although only £10 ! Also claiming carers allowance means a better class of NI contributions for you. I think if you live in Scotland there are other benefits, carers grants etc maybe. I tend to advise people it is worth claiming, especially as if for example you met a partner and their wages meant you could not claim UC anymore or you won or inherited a substantial amount meaning you could no longer claim UC, you could still get carers allowance as it's non means tested.

What Babyroobs said plus if you wanted to claim 30 hours childcare, but didn’t meet the work criteria the carers allowance is a relevant benefit for eligibility.

The main advantage of claiming Carers Allowance rather than UC is that you will gat National Insurance Contributions (NIC). This will help with your state pension eventually and means that you will be able to claim any other NIC related benefits if things change. There are some other benefits - especially for carers in Scotland. Here's the link to the Carers UK website which spells it out in full:

www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/help-with-benefits/carers-allowance

Another vote for you will get NI credits.

Thank you. I’ll get cracking and apply.

@Babyroobs Carers allowance isn't strictly means tested but it isn't a universal benefit- even working part time can stop your eligibility (even though you will still be caring way more than 35 hours)

[quote Outnumbered99]@Babyroobs Carers allowance isn't strictly means tested but it isn't a universal benefit- even working part time can stop your eligibility (even though you will still be caring way more than 35 hours)[/quote]
I never said it was a Universal benefit did I ?