UC

Hi Jama
Most forms of income are taken into account against a Universal credit award - in other words, the income reduces the universal credit award.

You do normally get extra universal credit money when you claim carers allowance; because you have an award of CA, you are entitled to an addition on your universal credit claim called carer element.

It is possible that you could already have the carer element, because under universal credit, you don't necessarily have to have carers allowance to get that element. You just need to be substantially caring for the disabled person you care for.

Another possibility is that you may currently have a Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element for yourself. You wouldn't be able to get a carer element, for yourself, as well, under universal credit rules.

Have a look at this guidance for DWP staff, paragraph F6014
www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/upl...ile/661570/admf6.pdf

Otherwise, if neither of these possibilities is the case, then it's entirely possible that the DWP have made a mistake in not awarding the carer element.

You could either contact the Universal Credit Helpline or send a message on your online journal.

Once you are on Universal Credit you cannot change back to your previous benefits.

BIS

Hi jama

I have come across your situation a few times where a UC claim has been closed down, what we have done in the past is to open up a new claim then on your journal of the new claim make a request for a mandatory reconsideration about your old claim and why it was closed at short notice.

You usually cannot go for an appeal without first going for a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR), as for compensation you would have to go through a complaints proceedure first.

Gary