Carers Allowance Query.

ALISONMICALLEF

I am a PA / support worker for my disabled nephew. His mother (my sister) has recently divorced and has now returned to work to support herself and her son. The funding for his care package is from ILF and direct payment. She has to pay a contribution to his care package for him to recieve it. She has now been told that because I am a family member who is his support, carers allowance will not take that contribution as an expense off her wage (which would take her under the allowed earnings threshold) but if it was anyone else at all working with her son, they would accept it as an expense and she would be awarded carers allowance. This is very unfair as his communication is very limited and very few people understand his needs so it would be very difficult and frustrating for him to have a complete stranger to support him. She does not pay me directly as my earnings come thru ILF. Surely it shouldnt matter who is employed to care for people (provided they do not live in the same house).. That is the general idea of Personalised Care throu Independent Living Fund. To give the person freedom of choice to employ who they want .. Has anyone else come accross the same problem at all ?

MrsManda

I'm not sure what you mean about Carer's Allowance being taken as an expense from her wage?
Carer's Allowance is a payment from the Government to someone who is a carer to a person who is receiving high or middle rate DLA for 35 or more hours a week.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Caringforsomeone/DG_10012525