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carers allowance backdate??

my son has been in middle rate dla for the past 2 years and ive only just found out that i can claim carers for him.... but they have only backdated it for the last 3 months? is this right? cos surely they should have to backdate it to the begining of his claim?

Comments

  • Hello stompin-sarah,

    There is a responsibility on benefit claimants to check they are receiving the right money, you owe it to yourself.
    You would have received a guide with your award letter mentioning other benefits you may be entitled to.
    With Carer's Allowance, there are rules regarding number of hours you care for, any other hours works and income. Hence not everyone can claim it or is entitled to it.

    Have you notified Child Tax Credits about your award?? You may also get an increase there.

    Regards
    Munchie.
  • Limana68
    Limana68 Posts: 486 Forumite
    Yes carers only gets backdated 3 mths, unlike DLA which is backdated to the date you put in the claim.

    Li xx
  • Hi my mum has only just started to claim carers allowance for my 37 yr old brother who has had severe learning difficulties since birth (shes not up on what benefits are available) and they would only backdate her 3 mths pay, he only recieves middle rate DLA he is housebound and needs looking after 24/7, does anyone know of any other benefits we could claim for him? thanks.
  • hutchy78 wrote: »
    Hi my mum has only just started to claim carers allowance for my 37 yr old brother who has had severe learning difficulties since birth (shes not up on what benefits are available) and they would only backdate her 3 mths pay, he only recieves middle rate DLA he is housebound and needs looking after 24/7, does anyone know of any other benefits we could claim for him? thanks.

    same here my son missed out too noone ever tells you these things he never even got dla till just recently really he should get higher rate my son gets middle rate but if ur brother needs more care get a social worker out to reasses her needs for him hth
  • This is the problem,people rarely read the information that comes with the DLA decision,nor do they take the time to find out whats avaliable,the info is out there,whatever the dwp might be they are NOT mind readers
  • wilf55
    wilf55 Posts: 3,102 Forumite
    or a visit to the cab


    my local council trafford has a dept where people come out to you and do a benefit check worth ringing your local council to check what other benefits you are entitled to

    also worth a look

    https://www.entitledto.co.uk
    Save 12k in 2015 member 187. £62.50/6000
  • allydowd
    allydowd Posts: 4,965 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Uniform Washer Name Dropper
    my son has been in middle rate dla for the past 2 years and ive only just found out that i can claim carers for him.... but they have only backdated it for the last 3 months? is this right? cos surely they should have to backdate it to the begining of his claim?

    I'm afraid 3 months is the usual amount of backdating given for Carers Allowance.
    Debt-free day: 8th May 2015 "Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck," Dalai Llama
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