How do things work with careers allowance?

Sarah_back_home

Hi,

Sorry - this is a bit long, just don't know what to do for the best.

Me and hubby up until recently lived and worked in France (helped with the management of a friends small hotel) but earlier this year hubby's dad died and we had promised him that we'd come back to look after MIL. We've always been close to them so this was always taken as a given as far as we were concerned (and as long as MIL was happy).

When we last saw FIL he begged us to take care of her and he mentioned that before getting ill he'd been claiming careers allowance for MIL and that one of us should do that when we returned (she's very arthritic and can't walk very far). We packed up in France and got back as soon as we could but FIL past away before our return.

Now we've moved back MIL seems really reluctant for us to claim it. The problem is neither of us currently work and one of us would need to stay at home to care for her (we both feel strongly about this). Plus it's cost us quite a lot to move back and our flat in France just isn't selling.
What worries me is that FIL had been worried that others in the family would take advantage of MIL once he'd gone. Could another member of the family be claiming careers allowance? MIL is very protective of one of her other children and according to FIL this SIL had "borrowing" from them for sometime...even though they really didn't have the money to spare

With FIL gone hardly any of the family seem to make much of an effort with MIL - even though most live within 5 miles!

Neither hubby or I feel we can ask MIL direct about the careers allowance but it is getting to a point that we are struggling top make ends meet. Is it possible for us to find out any other way?
Sorry for such a long post - we are trying our best to make MIL's life a little easier and just don't know where we stand. Neither hubby or I have ever claimed and have no idea how things work.

Thanks,
Sarah

Gingerbiscuit_2

Only one person can claim to be caring for one person at a time, this would all be on the form so if you did apply then any checks would show if any other family member was doing this.

While I do understand not wishing to talk to MIL about money side, for carers allownace you have to be caring for at least 35h a week so she must be away that one of you is not working to provide this? Seems very unlikely that 2 people are doing 35h a week for the same person and the other person would be unaware.

If you provide the care and you need the help to continue to do so then I'm afraid you will just have to bring the subject up.

Mojisola

It's the carer who claims CA so just go ahead and claim it.

Oldernotwiser

Couldn't your husband ask his brother or sister (the one you suspect of claiming CA) whether they are already claiming it?

Alternatively, go ahead and claim it and, if you're turned down because someone's already getting it, I think that you'll be told.

DX2

If you are unable to talk about CA, do you know what other benefits she gets? Are you sure she gets DLA or AA?
As others say apply for CA and they will soon tell you if someone else is claiming it.

GlasweJen

The person on benefits has to sign to say that they agree to someone claiming carers allowance for them and that they understand that this can impact income based benefits.