I have a client who receives IB but would be eligible for IS (as a carer) if an SDP was included in her applicable amount. She receives MRC DLA.
However, she does not live alone but is a carer for her adult son who receives MRC and HRM DLA and ESA. Having checked criteria for SDP it seems that she could qualify if he did not count as an adult non dependent (which would be the case as he gets ESA). have I understood this correctly?

Yes, not because of the ESA though but because he gets MR Care.

He too could get the SDP - assuming they are the only people living in the property - and she does not actually receive carers allowance due to her IB.

She'd get underlying entitlement and the carer premium but not actually carers allowance so they should both be able to get SDP.

Thanks but i don't think he can get SDP as he's on ESA and gets the support component of that. It was more whether she can even though she doesn't live alone.

Thu 18-Feb-10 10:47 AM by bensup

The fact that he is on ESA does not preclude him from SDP - if he's in receipt of contribution based ESA then he needs to claim an Income based top up which should include the SDP.

Also if he's in receipt of contribution based ESA he could also claim CA for looking after his mum and get underlying entitlement and the carer premium in income based ESA also.