Carer's Allowance/Attendance Allowance - HELP!

welsh.sara_2

Could someone advise me please?
My mother has been temporarily incapacitated since a pretty hefty operation at the beginning of December. She was discharged just before Christmas and since she's also newly widowed, I've been her main helper. At the beginning, she was fairly bed-bound, so I helped her with personal hygiene, made all her meals, housekeeping etc. She has improved slowly, but still cannot lift anything so her laundry, housekeeping and shopping is still down to me. We discussed her applying for Attendance Allowance so that she could start paying someone to do these things for her as I'm finding it too much of a strain (I have 2 children under 4 and I could help her lots while my husband was off on christmas holidays as he could have our children but since he's returned to work, it's been really, really difficult to do everything). Anyway, my Mother has applied for Carer's Allowance but I really don't think this is what she should be asking for. Also, since it's *ME* that applies for the Allowance, I'd be committing fraud! Can someone help me please?! Even though she is poorly, my Mother is pretty formidable and flares up easily if she cannot get her own way.

Indie_Kid

You can only apply for carers allowance if your mum is awarded attendance allowance.

MarsdenCuckoo

To be honest, sara, I haven't a clue but a while ago I was faced with a situation re. Pension credit where I also didn't have a clue so I rang the Benefits Office/Agency and they very kindly talked me through the whole thing. Don't be afraid to pick up the phone and ask the professionals..... Hopefully, like I did, you'll get a 'human' to help you through the quagmire.

Good luck.

anmarj

I would double check with her, a lot of people call Attendance Allowance, carers allowance and visa versa (both young and old), this were a lot of confusion often comes. the reason being is that AA is about care and a lot of people then get confused. If she has applied for carers then she will get knock back (hopefully before the processing stage) also when applying for carers the disabled person has to sign the form agreeing to the claim being made, due to a lot of people losing premiums on benefits and then wondering why it was stopped, although I think a lot of the time, they forget that they sign the form or don't really understand what they are signing.

Mojisola

Your Mum won't be able to get Carer's Allowance. That's claimed by the person doing the caring.

Would your Mum have a meeting with an advisor from the Pension Service? Ours are brilliant. They will help her claim anything she's entitled to.

If she won't co-operate then you need to take a leaf out of her book and start being a bit formidable yourself. Explain that you can't be available all the time, that you will do a,b&c but for everything else she will need to get other help in. If this means claiming a benefit then that's what she will have to do.

Some parents can be very controlling with their adult children. There comes a time in life when they have to be stood up to. Although I'm all for family members looking after older relatives - as I do with my parents - don't allow yourself to be a doormat.

welsh.sara_2

Thanks everyone, great advice. Am feeling less dismayed now by the whole thing. I think it just shook me to see that my mother had filled in a carer's allowance form on my behalf and then told me to sign it!! So, a visit is in order first thing in the morning so sort this out. Thanks again