can i cancel my carers allowance claim.

Hi british bulldog,
If your wife can no longer care for you I would suggest that she needs to write to CA at DWP and inform them. This is because it is your wife's claim. Write something like 'Due to increasingly poor health I am no longer able to provide 35 hours per week caring for my husband. Please therefore cancel my CA.' It may be possible to do this by phone, but always follow up with a letter, adding as as poken on the phone on [date]. Always include Name and NI Number on all sheets if paper and keep a copy.
Unfortunately you can't rely on CA department to inform ESA or vice versa!
You have said that you get a single SDP. SDP or severe disability premium is paid when a claimant has at least standard rate daily living or the equivalent under another benefit such as DLA. The claimant lives on his own and doesn't have anyone claiming CA for looking after them. Couples who both have PIP standard rate can both claim SDP when neither have anyone claiming CA for looking after them.
I am somewhat confused as to why you are getting single SDP so perhaps I have misunderstood this. It would be possible for you to both get SDP in the circumstances I have described above. Once your wife's CA has been cancelled, inform ESA and hopefully this will be sorted for you. If you need help to work benefit entitlement and how much you can receive please seek advice from a welfare benefits advisor eg CAB.
I hope this helps. Good luck.


LL26

Hi british bulldog

You have got that the wrong way round, if someone claims carers allowance for caring for someone the person they are caring for will loose the right to claim SDP if they are on a IR legacy benefits.

In your case as a couple you would get a SDP as a couple as you both have a qualifying benefit, as your wife gets CA for looking after you then you would not be eligible to claim SDP but your wife would as no one is claiming CA for looking after your wife.

As LL26 if your wife can no longer claim CA for looking after you due to ill health, providing you receive a IR legacy benefit such as IR ESA then you will also be entitled to apply for SDP, so contact DWP and let them know.

I have assumed that your wife receives an IR legacy benefit (joint claim) such as IR ESA as you state there is one SDP in your claim.

The SDP became payable from the first day that all three of the following applied.

1. You had an award of ESA and we’re receiving or were entitled to receive Income Related ESA.

2. You had an award of PIP Daily Living

3. You met the criteria for payment of the SD Premium, namely that you lived alone or were considered to be living alone and no one receives Carers Allowance against your PIP award or as a couple you can qualify if both you and your partner get a qualifying benefit (PIP daily living).

Gary