Reaching pensionable age but claiming Carers allowance

Tesco_points_addict

Hi there

My Dad currently claims carers allowance as he is my Mums main carer, he is about to reach his state pension age (65) and has been told he can only claim either the carers allowance or the pension. I'm confused, surely this cannot be correct, he will still be mums main carer??

TPAx

seven-day-weekend

I think they are overlapping benefits, therefore he has one or the other. If his State Pension is less than the CA, he will receive SP topped up by CA. If his SP is higher than the CA he will receive SP only.

You may receive more answers by posting on the Benefits board.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/MoneyMatters/DG_10012529

http://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/moneyandlegal/carersbenefits/Pages/CarersAllowance.aspx

rheme

See these links here:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/MoneyMatters/DG_10012529

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2006-07-13b.84434.h

anmarj

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

If his State Pension is less than the CA, he will receive SP topped up by CA.

should state that when they look at this, it is the BASIC PENSION that they work out the difference.

[Deleted User]

Unfortunately it's true that Carer's Allowance is not payable to anyone once they reach 65. Stinks doesn't it? As if your caring responsibilities suddenly disappear with your pension!

Your father may still get what is called the "underlying entitlement" (have a look at some of the links above) if he gets other benefits such as pension credit or council tax benefit. This is an amount added to other benefits, sort of a "carer premium" if that is any sort of explanation for you.

I think the government's twisted idea is that when you reach pensionable age and are too old to work then you don't need any Carer's Allowance as you're obviously going to be at home all day to look after someone anyway.

Oldernotwiser

Waggle_Dancer wrote: »

Unfortunately it's true that Carer's Allowance is not payable to anyone once they reach 65. Stinks doesn't it? As if your caring responsibilities suddenly disappear with your pension!

Surely the thinking is that when you receive your pension you won't be working and then will be available to care without receiving money towards it?

[Deleted User]

Waggle_Dancer wrote: »

I think the government's twisted idea is that when you reach pensionable age and are too old to work then you don't need any Carer's Allowance as you're obviously going to be at home all day to look after someone anyway.

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Surely the thinking is that when you receive your pension you won't be working and then will be available to care without receiving money towards it?

Sorry, weren't we saying roughly the same thing? Perhaps my wording could have been a little clearer.

missile

I would suggest the carers allowance is paid to replace the income that person could receive by working. When the carer reaches retirement age this "benefit" is no longer appropriate.

sleepless_saver

It's not true that people over 65 can't claim carers allowance. It used to be the case up till 2002. It's quite correct that for many people in receipt of state pension they won't get any extra money as they are overlapping benefits, but they would get a carers premium.

But it's not always the best course of action to apply for carers allowance at any age as it can affect the benefits of the person cared for. It's probably one of the most complicated benefits there is, just because of this irritating feature!