I am thinking about claiming carers element in my universal credit. I care for my disabled dad but I don’t want him to lose his disability premium. My work coach has told me today that only if I claimed carers allowance would he result in losing his disability premium and that claiming the carers element will not reduce his payments because I will have what they call an underwhelming entitlement too carers allowance and because my universal credit works out at more money than CA I can just receive the caring element in my UC and it won’t result in my dad losing his disability premium.
How ever when searching the internet I got very confused as some websites state that anyone claiming caring element or carers allowance will result in my dad losing his disability premium. turnto a benefit site advertised by gov.co.uk states that only carers allowance and not carers element will affect the looked after person’s disability premium but other website’s state the exact opposite and my work coach too, I am really confused on the matter and no body seems to really know the answer to this
Dear James _2203
Hi i am Kristie and i am an online community host volunteer for Carers UK. I am very sorry to hear about your problem with your benefits and looking after your dad and i have a telephone number for Carers UK which might mean that you can get the answer that you need for your benefit issue. I will give you the number below.
So welcome to the forum! You are not alone in your caring role i am sure that many on here will understand exactly how you feel and will offer you the support that you need. Caring can be very lonely and the pandemic has made caring responsibilities challenging as many carers have been socially restricted and unable to attend social groups etc.
Carers UK are running two online weekly meet ups for carers and you can find the information on how to register at Care For A Cuppa:-Online meetups | Carers UK. The second only weekly meet up is called Share And Learn and can be found to be registered on here:- Share and Learn | Carers UK.
Our telephone number is 0808 808 7777 and the line is open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm. Our email address is (advice@carersuk.org).
They provide information and guidance to unpaid carers. This covers:-
-Benefits And Financial Support
-Your Rights As A Carer In The Workplace
-Carers Assessments And How To Get Support In Your Caring Role
-Services Available To Carers And The People You Care For
-How To Complain Effectively And Challenge Decisions.
Best Wishes
Kristie.