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Original poster

Universal credit and caring

89 replies

SeemsPointless · 10/05/2023 16:21

Hi all,

MN was fantastic in helping me with a query re UC the other day so I'm hoping someone here might know the answer to this.

Situation: I started a UC claim in Feb, I am a F/T carer for DM, but I also work on a self-employed basis. I only earn a modest amount but my income is too high for Carer's Allowance, so I've never claimed it.

The UC man told me yesterday that I if I claim the Carer's element of Universal Credit, my DM will lose some of her money - she gets DLA at the highest rates (she has cerebral palsy - I've been her carer my whole life).

The problem is, the UC man said he didn't know how much money Mum would lose - said it should only be "a bit". He said he had never encountered a situation before where someone was a carer but had earnings that were too high for Carer's Allowance, so he had no idea what the actual figures would be....

I really don't earn very much, and getting the carer's element of UC would really help. But I don't want to take money out of Mum's pocket! Mum has told me to tell UC I am her carer - I have been named on her DLA paperwork for years. But she doesn't know that she'll lose money.

Can anyone tell me, or point to where I can find out, exactly how much money Mum would lose if I start receiving the carer's element of UC please? I can't seem to find anything online!

If I get more than she would lose, I could pay her back and still have a bit extra.

Really grateful for any help.

OP posts:
TuesandThursNero · 10/05/2023 16:24

But if your income is too high for it anyway?

SouthCountryGirl · 10/05/2023 16:27

TuesandThursNero · 10/05/2023 16:24

But if your income is too high for it anyway?

But the carers premium means the op may qualify

As I understand it, your mum would only lose her severe disability premium of £74 ish a week if you claimed carers for her and not just the premium within UC.

CAB or the UC helpline should be able to confirm that for you

TuesandThursNero · 10/05/2023 16:35

To get the carers element of UC you need to be entitled to Carers allowance

You also need to be entitled to Carer’s Allowance. You don’t actually need to be receiving it, but you must meet the eligibility criteria.

Carer's Allowance | Carers UK

https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/carers-allowance/

Original poster
SeemsPointless · 10/05/2023 16:41

TuesandThursNero · 10/05/2023 16:35

To get the carers element of UC you need to be entitled to Carers allowance

You also need to be entitled to Carer’s Allowance. You don’t actually need to be receiving it, but you must meet the eligibility criteria.

I am entitled to Carer's Allowance, I could technically claim for it but receive no money but there didn't seem any point.

The UC people have said that I am still entitled to receive the Carer's Premium for DM, even though I'm not in receipt of Carer's Allowance and haven't claimed for it.

It's all very complicated, isn't it?!

OP posts:
TuesandThursNero · 10/05/2023 16:42

So despite working full time you care for a min of 35 hours a week

Original poster
SeemsPointless · 10/05/2023 16:43

SouthCountryGirl · 10/05/2023 16:27

But the carers premium means the op may qualify

As I understand it, your mum would only lose her severe disability premium of £74 ish a week if you claimed carers for her and not just the premium within UC.

CAB or the UC helpline should be able to confirm that for you

Show quote history

Aaaaah this might be what they are referring to!! Mum doesn't get the severe disability premium because it's means-tested and she doesn't qualify.

Is this the only element she could lose? She couldn't lose her basic entitlement to DLA (she gets high rate care and high rate mobility)?

Thank you also for the link @Daydreamer123456.

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 10/05/2023 16:43

Which means tested benefit does your mum get ? She won't lose any of her actual DLA but if she claims a means tested benefit like income related ESA or Pension credit and receives a severe disability premium on that benefit she will lose this sdp if you claim carers element of UC . It will be the same amount as carers allowance is. If she doesn't claim any means tested benefits then she won't lose anything.

ladykale · 10/05/2023 16:43

TuesandThursNero · 10/05/2023 16:42

So despite working full time you care for a min of 35 hours a week

This is the part I don't get either. How are you a full time carer and also work FT?

Original poster
SeemsPointless · 10/05/2023 16:43

TuesandThursNero · 10/05/2023 16:42

So despite working full time you care for a min of 35 hours a week

Yep. And some more......

Last night I was up working until 6am. And then up again at 8am. I'm absolutely bloody knackered.

OP posts:
Original poster
SeemsPointless · 10/05/2023 16:45

ladykale · 10/05/2023 16:43

This is the part I don't get either. How are you a full time carer and also work FT?

Show quote history

I'm self-employed and work through the nights, and the weekends.

I also have two disabled DC.

I get very little sleep and I'm absolutely knackered.

We are currently in the process of building an annexe for DM so I will be able to care for her more easily. She often rings me at night as she can't breathe and I have to hotfoot it over at 3am.

OP posts:
TuesandThursNero · 10/05/2023 16:46

And you have two disabled children at home Op?

TuesandThursNero · 10/05/2023 16:48

Oh and a DH signed off sick and can’t even travel alone

Original poster
SeemsPointless · 10/05/2023 16:49

TuesandThursNero · 10/05/2023 16:48

Oh and a DH signed off sick and can’t even travel alone

Yes to all of that.

Life is pretty fucking rotten at the moment, tbh.

OP posts:
TuesandThursNero · 10/05/2023 16:50

You work full time

you care full time for your mother, minimum 35 hours a week

you have a husband signed off and can’t even travel alone

you have two disabled children

if we are skeptical op, DWP will be too

TuesandThursNero · 10/05/2023 16:50

Do you receive anything for your disabled children?

Pussycatbeen · 10/05/2023 16:53

When I started receiving carer's allowance they basically took away the care element of the higher rate disability allowance (as that's supposed to be for paying carers), then gave half of it to the carer, thus making money out of the disabled person and carer (while still having them vilified as scroungers in the gutterpress).

Babyroobs · 10/05/2023 16:55

Can you claim carers element for one of the children assuming one of them gets at least middle rate care on DLA. If / when your mum comes to live with you if she was getting sdp then she would lose that anyway as you only get it if living alone or if all the other adults in the household also get a disability benefit.

Babyroobs · 10/05/2023 16:56

Pussycatbeen · 10/05/2023 16:53

When I started receiving carer's allowance they basically took away the care element of the higher rate disability allowance (as that's supposed to be for paying carers), then gave half of it to the carer, thus making money out of the disabled person and carer (while still having them vilified as scroungers in the gutterpress).

No-one loses anything from the actual disability benefit. It is only sdp which is affected.

Original poster
SeemsPointless · 10/05/2023 16:57

TuesandThursNero · 10/05/2023 16:50

Do you receive anything for your disabled children?

DS is 13 and still in nappies. DD has lower needs but still significant. At age 10 her assessed age was around 6 or 7.

It's fine to be sceptical. If you could see my children, see my DP and see my DM - and see how utterly, utterly fucking wrung-out and exhausted I am, you wouldn't doubt it.

DWP aren't doubting it. They've accepted me as a carer because they say I have no work requirements. But they forgot to add in the carer's premium so I have to report it as a change.

If you actually want to know - until about 8 years ago, I was the sole carer for my dad who had Huntington's disease too. So compared to that, life is actually easier now.

You don't need to believe me. I had a really well paid job until I had DC - premature birth, disabilities from the off etc etc. Single parent. Honestly, I couldn't make this shit up if I tried.

This isn't my usual user name either. People would probably recognise me and actually I've given enough info here to probably tie the two up.

It's fine not to believe me - I understand it sounds improbable. I am autistic and have ADHD myself - and if I didn't, I probably wouldn't be able to cope on as little sleep as I do.

Until DP went off sick last year I hadn't bothered to claim. I've now put claims in for both DC - it's been suggested that DS will be high rate, DD probably medium to high. I think medium rate.

Anyway, I'm just here for advice because I don't want mum to lose out. I'm new to claiming benefits and I am struggling to find the information I need.

OP posts:
Pussycatbeen · 10/05/2023 16:58

To all the unpleasant comments sceptical of the OP: full time carer means 35 hours a week, when these hours are isn't stipulated.

Typical Mumsnet rabid far-right attacks on the poor. There was a thread a few months ago where people were attacking a mother caring full time nights for her disabled child for not working full time as well. No one can get it right unless they're born rich!

TuesandThursNero · 10/05/2023 17:01

So you also receive carers premium for your children? Or does your partner?

TuesandThursNero · 10/05/2023 17:02

So you have put in claims for carers allowance for your children.

and now you will be for your mother

and you think the DWP will accept that you work full time and care full time for two children and care full time for your mother?

Babyroobs · 10/05/2023 17:03

Op you can claim carers element for your mum but if getting sdp she would lose that. Or you could wait and if DLA awarded at MR care or above then you and your dh could both claim one carers element for each child if he also provides 35 hours care. Or doe she get LCWRA on UC- if so then he could not also get a carers element.

TuesandThursNero · 10/05/2023 17:03

Your child is in nappies

and you have never claimed carers allowance before now? 😐