Underlying Entitelment To Carer's Allowance

[margobo]

I have received this benefit for some years as I care for my son who has an enduring mental health condition. He does not live with me but I see him daily. I have just received a letter from DWP to say that my right to this benefit expires. I wonder if this is something to do with the change over of PIPs to another benefit? My son say he knows nothing about it and I am worried that it will effect my right to Pension Credit.

[Paigntonian]

There is no 'change over' of PIP to another benefit.

[Buenchico]

^^^ There is in Scotland, Paigntonian, where PIPs are being replaced by Adult Disability Payments.

Although receiving a Carer's Allowance (or having an underlying entitlement to it, even if no actual allowance is payable) can help with claiming Pension Credit, the absence of such an allowance (or entitlement) doesn't necessarily mean that a claim for Pension Credit will fall by the wayside.

See the info here
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/carers-allowance/
and here
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/pension-credit/

Then, if needed, contact the Age UK helpline for further advice. (The number can be found at the bottom of either of those two pages).

[Peter Pedant]

and here
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/eligibility

which I have to say I find completely opaque

[THECORBYLOON]

Does the letter not explain why your entitlement is due to end?

[bobbinwales]

Maybe it's one that has to be reapplied for / renew'd periodically....??

[furrypusscat]

Are you saying your son was already on PIP - Personal Independence Payment or was he on Disability Living Allowance due to be changed over to PIP after relevant assessment assuming you reside in UK.
Scotland have changed over to a new different allowance.
I would ring DWP and ask the reason for the letter and if your CA is due to expire, reapply and possibly ask CAB or your local welfare rights to help in the application.

[Eileensde]

"I am worried that it will effect my right to Pension Credit."

Are you just starting to claim State Pension? If so then the Carers Allowance stops. My Husband lost the carers allowance in Feb when he started claiming the State Pension. We thought it unfair but were told by the DWP that he could'nt claim both benefits. So anyone in this situation just has to carry on being a carer but not get the allowance.

[barry1010]

Eileen, read the paragraph about underlying benefits here https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/help-with-benefits/other-pension-age-benefits#:~:text=%2Fbenefits%2Dcalculator.-,Carer's%20Allowance%20and%20the%20State%20Pension,classed%20as%20'overlapping%20benefits'.

[margobo]

I had heard that Scotland were changing over to a new system and wondered if a change was happening in England. I have been retired for 20 years and my son has been on PIPs for a while. I will phone up DWP and find out the reason.
Thanks for all your replies.

[barry1010]

So you are in England, margo?

[barry1010]

Could somebody else be claiming carer's allowance for your son? A girlfriend, perhaps?

[margobo]

Further to my losing Underlying entitlement to Carer's Allowance. My son's PIP was stopped but has since been reinstated as the DWP phoned him and said it should never have been ended. Thats good but I have now had to reapply for Carer's Allowance which takes 6 to 8 weeks. I will then have to reapply for Pension Credit but not sure if I well get this backdated. What a lot of trouble caused by an incorrect descision!