carers, anything we should be investigating

getmore4less

This is a bit outside our normal area of research/knowledge so not sure if it is worth investigating further

I have effectively become a full time carer for a family member which means I cannot look for new employment at the moment.

Attendance allowance is being claimed but wondering if there are any other options we should be investigating.

Pensions are proving adiquate income.
We both have savings/investments that probaly exceed any means testing limits.

One thing that might be usefull is if I can get NI credits I might be a year or two short for full state pension.

Any options or places to start looking?

cabbage

You could claim Carers allowance. It is not income based. It is known as an overlapping benefit with various benefits including State Retirement Pension (means you can claim either not both but if this is the case you may be entitled to a premium and claim Pension credit )and if income/savings low enough could claim Income Support, council tax benefit, housing benefit if renting.

If you could provide further information ie age, income etc posters might be able to help further.

getmore4less

Cared 75+ pensions/AA >£1kpm and plenty of saving.
Self sufficient so no problems there.
Unlikely to qualify for any means tested stuff.

Carer below pension age, plenty of savings which provide small amout of income.

We are not struggling just eating into savings(which is partly why they are there) while I cannot go back to work.

OH also has income but can not work as much as they could if we were not providing the carer roles. Unlikely to qualify for anything for our own home.


If I was looking for work I would get my NI credits and contributions JSA, some way to get the NI would be good just in case I am short.

Oldernotwiser

Have you allowed for the fact that you only need 30 years' contributions for a full pension these days?

getmore4less

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Have you allowed for the fact that you only need 30 years' contributions for a full pension these days?

Yes, but not got an up to date check might be a few short.

Might not be an issue for much longer things have been progressing a little faster than we had hoped, it was looking good up to this weekend but home care may be too much for us and if we don't get support it will probably be hospital/hospice.

Benefits_Bod

getmore4less wrote: »

Cared 75+ pensions/AA >£1kpm and plenty of saving.
Self sufficient so no problems there.
Unlikely to qualify for any means tested stuff.

Carer below pension age, plenty of savings which provide small amout of income.

"Cared for": It's worth noting there is no capital limit for claiming Pension Credit. The standard level of Pension Credit is £132.60 for a single person. Normally, entitlement to AA would increase that by £53.65 ("Severe Disability Premium"), but payment of CA to the carer means that premium won't be payable. If the "cared fors" level of income is above the PC level, but not by much, there may be entitlement to Housing Benefit (if rent is paid) and / or Council Tax Benefit. However, unless the "guaranteed" element" of PC is payable, there is a capital limit of £16,000 for HB/CTB.

Carer: If cap is £16,000 or less, HB/CTB? If you are single and CA is your only source of income, my advice would be to claim HB/CTB. If you have a partner with income / capital, those finances will be taken into account.