Carers money and nursery.

helentay wrote: »

What £3000 debt caused by fraud? I don't have any debts, not even a credit card.

Yes it surprises me that they are allowed to get away without any checks being made.

I insist with my mum and dad that a daily diary is kept to prove exactly what each does for the other. This was suggested by their care manager from Social Services. It is done to show continuing care needs for the council's benefit, as well as to have a record for the DWP which I send in to them every year in respect of their carers claims.

helentay wrote: »

In which case you would be lying and my parents would be telling the truth.

I get outraged if people manipulate the system to gain more money, but am quite happy if their circumstances as they stand without manipulation give an entitlement.

Surely submitting a annual report of what care on a week by week basis has been given is the least that anybody can do if they receive an income from the government to carry out that caring role.

But maybe, like you would do, tell the DWP a fairytale about what care was given and the hours involved.

I have a family member that lives about 350 miles away from an aged relative, yet for one week a month they drive there and back and spend the whole week sorting out the relative's problems and giving constant care. The other three weeks involves caring from a distance with paid carers looking after the relative.

If, as some have suggested, she was to count the hours for everything including travelling, telephoning etc, she would have relevant hours of 168 hours one week then three weeks of 10 hours a week each.

Over a period of 4 weeks she would care for the relative for 198 hours and not be entitled to CA. Yet someone that cares for 35 hours a week - 140 hours over a 4 week period would receive £233.80 from the government.

I ask the question who provides the most care?

grummps wrote: »

I questioned the Carers Service (DWP) about this very same thing.

In my case I provide care for a relative that lives 300+ miles away.

Approx one week in every month I spend a total 78 hours caring (approx 30 hours of driving and 48 hours of being with him in his own home) for the relative. My wife in that same week spends another 119 hours caring for the same relative.

Additionally, in the intervening three weeks or so, I spend an average of about 15 hours a week sorting out all of his paperwork, bank, letters, medical appointments etc. as well as a minimum of 3 telephone calls a week (which last at least an hour each time).

The Carers Service would not accept my claim for Carers Allowance as the care provided is not on a regular weekly basis and that when looking at the overall care package, it only amounts to 12 weeks a year that the 35 hour rule is reached.

I was not allowed to make a claim 'as and when' or indeed 'average' out the hours - it had to be a regular min 35 hours each week throughout the year.

I arrived back on Saturday after another 'caring week' which has seen another 1400 miles added onto the car! The start of the next 1400 miles will be on the 17th August.