UC and DLA

[Worriednow21]

Hi
I work part time and claim UC. I receive middle rate dla for my ds, I get the disabled child element on UC. After reading many posts on here I was unaware that I should of been claiming the carers element of UC too.
Do I put in a new claim for carer's element, how far back will they backdate if any.
It's not made very clear when you claim the disabled child element, that you should be claiming carer's element too.

Forgot to add as I earn more than £128 I can't claim carers allowance.

It’s not something you claim, as such.

They ask about caring responsibilities when you claim. If you told them, and have now been awarded DLA for your DS, you might be able to backdate.

If he’s been getting DLA all along and you answered the question about caring accurately at the time, then they’ve made a mistake in not giving you Carer’s element and it’s worth asking for a reconsideration.

You can only back date it for 3 months but if you earn over that now like you say that ship has passed. Even if you weren’t working the Carers allowance gets taken off UC £ for £ so only really helps you passport other benefits or the benefit cap.

Carer’s allowance and carers element are two different things @Akire. She is saying she knows she wouldn’t have qualified for CA, but has realised that she qualifies for CE and has done for some time.

At least, that’s how I’m reading it.

I've been getting dla for the whole time of the claim. I just didnt realise that made me a carers even though I work part time. Can I add the carers part on now.

@Thoosa

Carer’s allowance and carers element are two different things *@Akire*. She is saying she knows she wouldn’t have qualified for CA, but has realised that she qualifies for CE and has done for some time.

At least, that’s how I’m reading it.

Yeah that exactly what I meant

Yes do it as a change of circumstances. Nothing to stop you requesting backdating while you’re at it. You might be lucky.

Thanks Thoosa :) , I'll add it on and see what happens.

In fact, I think there’s a question about when the change applies from, so in a way you’ll have to backdate it for it to make sense.

YW

Yes you can claim the carers element.
You need to go to the home page ( where your statement is issued) and report a change that you are now a carer. It will ask for details of who you care for.
Then you write a note on your journal asking for the carers element to be backdated to the date that the DLA was awarded from.
It is then up to a decision maker whether they back date it. There is no automatic back date. Whilst helping people in my job to do this I have only known one where it was refused.

@Babyroobs

Yes you can claim the carers element. You need to go to the home page ( where your statement is issued) and report a change that you are now a carer. It will ask for details of who you care for. Then you write a note on your journal asking for the carers element to be backdated to the date that the DLA was awarded from. It is then up to a decision maker whether they back date it. There is no automatic back date. Whilst helping people in my job to do this I have only known one where it was refused.

I've done this today thank you :) I just explained that I didn't know that i was entiled to the carers element. I got a message back saying it will go to a decision maker.

If they don't backdate it, request an Mandatory Reconsideration. Tell them that you told them from the beginning of your claim that your child was in receipt of DLA. You were not aware that the element existed and that your work coach failed to tell you. Therefore it was not possible for you apply sooner than now as you were simply not aware.

There is a website called universal credit essentials that cam provide support with things like this.

I never realised I could get carers element too. I requested backdate and is with decision maker. The disability element took 3 hours to make a decision but it seems they are taking their time with the carers element. How long did you wait? It's very frustrating they don't have a time frame to give 😔.