Hi
I help care for my mother in a supportive role not physical as I have health issues myself. This is over 35 hours per week. However due to my health issues I am in receipt of ESA and am in the support group. Would I still qualify for carers allowance?
Robert I think you need to contact the Carers UK help line.
My opinion …
Even though you are only supplying emotional support to your Mum. What benefit does Mum get. I think your claim could/would become - under close scrutiny.
But I am not expect!
Hi
My mother does qualify for carers allowance, and is in receipt of PIP high rate care.
I have received carers allowance up to a few months ago, for not only emotional support, but also security and prompting as needed.
However, this was stopped during my mothers PIP review which has now been reinstated, and also back dated to the initial review date, as will the carers allowance if I should reclaim.
I was not in the esa support group myself at that time, although I was in receipt of esa in the activity group. So I am now unsure if being in the support group would make a difference to my benefits?
Hi there,
You cannot receive contributory ESA and Carer’s Allowance at the same time. However, it is still worth claiming Carer’s Allowance, as you may have an underlying entitlement to Carer’s Allowance, which can increase any means-tested benefits you already receive or might mean you become entitled to means-tested benefits for the first time. You will get paid whichever amount that is greater of the two.
You can claim Carer’s Allowance and income-based ESA at the same time; however, your Carer’s Allowance payments will be taken into account when DWP calculate your income-based ESA award.
Whether you are in the Support Group or Work-Related Activity Group makes no difference to your claim.
For more information, you might find it useful to refer to our benefit pages here: https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advic … al-support.
I hope this helps.
(Response from Helpline Adviser)