Anyone clued up on benefits? Think me mate is in cloud cuckoo land

Bogof_Babe

sjaypink wrote: »

How many carers are?

I would hope most of those who care for people with serious or chronic physical conditions requiring round the clock attention would have some sort of basic training. Otherwise the patient would not be properly looked after.

Snooze, your friend's mother sounds pretty incapacitated now, so what happens if she deteriorates rapidly? Will he still be able to cope?

pipkin71

Snooze wrote: »

I heard there you get council tax paid for if you're on benefits, any info on that or is it just an urban myth?

R

I honestly don't know if this applies to someone claiming attendance allowance, so the best place to ask is the benefits board, but, if someone claiming DLA has a room specifically for them, to meet their disabilities, then they can claim council tax benefit.

I'm not 100% sure, but have read that in those circumstances, the amount in the bank doesn't affect the amount of CTC claimed.

As I say though, I'm not 100%, so you would need to ask on the benefit board. It's just that I have this vague recollection of a house with a room specifically used by the disabled person entitles them to CTC.

Edited to add:

Have just found this on Derby's local council info site:

Question: I am disabled. Can I get a reduction in my council tax?

Answer: You may be able to have your Council Tax reduced if a disabled person is living in the property. To get a reduction the property must have one of these:

• A room, that is used mainly by the disabled person and is required for meeting their needs. For example, the treatment of an illness or condition. A downstairs living or sitting room used also as a bedroom no longer applies.
• An additional bathroom or kitchen that is required to meet the needs of the disabled person. This needs to be a full bathroom not just an additional toilet, or
• Adaptation for wheelchair access or use.

The reduced Council Tax is given by charging as if the property was in the next lower valuation band. For example, if the property is actually in band C, we charge the tax as band B. From 1 April 2000 homes in band A were also allowed a reduction.



So it says disabled person rather than someone claiming DLA, which, I assume would include someone claiming AA.

sjaypink

Bogof_Babe wrote: »

I would hope most of those who care for people with serious or chronic physical conditions requiring round the clock attention would have some sort of basic training. Otherwise the patient would not be properly looked after.

Snooze, your friend's mother sounds pretty incapacitated now, so what happens if she deteriorates rapidly? Will he still be able to cope?

Yes but in reality it just doesn't happen. I know that support for carers is slowly improving, but I imagine a large majority, if assessed by 'professionals' would be considered out of their depth...

...just thinking out loud really :A

rictus123

I doubt 99% could care full time? Bathing, cooking, dressing, helping just be mobile even, in and out of bed could be hard for alot. If they get upset would you know how to cope with it, not being mean but half the time theyre in a world of there own.

DX2

pipkin71 wrote: »

I honestly don't know if this applies to someone claiming attendance allowance, so the best place to ask is the benefits board, but, if someone claiming DLA has a room specifically for them, to meet their disabilities, then they can claim council tax benefit.

I'm not 100% sure, but have read that in those circumstances, the amount in the bank doesn't affect the amount of CTC claimed.

As I say though, I'm not 100%, so you would need to ask on the benefit board. It's just that I have this vague recollection of a house with a room specifically used by the disabled person entitles them to CTC.

Edited to add:

Have just found this on Derby's local council info site:

Question: I am disabled. Can I get a reduction in my council tax?


Answer: You may be able to have your Council Tax reduced if a disabled person is living in the property. To get a reduction the property must have one of these:

• A room, that is used mainly by the disabled person and is required for meeting their needs. For example, the treatment of an illness or condition. A downstairs living or sitting room used also as a bedroom no longer applies.
• An additional bathroom or kitchen that is required to meet the needs of the disabled person. This needs to be a full bathroom not just an additional toilet, or
• Adaptation for wheelchair access or use.

The reduced Council Tax is given by charging as if the property was in the next lower valuation band. For example, if the property is actually in band C, we charge the tax as band B. From 1 April 2000 homes in band A were also allowed a reduction.



So it says disabled person rather than someone claiming DLA, which, I assume would include someone claiming AA.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DG_10026451

pipkin71

rictus123 wrote: »

I doubt 99% could care full time? Bathing, cooking, dressing, helping just be mobile even, in and out of bed could be hard for alot. If they get upset would you know how to cope with it, not being mean but half the time theyre in a world of there own.

However, there is also the possibility of direct payments, which can be claimed on top of benefits for care needs, paying for someone to come in and help care, help with cleaning ect. Also, those claiming carer's allowance can also claim DPs

No idea if DP would apply in this situation though.

The mother would have her care needs assessed, but that is a pretty straightforward thing, and from experience, they do go through everything with you, then you are able to pay for your own services.

The OP's mother would have to have a separate bank account for DP payments, and keep records - which they do check, but it is possible, if the assessment shows that need is there, for care to be paid for from direct payments.

Again though, I have no idea if DPs would apply in this situation.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/financialsupport/DG_10016128

pipkin71

DX2 wrote: »

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DG_10026451

Thanks DX2.

I looked and couldn't find it

SingleSue

sjaypink wrote: »

Yes but in reality it just doesn't happen. I know that support for carers is slowly improving, but I imagine a large majority, if assessed by 'professionals' would be considered out of their depth...

...just thinking out loud really :A

I just did a really long post saying much the same (more long winded) but then thought better of posting it.

LilacPixie

HomeSaver2010 wrote: »

Hi Rob,

I have not read through all the responses but from what i have picked up. Your friend may not be entitled to Housing or council tax benefit, Working tax credit or Income Support as he has savings over the thresholds.

Hope this helps

Just had to point out the bit in bold. Working tax credit does not have a savings threashold but it does take income from savings into account after the first £300.

Presuming he stays at home and his OH goes to work earning around 12 k a year. I estimate that he could get £53 a week carers allowance and then she could get £45 WTC and about £65 CTC while the child under 1. This drops about £10 once the baby is over one. Carers allowance is IIRC depended on what benefits the mother receives so if she receives nothing then he would get no CA.

edgex

what if his mother has another stroke, & then needs to go into a care/nursing home?
what if they now assess her as needing to go into a care home?

im assumimg she is old enough to be receiving a state pension, they will use that first to pay for any care home costs
if the costs exceed her pension, then they will be expecting the rest to be paid for.


also, its a long term commitment to care for someone
he needs to go & discuss it with the doctors etc, to find out how well they think the mother will cope in the ongoing years, & how likely it is that she will deteriorate.