MSE News: Carers offered help to build state pension entitlement

Former_MSE_Guy

This is the discussion thread for the following MSE news story:

"The Government today urged those caring for a friend or relative to use a new scheme to build up their state pension entitlement ..."

Read the full story:
Carers offered help to build state pension entitlement

earthmother

I was told that whilst receiving Carers Allowance, I'd also get HRP (or at least would have if I hadn't already been getting it through the Child Benefit), and that would take care of my state pension - is this not then the case?

seven-day-weekend

I thought that was the case too.......

However under the new rules which come into force on April 6th, carers/parents in receipt of Child Benefit or Carers' Allowance will get NI credits rather than HRP.

Also, this bit appears to be different:


What if I don't receive a carer's allowance?

From 6 April 2010, a new system of credits will help parents and carers build up entitlement to a State Pension.

If you spend over 20 hours a week looking after an elderly or disabled person you should be eligible for the credits.

However, it is important that the person you are looking after has their need for care certified by a health or social care professional. Without this proof, you are unlikely to be able to claim.

Read more: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/pensions/article.html?in_article_id=499968&in_page_id=6#ixzz0gHGKPh7B

earthmother

Thanks - I won't get it then - I'm a full-time carer, but DHs social worker will never put down more than 16 hrs for me on any carers assessment, even though she agrees with me when discussing the care needs verbally (call me cynical, but it appears to be because if I officially cared for more than 16 hours, I'd be entitled to a carer's grant once a year to help with jobs/household maintenance and respite breaks).

DX2

earthmother wrote: »

I was told that whilst receiving Carers Allowance, I'd also get HRP (or at least would have if I hadn't already been getting it through the Child Benefit), and that would take care of my state pension - is this not then the case?

Yes that is the case they are just replacing HRP with the new credits.
Changes from April 2010 for parents and carers

Home Responsibilities Protection is being replaced for people reaching State Pension age on or after 6 April 2010.
From 6 April 2010, parents and carers will be able to build up qualifying years through new weekly credits for the basic State Pension and additional State Pension. If you are a parent or carer, you will get a credit for each week in which you:

• are getting Child Benefit for children aged under 12
• are an approved foster carer
• are caring for at least 20 hours a week for people who are getting Attendance Allowance, the middle-rate or highest-rate care component of Disability Living Allowance, or Constant Attendance Allowance, or the need for care has been certified

Some of the detail around these changes is subject to further parliamentary approval.
There will be no limit to the credits awarded to parents and carers after April 2010, as long as you meet the qualifying rules.
If you reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2010, complete tax years of Home Responsibilities Protection you have already built up before 2010 will be converted into qualifying years up to a maximum of 22 years.These qualifying years will also count towards bereavement benefits.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Caringforsomeone/DG_10018691

DX2

earthmother wrote: »

Thanks - I won't get it then - I'm a full-time carer, but DHs social worker will never put down more than 16 hrs for me on any carers assessment, even though she agrees with me when discussing the care needs verbally (call me cynical, but it appears to be because if I officially cared for more than 16 hours, I'd be entitled to a carer's grant once a year to help with jobs/household maintenance and respite breaks).

Do you get CA?

SingleSue

Ok, this is going to sound really silly (especially as I have been an official carer for many years) but what on earth is a carers grant?

earthmother

DX2 - yes I do - having re-read the links, I should still get the NI contributions shouldn't I (that'll teach me to speed read).

SingleSue - the Carer's Grant (called Take A Break here, but I don't know if that's just the local name) is a grant direct from Social Services intended to help the carer rather than the cared-for - it can be used to fund a respite break (with or without the cared-for), or to pay for labour for jobs that, because of caring duties, may be hard for the carer to do, such as decorating, house/garden maintenance etc. It's a tiered scheme based on hours of care provided, and a maximum of £250 a year here. It's a limited pot, so you aren't guaranteed it, but it can be very useful. You provide receipts for the work done at the end of the year, and any funds not spent or not used for allowed items have to be repaid.

It was fluke that I found out about it - I came across the term on a council web-page about help for carers and asked DHs SW - she'd never thought to mention it in the years she'd been dealing with us, even though she'd known I could have done with the help at times. Up to that point she'd always agreed that I gave full-time care, but the two times she's completed the grant form for me, she's always puts me on the lowest care hours possible.

SingleSue

Thanks for that.....never been mentioned to me either and that has been after complaining about lack of respite (I have no respite whatsoever), not enough time to get decorating done etc!

earthmother

It might be worth asking your local SS about it - they run to a financial year, so if you get the forms now, you could submit them mid-April ready for the new funds being released.

Off post - I take it from your sig that it's hypermobility that you are dealing with - same here - DH and all 3 boys have it to varying degrees - so I understand some of what you may have been dealing with.

karendb

Hi - I've just found a useful number you can phone to get a Pension Forecast. 0191 213 5000. You'll need your NI number. They send you the forecast and let you know if you've got any shortfall etc.

Hope this helps.

Karen