PolicyEngine · MaxGhenis · Oct 1, 2026 · Oct 1, 2026 · Oct 1, 2026 · Oct 2, 2026
diff --git a/changelog.d/legacy-carer-premium-claimant-only.added.md b/changelog.d/legacy-carer-premium-claimant-only.added.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+- Add `partners_care_for_same_severely_disabled_person` (benefit unit). Two people caring for the same severely disabled person cannot both be entitled to Carer's Allowance (SSCBA s.70(7ZA)) or Carer Support Payment (SSI 2023/302 reg 5(3)), so they get one carer premium. Unless it is supplied, partners are treated as caring for the same person unless both have a reported Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment award (`carers_allowance_reported`), since caring hours cannot show who is cared for.
diff --git a/changelog.d/legacy-carer-premium-claimant-only.fixed.md b/changelog.d/legacy-carer-premium-claimant-only.fixed.md
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+- Pay the legacy carer premium only for the claimant and partner, and once for each of them who qualifies (IS Regs 1987 Sch 2 paras 14ZA(1) and 15(7), with the matching Housing Benefit and council tax reduction schedules). A caring child or young person no longer gives the family the premium. A couple who both have Carer's Allowance awards get two premiums rather than one; a couple who care for the same severely disabled person, or who both qualify on caring hours alone, get one. The premium enters the Income Support, Housing Benefit and council tax reduction applicable amounts.
+- Correct the 2025-26 carer premium to £46.40 a week.
+- Open the Income Support carer route (IS Regs 1987 Sch 1B para 4) only through the claimant or partner, not through a dependent child or young person who cares.
diff --git a/changelog.d/legacy-carer-premium-claimant-only.removed.md b/changelog.d/legacy-carer-premium-claimant-only.removed.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+- Remove the `gov.dwp.carer_premium.couple` parameter. It held the single rate, while the law pays the per-person amount (`gov.dwp.carer_premium.single`) once for each qualifying claimant and partner. Reforms should change `gov.dwp.carer_premium.single`.
diff --git a/policyengine_uk/parameters/gov/dwp/carer_premium/couple.yaml b/policyengine_uk/parameters/gov/dwp/carer_premium/couple.yaml
diff --git a/policyengine_uk/parameters/gov/dwp/carer_premium/single.yaml b/policyengine_uk/parameters/gov/dwp/carer_premium/single.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-description: Carer premium for one qualifying carer, for legacy benefits.
+description: Carer premium for each claimant or partner who qualifies, for legacy benefits. A couple who both qualify receive it twice.
 values:
   2015-04-01: 34.6
   2016-04-01: 34.6
@@ -9,18 +9,24 @@ values:
   2021-04-01: 37.7
   2022-04-01: 38.85
   2023-04-01: 42.75
-  2024-04-01: 
+  2024-04-01:
     value: 45.6
     reference:
       - title: Benefits Uprating 2024/25 | Commons Library Briefing
         href: https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9872/CBP-9872.pdf
-  2025-04-01: 46.38
+  2025-04-01:
+    value: 46.4
+    reference:
+      - title: Income Support (General) Regulations 1987 Sch. 2 para. 15(7), as in force from 7 April 2025
+        href: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1987/1967/schedule/2/2025-04-07
   2026-04-01: 48.15
 metadata:
   period: week
-  label: Legacy benefit carer premium (one carer)
+  label: Legacy benefit carer premium (per qualifying claimant or partner)
   uprating: gov.benefit_uprating_cpi
   unit: currency-GBP
-  reference: 
+  reference:
     - title: Benefits Uprating 2022/23
       href: https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9439/CBP-9439.pdf
+    - title: Income Support (General) Regulations 1987 Sch. 2 para. 15(7) (in respect of each person who qualifies)
+      href: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1987/1967/schedule/2/paragraph/15
diff --git a/policyengine_uk/tests/policy/baseline/finance/benefit/care.yaml b/policyengine_uk/tests/policy/baseline/finance/benefit/care.yaml
@@ -8,30 +8,6 @@
     num_carers: 1
     carer_premium: 37.5 * 52
 
-- name: Two carers in a benefit unit receive the couple rate
-  period: 2020
-  absolute_error_margin: 0
-  input:
-    num_carers: 2
-  output:
-    carer_premium: 37.5 * 52
-
-- name: Three carers in a benefit unit stay at the couple rate (regression for #420)
-  period: 2020
-  absolute_error_margin: 0
-  input:
-    num_carers: 3
-  output:
-    carer_premium: 37.5 * 52
-
-- name: No carers in a benefit unit receive no premium
-  period: 2020
-  absolute_error_margin: 0
-  input:
-    num_carers: 0
-  output:
-    carer_premium: 0
-
 - name: Carer from 35 hours a week without Carer's Allowance (regulation 30 UC Regs 2013)
   period: 2025
   absolute_error_margin: 0
Original file line number	Diff line number	Diff line change
		@@ -0,0 +1 @@
		- Add `partners_care_for_same_severely_disabled_person` (benefit unit). Two people caring for the same severely disabled person cannot both be entitled to Carer's Allowance (SSCBA s.70(7ZA)) or Carer Support Payment (SSI 2023/302 reg 5(3)), so they get one carer premium. Unless it is supplied, partners are treated as caring for the same person unless both have a reported Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment award (`carers_allowance_reported`), since caring hours cannot show who is cared for.
Original file line number	Diff line number	Diff line change
		@@ -0,0 +1 @@
		- Remove the `gov.dwp.carer_premium.couple` parameter. It held the single rate, while the law pays the per-person amount (`gov.dwp.carer_premium.single`) once for each qualifying claimant and partner. Reforms should change `gov.dwp.carer_premium.single`.