Definition for Carers Allowance

50Twuncle

I was wondering whether anyone knew the definition of "CARING FOR ... 35 Hours per week" for Carers Allowance ?
I assume that they include washing, cleaning, cooking etc etc ?

I am on DLA mid care and was wondering whether my wife could claim CA ?

sock-knitter

your wife could claim carers based ont he fact that she does care for you, but it also depends on whether she has a job and the hours and pay she gets

50Twuncle

sock-knitter wrote: »

your wife could claim carers based ont he fact that she does care for you, but it also depends on whether she has a job and the hours and pay she gets

She doesn't have a job (made redundant 2 months ago from a 20hour per week job) and has been told - No Job Seekers (her NI contributions are not high enough)
We do have savings - so no income based benefits !!

MrsManda

21Twinkle wrote: »

She doesn't have a job (made redundant 2 months ago from a 20hour per week job) and has been told - No Job Seekers (her NI contributions are not high enough)
We do have savings - so no income based benefits !!

It sounds like she can claim Carer's Allowance as she's not earning more than £100 a week and isn't in full time education. Details about eligibility and how to apply can be found here:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Caringforsomeone/DG_10012525

According to DWP guidance there is no legal definition of 'caring' but it's expected that the carer and the disabled person are together most of the time which if you are living with your wife and she's not in full time work/education this condition should be satisfied.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dmgch60.pdf - section 60041

50Twuncle

MrsManda wrote: »

It sounds like she can claim Carer's Allowance as she's not earning more than £100 a week and isn't in full time education. Details about eligibility and how to apply can be found here:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Caringforsomeone/DG_10012525

According to DWP guidance there is no legal definition of 'caring' but it's expected that the carer and the disabled person are together most of the time which if you are living with your wife and she's not in full time work/education this condition should be satisfied.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dmgch60.pdf - section 60041

My wife is still signing on - although no payments are being made - presumably her NI contributions are being paid by DWP ?
She is still expected to attend job seekers courses and to apply for 4 jobs per week (up to 1 1/2 hours away) or risk losing her "benefits" - all of which I assume CA will not need ?

daska

No, CA don't need to you try to find a job if you're claiming carer's allowance, on the basis that they are paying you well below minimum wage to undertake a 35 hour working week. (will be £1.587 an hour from April)

For each week you receive Carer's Allowance you will normally get a National Insurance (NI) contribution added to your NI record up to the tax year in which you reach State Pension age (unless you are a woman who has chosen to pay reduced rate NI contributions).

savvyme_4

I have just claimed CA as, although I don't live with my 86 yr old mum, I spend over 35 hrs caring for her. I live just around the corner from her. I also work part time but earn just over £100 pw, therefore I probably won't be eligible but I have applied anyway. My husband has just lost his job but fortunately has found a driving job for 16 hrs pw at the basic hourly rate. The only benefit we are entitled to at the moment is working tax credit as we both earn really low wages.

We are both in our 50s and have a mortgage, car to run (I have to run a car as I drive my mum everywhere), bills etc etc. with no prospect of getting well paid full time work due to our ages and the fact there are no jobs in our area. I say apply for it anyway, I hope you do get it. Good luck

MrsManda

savvyme wrote: »

I have just claimed CA as, although I don't live with my 86 yr old mum, I spend over 35 hrs caring for her. I live just around the corner from her. I also work part time but earn just over £100 pw, therefore I probably won't be eligible but I have applied anyway.

Depending on how much over £100 you earn a week you may still be entitled - you can earn upto £100 after expenses (National Insurance Contributions, Income Tax, half of any money you pay into personal/occupational pension schemes)
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Caringforsomeone/DG_10012525

Mojisola

21Twinkle wrote: »

I was wondering whether anyone knew the definition of "CARING FOR ... 35 Hours per week" for Carers Allowance ?
I assume that they include washing, cleaning, cooking etc etc ?

I don't think there is a definition of "caring" for CA. In some circumstances, it may be very intensive care for a bed-bound person; in others, it may just be being there in case of falls or to prevent other injuries. Your wife will be with you most of the time so will fulfill the hours requirement and there should be no problem in getting CA.

50Twuncle

Thanks - we have applied for CA - How long before we hear from them ?
Do they generally carry out any assessments ?

daska

Mojisola wrote: »

I don't think there is a definition of "caring" for CA. In some circumstances, it may be very intensive care for a bed-bound person; in others, it may just be being there in case of falls or to prevent other injuries. Your wife will be with you most of the time so will fulfill the hours requirement and there should be no problem in getting CA.

When I rang the Carer's Allowance Unit (0845 6084321) they made it even broader, you don't even need to be with the person your caring for as it can also cover being available at the end of a phone.