can we both claim carers allowence

PolishBigSpender

daska wrote: »

You're claiming it's a "huge problem" but as usual you fail to provide evidence to back up your claims.

What more evidence do you need than the fact that the costs of benefit fraud are said to approach 1 billion pounds?

For that reason, I'd hope that where there can be questionable elements (such as two disabled people stating that they care for each other), then these questionable elements are investigated thoroughly.

[Deleted User]

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

Why is it insulting to suggest that the State should conduct comprehensive checks into an area that can be potentially abused? If they're claiming benefits - then the State should be making sure that they're not doing so fraudulently. Having a disabled couple claim that they're caring for each other while not being able to care for themselves - well, shouldn't every such claim be scrutinised closely?

The time would be better spent investigating tax fraud which is far more widespread and cost the country far more

daska

I think I'd need evidence to show that the level of benefit fraud committed by disabled couples contributed to this cost in a "huge" way...!

DLA is not a benefit where a substantial amount of fraud has been proven - despite the claims made in the press - the level of evidence required means it's actually very hard to make a fraudulant claim and not be found out by one of the health professionals involved in your care. In addition, most people are scared witless of jeopardising their DLA award and having to go through the nightmare of applying again by bring attention to themselves even by claiming benefits to which they are fully entitled.

BTW I'm not disputing that people do make fraudulent claims, but the value of carer's allowance is minute in the overall picture - a substantial proportion of the £1billion DLA (not carer's allowance) benefit fraud reported in 2007 was later identified as being as a result of an increase in the awareness of DLA. Another £1billion in benefits goes unclaimed by those who are legitimately entitled to them..

weanie

Most people would be surprised to know that there are lots of instances where two individuals claim and gain Carers allowance for each other. Often it is hard to imagine either person to be capable of providing care to the other party for any time at all - let alone 35 hours a week. However there is no legal definition of a Carer and providing someone is shown to be eligible for care, they can choose anyone at all to care for them and to claim this benefit.
I was told that even my 78 year old mother [who has severe dementia and cannot actually care for herself] could be a carer if we ever chose to make an application. Mad or not - this is the case.

richard9991

weanie wrote: »

Most people would be surprised to know that there are lots of instances where two individuals claim and gain Carers allowance for each other. Often it is hard to imagine either person to be capable of providing care to the other party for any time at all - let alone 35 hours a week. However there is no legal definition of a Carer and providing someone is shown to be eligible for care, they can choose anyone at all to care for them and to claim this benefit.
I was told that even my 78 year old mother [who has severe dementia and cannot actually care for herself] could be a carer if we ever chose to make an application. Mad or not - this is the case.

also there are many kinds of care examples are reading a blind persons letters or a book making sure someone takes medication etc.