How To Apply For the Carers Element of Universal Credit

If you’re eligible for the Carers Element of Universal Credit, you could receive up to an additional £42.89 a week (or £185.86 a month). Here, we’ve explained how to apply for the Carers Element of Universal Credit, along with what it is and whether you’re eligible.

Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit to support people with living costs who are either unemployed, unable to work or on a low income. This benefit is made up of a standard allowance and several additional elements that you could also be eligible for, with one of these being the Carers Element.

In this article:

1. What is the Carers Element of Universal Credit?
2. Who is eligible for the Carers Element of Universal Credit?
3. How to apply for the Carers Element of Universal Credit
4. What you’ll get
5. How does the Carer Element of Universal Credit affect other benefits?

What is the Carers Element of Universal Credit?

If you provide at least 35 hours of care a week for a disabled person who claims certain disability benefits, you could be eligible for the Carers Element of Universal Credit. This is an extra amount you’ll receive in addition to your regular Universal Credit payment.

While your earnings don’t prevent you from claiming the Carer Element, it’s still part of Universal Credit which is means-tested, meaning your savings (above £16,000) and income could affect the overall amount of Universal Credit you’re entitled to.

Only one Carer Element is allowed per claimant. If multiple people care for the same person, they can decide between them who will get this Carer Element.

Who is Eligible For the Carers Element of Universal Credit?

To be eligible for the Carers Element of Universal Credit, you need to claim Universal Credit and be providing at least 35 hours of care a week to somebody who receives one of the following benefits:

• Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance or Child Disability Payment (the highest or middle of the care component)
• Personal Independence Payment (the daily living component)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Constant Attendance Allowance paid with Industrial Injuries Benefit or War Disablement Pension

How To Apply For the Carers Element of Universal Credit

To apply for the Carers Element of Universal Credit, you’ll need to provide the following information to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP):

• The name of the person you care for
• Their date of birth
• Their National Insurance number
• Any disability benefits they receive (or have applied for)
• If you receive or are entitled to Carer’s Allowance
• How many hours a week you spend caring for them
• The contact details of anybody else who cares for the same person (and whether they receive Carer’s Allowance)
• If you receive any other income (excluding Carer’s Allowance) for looking after somebody

What You’ll Get

For the 2023/2024 financial year, the Carers Element of Universal Credit is worth £185.86 a month. This increased by 10.1% from £168.81 in April 2023.

This amount will be paid on top of your Universal Credit payment and will go into the same account. It usually takes five weeks to receive your first Universal Credit payment and is normally paid every month.

We’ve summarised how much you could get in the table below. We also have a guide explaining all of the different Universal Credit rates.

How Does the Carer Element of Universal Credit Affect Other Benefits?

If you receive the Carers Element of Universal Credit, the person you care for will lose their entitlement to the Severe Disability Premium (if they were already getting this).

Meanwhile, if you already receive Carer’s Allowance, you should automatically get a Carer Premium or Carers Element added to your Universal Credit payment.

Some benefits are referred to as ‘legacy benefits’, and these are being gradually replaced by Universal Credit. These are:

• Employment and Support Allowance
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Tax Credits

Some benefits could affect how much Universal Credit you’re able to receive, such as Statutory Sick Pay and New Style Employment and Support Allowance, However, disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance won’t affect how much Universal Credit you can get.

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