Help needed. 63yo needs to stop working.

jeanmd

Hi, I'm trying to help out a friend who's 63 years old. His wife who is in her early seventy's has alzheimer's and he's really struggling to cope.

He has a full time job at the moment, but is having to get up often on a night to see to her and leave her at home on her own during the day, he's worried sick whilst at work and cannot concentrate on his job.

Someone has just been to see them from the pension department they cannot claim dla because of her age, but he has said they will help him put in for pension credits and atendance allowance on her behalf. This is fine, but the poor bloke can't cope with work and caring for his OH.

He doesn't have a private pension so...
Where would he stand if he gave up work and what could he claim?
Would he be penalised for giving up work to care for her?

Any help would be gratefully received.

Indie_Kid

He can claim pension credit too. He won't get penalised for giving up work to care for her.

Has he (and her) had an assessment from social services? They my get direct payments to allow someone to come in and care for her and give him a break.

jeanmd

sh1305 wrote: »

He can claim pension credit too. He won't get penalised for giving up work to care for her.

Has he (and her) had an assessment from social services? They my get direct payments to allow someone to come in and care for her and give him a break.

Sorry to seem thick, but how can he claim pension credits?
They don't have SS involved, I'll pass that onto him.
Thanks.

gorgeousgeorge

Pension Credit phone number 0800 991 234

Golden_Anemone

jeanmd wrote: »

Sorry to seem thick, but how can he claim pension credits?

She can claim Pensions Credit for them both as a couple.

gorgeousgeorge

Not sure if i gave you correct number, but this might help, when we did the claim for pension credits, we had dowloaded the form, and filled it in, but rang up Pension Credits about a question, they then actually did our application over the phone, and it was quick, as we had all the answers written down in front of us...
http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/pc1_form.pdf

jeanmd

Thank you, I hadn't realised that she could get pension credit for him even though he's under 65.

Eeyore2009

Maybe he can get carers allowance too if he has to give up work.
she should be on DLA and IB i think

Indie_Kid

Eeyore2009 wrote: »

Maybe he can get carers allowance too if he has to give up work.
she should be on DLA and IB i think

IB doesn't exist for new claims. She's over 65; so can't get DLA.

alwaysonthego_2

Attendance allowance

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=33655409&postcount=3

Who can apply

For over 65s who have care needs.

A non-means tested benefit and it has no impact on any other benefits and is not counted as income.

Claimants should need frequent help with personal care issues such as toileting, dressing, washing, eating and supervision to avoid harm to themselves and others.

You must have had the care needs for 6 months before a claim can be made (special rules for terminal illness).

To claim call 0800 055 66 88

More information

jeanmd

Thank you for your replies, I've passed all the information on. x