Sign off JSA to care for brother.

Indie_Kid

Garth1 wrote: »

He has had the needs for the past 5 months. he has been unable to walk and it's only now that he's had the operation. i think the next 6 months is the stairs where he lives.

But will they last for another 6?

dmg24

Garth1 wrote: »

He has had the needs for the past 5 months. he has been unable to walk and it's only now that he's had the operation. i think the next 6 months is the stairs where he lives.

Getting up and down stairs is not a care need per se. Does he not have a physio or OT who can help him with adapting the property?

cassieB57

Ask for a variation of your jobseeker's Agreement to reflect that you have 'caring responsibilities' You still have to be available for work for JSA, but can ask for the hours to be restricted (though you must be available at least 16 hrs a week). you can claim IS as a carer, if you are caring for at least 35 hours a week for someone who is either receiving middle or higher rate care component of DLA, or who has made a claim, until the claim has been decided. You can only get Carer's Allowance if they are actually receiving DLA MR or HR care.

Indie_Kid

dmg24 wrote: »

Getting up and down stairs is not a care need per se. Does he not have a physio or OT who can help him with adapting the property?

Even if it was, (I was told it was a care need - although DWP can't agree on whether I need help going up and down stairs) it wouldn't take that long / that much of the day.

dmg24

sh1305 wrote: »

Even if it was, (I was told it was a care need - although DWP can't agree on whether I need help going up and down stairs) it wouldn't take that long / that much of the day.

It is only really a care need if it is essential in a personal care activity. So, if there is no way of sleeping/ toileting on the same level it could be part of those activities. However, as you say it is only going to be needed for a relatively short time each day, and the OT should be able to suggest adaptations to eliminate (or minimise) the need.

Garth1

he had problems with putting pressure on both feet so crutches were no use and he was using a wheelchair. that's where the stairs came in. now he has had one foot done i expect he will be able to use crutches.

he is having adaptions made.

dmg24

If he has problems with both feet, he is more likely to be entitled to the mobility element - always helps if you give us the full story!

Garth1

cassieB57 wrote: »

Ask for a variation of your jobseeker's Agreement to reflect that you have 'caring responsibilities' You still have to be available for work for JSA, but can ask for the hours to be restricted (though you must be available at least 16 hrs a week). you can claim IS as a carer, if you are caring for at least 35 hours a week for someone who is either receiving middle or higher rate care component of DLA, or who has made a claim, until the claim has been decided. You can only get Carer's Allowance if they are actually receiving DLA MR or HR care.

Thanks. i'll ask them about the responsibilities.

Oldernotwiser

Garth1 wrote: »

at the moment he's taking medication that knocks him out and makes him confused. he lives in a flat that only has stairs. i think it will only be short term but the social worker he has seems to suggest that he'll get full mobility and middle care.

when he pulls his finger out and fills the forms in i think he'll be up and about anyway.

Social workers are notoriously bad on benefits advice.

Once your brother has got over the shock and adapted to his disability, I can't see that he's have any care needs which will obviously be a good thing.

In the short term, couldn't you get a part time job to do when your brother doesn't need your help? Even 11 hours a week on NMW is better than JSA.