UC advice needed as totally confused

[universallyConfused]

I have a few questions I just can’t find the answer to and wondered can anyone help ?

1). If one parent is already a carer for the dc and other parent works but they decide to both not work (2 dc get dla) does the parent not currently claiming CA need to put that claim in and receive CA before they apply for UC?

2). under ctc the 2 child limit doesn’t apply for older dc so we get child element for 3 of the children - will that continue on UC or will we only get for 2 of them ?

3. how difficult is the process? Will
   we have to have an in person appt and how long does it take ? Or is It all online ?

4. should the currently working parent give up work and claim immediately or do we need to wait till the next month or a certain time after last wage?

thanks so much

Can’t answer all your questions but
3) it takes about 15-20 mins online, it’s quite straightforward (not like the old style forms you had to fill in) you will need to upload proof or ID and housing costs - they may ask you to go into a centre for this

4)the date you apply becomes the start of your assessment period, so if you apply on the 10th, you get assessed from the 10Th of one month to thr 9th of the next month……if you are working you want to make sure you leave a few days either side of your work pay day so that your assessment day doesn’t fall on same day (as if you get paid a day early or late you could end up with 2 work pays in one assessment period)

Ok so if she stops work and a week later we claim that becomes the assessment period ?
he would only have carers allowance then as his income so should be ok ?

im finding it really confusing !

she-dh

I had to wait to transfer from ctc to uc until i only had 2dc under 18yrs old left at home

If the carers allowance claim is still being processed at time of application for UC will that be ok ?
we could show the DLA awards for more than one dc so they would be able to see we are both eligible to be classed as carers I assume

We are currently on old system of tax credits whilst dh works but I think we need to change to UC for him to be allowed to not work and be a carer as well

You need to make sure you receive your last pay before you claim for UC as your earnings from work get reported directly to UC

There is a good Facebook group where people who have worked for the job centre offer advice - Benefit advice essentials

I'm pretty sure you can only make one claim for carer's allowance per household. You can get it at a higher rate for two but you should have that anyway if both get DLA or PIP.

Are you sure you can bath claim caters? I don't think you can but may be wrong

You can get caters at a higher rate if you care for two? This is news to me. Are you sure? Because I need to look into it if that's the case!

Yes we definitely can once dh gives up work as then we are both carers and no requirement to work

Currently 2 dc get dla I get carers for one
dh can only claim for other dc if he stops work then we can claim UC both as carers

Hey there,

Im new ! I just posted a question regarding UC but im not sure I posted it in the correct place.

I was wondering if someone could offer some helpful advice ?

Thank you x

You can as long as it’s for different people.

OP it would be worth getting a benefits check before you swap over.

Both of a couple can claim one carers element each as long as they are each caring for a different child. neither need to be claiming carers allowance to claim the carers element. Carers allowance is deducted from UC pound for pound.

Totally incorrect on both counts.

You don't have to change. You could stay on child tax credits and both claim carers allowance. However it is very likely you would be significantly better off on UC, especially if you have rent to pay. get a proper better off calculation done by CAB before switching.
Yes on Uc you will get child element for all three if born before April 2017.
Leave at least a few days after your dh's last pay day before claiming as if those wages fall in your first assessment period it may wipe out any entitlement although this is unlikely with 2 disabled child elements and a carers element on the claim but does depend how much your dh earns.

You can get carers element without carers allowance you just need the dla for the person you are caring for.

You can get 2 lots of carers element. You can get carers element even if you are working, carers allowance will be deducted in full from UC.

You should wait until the day after any pay has been paid before making a UC claim as any pay made to you after the claim will reduce your first payment (or the day after your usual pay day if you decide to keep working)

You will get paid for any children born before april 2017

The application is online, you can provide some proof online, but you may need to go in to hand in proof or prove your identity and you will need an initial commitment appointment where they explain your commitments

Yes we have rent - currently unable to put a claim for HB under tax credits system we were told would get full help on UC but cannot claim under CTC so I think we would be better off on UC?

im so overwhelmed if I’m honest

Ok so on your first UC statement you need to check that you have all the correct elements. You should have a couples element, 3 x child elements and 2 x disabled child elements ( I think they lump all these together), 2 x carers elements and a rent element. Then if you are already claiming carers allowance, that will continue to be paid seperately and deducted monthly from your total UC as an averaged amount ( weekly carers allowance amount x 52 divided by 12). Once your dh's carers allowance is awarded, then that will also be deducted but can take up to 12 weeks to be awarded, so unlikely to be awarded by the time your first statement comes through.

just know that whatever you get in carers allowance will be taken off UC.

i get 260 a month CA and UC take of the equivalent

So does dh have to claim it if the amount will be the same regardless or is it more he needs the carers allowance award in his name so they know he can’t work or is it enough they just see dc dla award ?

i would still claim it for the carers element but know that any backdation pay he gets, he will have to pay back to UC.

i use entitled to or turn 2 us which is pretty good but i was screwed abit as Carers allowance gave me 2k backdation. I now owe UC 2k. - _- i didnt realise it would all be taken, means that i also dont get a penny to physically care for my mum as im not entitled to the carers element of UC because im mentally disabled so i get limited capability to work element.

He can choose not to claim carers allowance and still get the carers element of UC. The advantage of claiming carers allowance alongside UC are that claiming it credits him with a better class of NI contributions whilst not working, Carers can be paid weekly so may help budgeting/ cash flow and when claiming Carers allowance the carer gets a £10 Christmas bonus !