Carers allowance

wornoutmumoftwo

I just wondered if I should apply for carers allowance and what the benefits would be.
I am a sort of a stay at home mum (but volunteer at school/studying ou courses to be a teacher with sen children), and I have 2 boys on dla mid care/low mobility.

I've looked it up and I'm not sure if it something I need to, or should apply for and thought somebody might be able to advise me.

Thank you in advance.

jazabelle

Does your OU course count for more than 21 hours a week (including unsupervised)?

Do you spend 35 hours a week caring? It sounds like you would be eligible if so.

krisskross

wornoutmumoftwo wrote: »

I just wondered if I should apply for carers allowance and what the benefits would be.
I am a sort of a stay at home mum (but volunteer at school/studying ou courses to be a teacher with sen children), and I have 2 boys on dla mid care/low mobility.

I've looked it up and I'm not sure if it something I need to, or should apply for and thought somebody might be able to advise me.

Thank you in advance.

You might be better posting on the benefits and tax credits board.

There is a wealth of professional knowledge there.

Colliefrog

I do believe as long as you are looking after them for 35 hours or more and not earning more than around £90 a week you can claim it.

wornoutmumoftwo

I'm not in paid employment. I think the ou define study hours at about 16 a week (though it takes me less) the thing is I just signed up for another one and the two will lap for about four months.

and...the benefit board scares me.

krisskross

Do you get extra tax credits for the child receiving DLA?

wornoutmumoftwo

Yes, I get them. It's just that I've heard other people talking about carer's allowance and wasn't sure if I was meant to have it or not.

wilf55

apply they might say no but they might say yes what have you to lose


good luck if your courses overlap and you do more than the allocated hours of study you may not be able to claim for a short period but if you have cared for 3 months i am sure you can get it backdated if the child was on m or h rate care you may have to stop claiming whilst the courses overlap but you also may not

good luck

vandanfc

You cannot get Carer's Allowance if you are in full-time education with 21 hours or more a week of supervised study or earn more than £95 a week after certain deductions have been made - for example Income Tax.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/caringforsomeone/moneymatters/dg_10012522

Apply for it, they can only say yes or no. You can apply online too.

wornoutmumoftwo

Thank you all for your help. I've been caring (officially) since youngest was 5 so that's over 2 years now.