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Original poster

Help with maternity allowance and carers allowance

11 replies

MelissaD10 · 09/06/2023 11:44

I’ve just received a letter to say I can’t get my maternity allowance and carers allowance.
can you not get both at the same time? The letter doesn’t make much sense …

OP posts:
NewNovember · 09/06/2023 11:46

No you can't claim both.

RogerMeSidewaysAndCallMeBarbara · 09/06/2023 11:47

No you can't claim both

Original poster
MelissaD10 · 09/06/2023 12:09

Ohhh man that’s not good 😩 I didn’t think it would make a difference because I would still be “earning” via maternity allowance less than carers allowance.

OP posts:
Bromptotoo · 09/06/2023 12:18

They're both categorised as 'income replacement benefits' so only one is payable at any one time. In this instance it would probably be MA as that gives more money.

Might you be eligible for Universal Credit?

Original poster
MelissaD10 · 09/06/2023 12:36

I don’t think I’d be eligible for universal credit, my mum is joint carer for my son but obviously only one of us claimed the carers allowance and it was me.
I wonder if I could transfer that to my mum instead ..

OP posts:
NewNovember · 09/06/2023 12:49

MelissaD10 · 09/06/2023 12:36

I don’t think I’d be eligible for universal credit, my mum is joint carer for my son but obviously only one of us claimed the carers allowance and it was me.
I wonder if I could transfer that to my mum instead ..

Yes your mum can claim instead if her earnings are low enough.

Original poster
MelissaD10 · 09/06/2023 12:53

she Doesn’t have any earnings and just helps me with my son. Hopefully should be straightforward 🤞

OP posts:
NewNovember · 09/06/2023 13:08

MelissaD10 · 09/06/2023 12:53

she Doesn’t have any earnings and just helps me with my son. Hopefully should be straightforward 🤞

That will be fine then and she can backdate her claim
to the date you MA started /your caters ended. You can't transfer as such you will have to end your claim as currently it will stay active with no payments made and your mum can claim. Once MA ends she will have to end hers and you can re claim.

endlesslystandingonlego · 09/06/2023 13:12

Worth looking into UC if you've got less than £16k savings/assets, if your son is a child you'd get disabled child element (and not be affected by the benefit cap), so your max UC amount may be higher than you think. Also higher work allowance is applicable, so less deductions if you have a partner who works?

Have a look on entitledto or turn2us

Original poster
MelissaD10 · 09/06/2023 13:34

Thank you all for your advice think I’ll see about getting it changed to my mum and claiming ma for me. At least someone will benefit from it while I can’t

OP posts:
Bromptotoo · 09/06/2023 14:24

MelissaD10 · 09/06/2023 12:36

I don’t think I’d be eligible for universal credit, my mum is joint carer for my son but obviously only one of us claimed the carers allowance and it was me.
I wonder if I could transfer that to my mum instead ..

If you're single, over 25, living with your Mum and have a disabled child I think you would get some UC - around £220/month.

Obvs, savings, a partner you live with with or rent to pay the numbers will be different. Although you can't claim MA at the same time as Carers you can get the Carer Element in UC. However, receiving that would preclude your Mum from getting CA.

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