Hi
Was wondering whether anyone had any experience with this situation. Client in assessment period of ESA although 5 months after claim. Is able to claim CA as he cares for his mother. However we are concerned that a claim at this stage may adversely affect a decision on his ESA claim? ie - may think that if he is able to care then he is fit enough to work?
I am aware that he would be able to claim IS as a carer but as he is under 25 and not in receipt of DLA himself he would be better off on ESA?
thanks for any assistance.

I have not had any clients with ESA in this situation but often had clients on IB or IS for ICW and this was not a problem for them. The CA Unit make their decision separately then check payability against any overlapping benefits. I'm not sure of the interaction of the premiums for IS, presumably your client will be claiming IS with Carer's Premium with the Carer's Allowance? ESA no longer has the old IS Disability Premium so should the maximum payable on IS/CA is 29.50 + 50.95 for under 25 = 80.45 as opposed to ESA of 64.30 + 25.50 (or 30.85) work related-activity/ support component+ 50.95 carer's premium = 140.75. this doesn't seem right to me. (sorry i have to leave now so i will check it later)

If he starts a claim for IS as a carer, can’t he then claim incapacity credits? His IS amount would be 50.95 + 29.50 initially, going up to 50.95 + 29.50 + 27.50 after the year is up. An IS claim as a carer gives a route to claiming incapacity credits under the pre ESA rules.

He would be worse off on IS, but another consideration is whether he is more likely to pass the PCA than the WCA.