Carers Allowance

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi, just wondered what other people's experiences were of claiming carers allowance. I care for my son who only attends school 50% of the time due to his health. I was working until recently when I decided that I just couldnt carry on trying to work and look after him so I have decided to take a year out in the hope that things improve during that time.

My son receives HRC DLA and I definitely care for him more than 35 hrs a week. I am going to ring up on Monday for some forms but I am a bit apprehensive after the amount of time it took to sort out the DLA.

Has anyone claimed recently? What are the forms like and how long did it take to get a decision? I could do without a lot of additional hassle at the moment but the extra money would help.

nannytone_2

the fact that your son receives hrc is enough to automatically entitle you to ca, given the fact that you care for him for at leeast 35 hours per week.
as long as you don't earn more than £100 a week, it'll sail through/
if you get IS, then although you'll get the full amount of ca, your IS will reduce slightly. you will still be better off than with IS alone.

suelees1

It's quicker if you do it online and then usually takes a couple of weeks to process. There's no hassle with it.

YORKSHIRELASS

Thanks for the replies, I havent been paid my final wages yet so I guess I am technically still receiving more than £100 a week. Will make a claim when I have got that sorted, you have set my mind at rest though which is really appreciated.

midgetessa

I have been a carer for a family member for years and am in receipt of Carers Allowance

The whole process has been simple and hassle-free.....after applying you don't need to jump through any hoops or anything.

Also, if you are able, you can work and get up to about £100 a week and still receive it.

You'll be fine.

suelees1

Here is some info about earnings - there are some circs when you can actually earn more than £100 pw.

In working out your weekly earnings certain deductions can be made from your gross wages. For instance any tax and national insurance you pay is deducted, alongside half of any pension contributions you make.

If because of your work you have to pay someone else to care for the person you look after, or to look after your children, you may also be able to deduct these costs from your earnings. However the maximum amount that you can deduct for alternative care costs is 50% of what would otherwise have been your earnings. No deduction is allowed if the person you pay is a close relative.

YORKSHIRELASS

Thanks for that. At the moment working is pretty much impossible but its helpful to know that I could earn £100 after tax and still get carers allowance. I dont know exactly how things are going to work out financially and it may be that I do need to find a way of earning some money if we cant stretch the budget. I suspect that I will want to work at some point in the future too, just to get out of the house a bit, but it really depends on my sons health.

GillM

I recently applied - very simply - online and within 2 weeks a backdated figure was paid into my account followed by a letter detailing the amount I would get, paid 4 weekly, as I requested. No problems at all.

Tehya

YORKSHIRELASS wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, I havent been paid my final wages yet so I guess I am technically still receiving more than £100 a week. Will make a claim when I have got that sorted, you have set my mind at rest though which is really appreciated.

If you are just owed wages you can apply now as the money you are due would have been earned before the claim is submitted.

I left work February 28th this year my claim for CA started the following Monday (1st March) I was owed aroundf two months money (with holiday pay) and they didn't take it into account as it was earned before my claim for CA.

The claim itself was simple, quick and pretty much painless. I applied online but when I did need to talk to the CA staff they were really good at what they do.