Carers allowance

Hi Mm,

Thanks for your query.
Unfortunately under UC there are no premiums.You may still get the equivalent of severe disability premium if you were previously on ESA before you changed over to UC. SDP is paid when you live on your own, (without other adults,) get at least the standard daily living rate of PIP or DLA and don't have a carer who claims Carer's Allowance. If you have been getting SDP or an equivalent then if your son claims Carer's Allowance, this is likely to stop. (This might also affect your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction. However, if you are not receiving a SDP equivalent, then your UC benefit should remain the same.

To claim Carer's Allowance your son would need to care for you for at least 35 hours each week, and have earnings under £128 per week. If your son's only income would Carer's Allowance, then he could also claim UC as well. There is more information about claiming Carer's Allowance here, and a form -
www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/how-to-claim

It is always wise to seek advice from a welfare benefits specialist before making a benefit claim, to ensure that there are no complications. Also the advisor would be able to make calculations and work out which benefit/s would be available.

I hope this helps.

LL26