can i claim carers allowance...

atwitsend_2

Can I claim carers allowance while on statutory maternity pay? I have had a look at the direct gov sites and cant seem to find anything on this.

DX2

I very much doubt you will be able to. Of course I am assuming your SMP is over £95 pw.

karenx

Carer's Allowance

The main state benefit that carers can claim is Carer's Allowance. Carer's Allowance is a benefit for people who regularly spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone with a severe disability who receives a Disability Living Allowance (Middle or Higher Rate for Personal Care) or Attendance Allowance, and is currently set at £53.10 a week.
To qualify for a Carer's Allowance you need to meet the following criteria:

• You must be 16 years old or over
• You must look after someone for at least 35 hours a week
• The person you look after must receive a qualifying disability benefit
• If you work you must not earn more than £95 (as from 1 October 2007), although this figure is revised every April, so be sure to check.
• You must not get one of a list of other benefits
• You must be living in the UK when you claim Carer's Allowance
• You must not be a full-time student. This is defined as supervised studying for over 21 hours a week

Are you looking after a disabled person for over 35 hours per week? I would find that very hard with a newborn baby!!!!
Also says you cant earn over £95 per week, is smp not £123.06? I know thats what MA is

atwitsend_2

karenx wrote: »

Carer's Allowance

The main state benefit that carers can claim is Carer's Allowance. Carer's Allowance is a benefit for people who regularly spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone with a severe disability who receives a Disability Living Allowance (Middle or Higher Rate for Personal Care) or Attendance Allowance, and is currently set at £53.10 a week.
To qualify for a Carer's Allowance you need to meet the following criteria:

• You must be 16 years old or over
• You must look after someone for at least 35 hours a week
• The person you look after must receive a qualifying disability benefit
• If you work you must not earn more than £95 (as from 1 October 2007), although this figure is revised every April, so be sure to check.
• You must not get one of a list of other benefits
• You must be living in the UK when you claim Carer's Allowance
• You must not be a full-time student. This is defined as supervised studying for over 21 hours a week

Are you looking after a disabled person for over 35 hours per week? I would find that very hard with a newborn baby!!!!
Also says you cant earn over £95 per week, is smp not £123.06? I know thats what MA is

Actually, yes I am, My 7 year old son is severly disabled.

I was curious if they count SMP as earnings or as a benefit, thats why I asked.

karenx

Just found this on directgov site

Effect on benefits or tax credits

Tax Credits and Disability Living Allowance are not affected by Maternity Allowance.



But while you're getting Maternity Allowance and any of the following benefits - they may be reduced or stopped:

• Employment and Support Allowance
• Carer's Allowance
• Bereavement Benefits
• Income Support
• Jobseeker's Allowance will stop

Does it help in any way?Looks like you may be able to claim both but your sons DLA and your tax credits will be reduced or stopped

atwitsend_2

karenx wrote: »

Just found this on directgov site

Effect on benefits or tax credits

Tax Credits and Disability Living Allowance are not affected by Maternity Allowance.



But while you're getting Maternity Allowance and any of the following benefits - they may be reduced or stopped:

• Employment and Support Allowance
• Carer's Allowance
• Bereavement Benefits
• Income Support
• Jobseeker's Allowance will stop

Does it help in any way?Looks like you may be able to claim both but your sons DLA and your tax credits will be reduced or stopped

I am not on MA, its SMP, I assume this is different as they are for different amounts.

healy

karenx wrote: »

Just found this on directgov site

Effect on benefits or tax credits

Tax Credits and Disability Living Allowance are not affected by Maternity Allowance.



But while you're getting Maternity Allowance and any of the following benefits - they may be reduced or stopped:

• Employment and Support Allowance
• Carer's Allowance
• Bereavement Benefits
• Income Support
• Jobseeker's Allowance will stop

Does it help in any way?Looks like you may be able to claim both but your sons DLA and your tax credits will be reduced or stopped

The OPs sons DLA will not be reduced or stopped.

karenx

How much SMP do you get? I thought it was £123 the same as MA?
I asked if it would help as its kind of the same senario as I said "looks like you may" I didnt say thats what would definatly happen

NASA_2

I dont think you could get both at the same time but I cant find anything to back that up.

In order to get SMP you need to have been earing £95 a week, you will still be employed, and I imagine that you are probably still receiving more than £95 a week?

alwaysonthego_2

In my adviser's book it does not mention that SMP and CA are overlapping benefits, but MA and CA are.

NASA_2

alwaysonthego wrote: »

In my adviser's book it does not mention that SMP and CA are overlapping benefits, but MA and CA are.

No, SMP and CA are not Overlapping Benefits, but I would imagine that its taken as earnings from employment.