Worth claiming Carers Allowance?

Morglin

Someone has asked me if it would be worth them claiming Carers Allowance and I'm not sure:

A couple both in reciept of DLA (both HR mobility, one higher rate care and one middle), one in reciept of IB and one in receipt of RP, plus occupational pensions.

Neither claim CA as it would overlap with the IB and RP and there seemed to be little point.

But, is it worth them claiming it anyway, giving underlying entitlement, in order to get more Housing Benefit etc.,?

Or would it be no advantage?

Thanks.

Lin

Penny-Pincher!!

How old are they? Do they receive Income Support? If they are on IS they will receive a premium for carers allowance..I think about £27pw...so not to be sniffed at.

The person whom claims CA, does need to be caring for that person at least 35hrs pw. They could actually claim CA for each other, giving them a weekly boost of £50+ a week...maybe worth considering There are rules for claiming though and they cant be receiving over a certain amount each week of taxable income (IB, pensions etc). Here is a link:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/CaringForSomeone/MoneyMatters/MoneyArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=10012522&chk=kAko1j



HTH

PP
xx

**purplemoon**

Penny-Pincher!! wrote:

They could actually claim CA for each other, giving them a weekly boost of £50+ a week...maybe worth considering

But then they would each lose their entitlement to severe disability premium, worth approx £45 a week each, so they would actually be worse off by almost £50 a week!

lil_me

Where I have known it be investigated before is a person on IB claiming carers allowance, they have then been taken off IB as they can be employed as a carer and are therefore fit to work. Not always the case just something that I am aware of that has happened before.

Penny-Pincher!!

Hi

Sorry, hadnt thought of that. Do they receive IS then? Do they get the severe premium each?

Morglin

No, no IS in play and they are 65 & 52.

A recent commissioners report made it possible for those on DLA to claim CA iro another person (as emotional support is enough to qualify), but I was unclear about whether the premiums payable on HB/CTB would be more than if CA was not claimed.

I know they wouldn't gain on the payments because of overlap, just wasn't sure of the rest.

I wish they'd simplify all this - I used to work for them and I'm confused with all these premiums.

Thanks for the replies.

Lin

Mrs_B_12

Try Age Concern, they offer help to anyone over the age 55 with getting the right benefits.

Eager_Elephant

If we assume that it would not affect IB then there would be an underlying entitlement which would give them more Housing Benefit and Pension Credit and they would not lose SDP unless Carer's Allowance was physically paid.

Are they claiming Pension Credit yet?

I would be careful about losing the IB if declared fit enough to work.

EE

Ted_Hutchinson

It's sometimes easier to put the details in the calculator at Entitled to first with then without CA and see if it makes a difference.

Morglin

Thanks Ted - I'll try that. I should have thought of that anyway - having a "brainless" week here.:rolleyes:

Thanks to everyone for your help.

Lin