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Sun-Saturday carers allowance rule

Hi everyone,

My CA has been stopped because I no longer care full time (relative gone into residential home) but only on occasional weekend visits which are 48 hrs long.

Out of 6 visits I only got paid for 1 because it happened to include a Bank Holiday Monday. And the National Insurance has been stopped.

Because of their circumstances, they are unable to come home at any other time so it looks like I'll never receive any CA..

Has anyone appealed against this and been successful?

Comments

  • mummytofour
    mummytofour Posts: 2,636 Forumite
    How about getting ss to assess for direct payments? That would cost more in the long run to the gov, teach them a lesson!
    Sorry, no I have not appealed, I suggest you do because the more we shout eventually somebody has to hear us, right?
    Does the person come home EVERY weekend?
    Debt free and plan on staying that way!!!!
  • calleyw
    calleyw Posts: 9,896 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    Anglea wrote: »
    Hi everyone,

    My CA has been stopped because I no longer care full time (relative gone into residential home) but only on occasional weekend visits which are 48 hrs long.

    Out of 6 visits I only got paid for 1 because it happened to include a Bank Holiday Monday. And the National Insurance has been stopped.

    Because of their circumstances, they are unable to come home at any other time so it looks like I'll never receive any CA..

    Has anyone appealed against this and been successful?

    To to get carers allowance you need to care for someone every week for min of 35 hours a week as long as they still recieve DLA middle rate or above care.

    If they have gone in to a home and are not self funding then there DLA stops after 28 days. If they are self funding that it carries on. So if they are not self funding you would not get it anyway.

    You can appeal but as the residential home is now the persons home I don't think you get very far.

    All the best.

    Yours


    Calley
    Hope for everything and expect nothing!!!

    Good enough is almost always good enough -Prof Barry Schwartz

    If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try -Seth Godin
  • Anglea
    Anglea Posts: 7,209 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic
    Thanks for the replies.

    I never realised it was EVERY week. No-one in any of the specialist advice centres told me that. And it even says on the form you don't have to do 35 hours a week.

    I only found out about the DLA needed for home visits to warrant CA after I'd sent my forms off. That was another one, no-one seemed to know about.

    No, the visits are usually once every 3 weeks. Actually the DLA came through without any problems for the home visits.

    So now I understand why I didn't get paid. However, I'm not sure that it's necessarily fair. Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse I've got another financial hiccup to deal with, the care home this time (letter turned up today). Another thread for me then.
  • calleyw
    calleyw Posts: 9,896 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    Anglea wrote: »
    Thanks for the replies.

    I never realised it was EVERY week. No-one in any of the specialist advice centres told me that. And it even says on the form you don't have to do 35 hours a week.

    I only found out about the DLA needed for home visits to warrant CA after I'd sent my forms off. That was another one, no-one seemed to know about.

    No, the visits are usually once every 3 weeks. Actually the DLA came through without any problems for the home visits.

    Anglea,

    It does state it here http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/MoneyMatters/DG_10012522

    That is 35 hours or plus a week. That I believe is taken as every week.

    Yes it does seem unfair. But carers allowance is there for people who are unable to work because they having caring duties that take up a lot of there time. And are caring day in day out, week in and week out.

    I still not sure how you got DLA care rate as I believe the person you refer to is not self funding so has most of there care in the home. So they loose it after 28 days being in the home.

    I have never filled in the CA forms as my husband never got middle rate care (not sure how but that is another story) and even if he did I earn to much money. So can't tell you what it said on the form.

    As I said appeal. But I do think that you will get nothing as you are not caring for someone week by week. And every week for 35 hours a week.

    Do you have a local carers support they may well be able to help you with your questions.

    All the best.


    Yours


    Calley
    Hope for everything and expect nothing!!!

    Good enough is almost always good enough -Prof Barry Schwartz

    If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try -Seth Godin
  • Anglea
    Anglea Posts: 7,209 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic
    Hi Calley,

    The DLA did stop after a month but then I heard that you have to apply for it again just to cover the time at home on a visit if you want to get any CA. When I first heard about it I thought it would be a problem but the home has arranged it. So there is a form they have to fill in with his dates and times.

    I wouldn't be surprised that most carers don't know about this. I did bring it up at a meeting once and no-one knew about it..

    I did phone the carers group on Friday but they don't know anything about this scenario although they were supportive.

    My holiday visit form does say that you do not have to care for 35 hours a week in order to get paid depending on circumstances.

    I'll give them a ring next week to clarify. Then need to sort out NI.

    Thanks.
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