Quitting Work to be a carer

bigbadbri

Hi all,

Just after some advice because i've just done a benefits check up to see whether i can afford to quit work to look after my partner (who is on High Mob & care DLA & long term IB).

I've just put some details in the entitledto calculator (as if i already was unemployed) and it tells me i'd be entitled to JSA, Income supp & Council tax benefit and i'd be about £200 per month better off doing this. The only reason i'm in full time employment is because i can't afford to stay at home and look after her.

Its become apparent lately that i can't do both as work are getting the hump for me being off and the mrs not being happy that i'm not able to go to important appointments/operations with her.

If i was to quit work would i be entitled to JSA? because i wouldn't be actively seeking work and what are the implications of quitting a job for benefits. I beleive i'd be entitled to Carers allowance also.

I'm really confused and i guess i'm asking for a bit of advice all will be appreciated.

cw18

You want the CA rather than JSA -- if you claim JSA you have to apply for work.

If you qualify for an IS top-up you'd also get extra premiums -- will be back with those in a few mins, as I've got to take some veg off the hob now......

(I'm in the process of the same change, but being made redundant rather than resigning -- and I don't know what difference that would make to you)

cw18

I'm back....

Assuming you liev together and have no children.......

IS for a couple if £94.95, and on top of that you would qualify for £27.75 carers premium and probably £36.98 sickness/disablility premium and £18.15 disability guarantee (but check the last two as I know we get extra as DH has been issued a DS1500 from the GP stating his cancer is terminal and he has less than a certain life expectancy)

This gives a total of £177.70/week

From this they will deduct the carers allowance (£55.50) and his long term IB (£84.50)

So £177.70-£135.05 leaves £42.65 from IS as a top-up

You then qualify for rent (or mortgage interest assistance subject to qualifying period) and council tax rebate

BUT the CA is taxable..... so if you've used up your personal tax free allowance since April you will be taxed on it until April !!!

cw18

Forgot to mention -- they will claw back from your total entitlement if you have joint capital over £6. If you have over £16k then you won't get anything through IS. Between £6k and £16k they reduce the payments by £1 for every full or partial £250

cw18

Theres some info on the premiums here and here

cw18

Hmmmm.......

This page indicates we won't get both disability ones and the carers premium Must phone them and check later this afternoon, 'cos I had been told we would !!!

ETA: Actually, ignore that.... just found a bit at the very bottom that says "if you qualify for the carer premium it will be in addition to any other premium you can get."

bigbadbri

many thanks for your reply.

I'll look into this further, its never simple with benefits is it.

cw18

Feel free to PM me if I can be of any further assistance. Like I said I'm "making the change" later this month, and have been doing all the leg work since about June to work out what we'd get -- no point you starting from scratch if you don't need to