Carers Allowance ending

Andrew2809

I am new here, disabled and need a bit of help if possible. I hope I am posting this in the right place.

I live alone in rented sheltered housing. For the past four years a neighbour has provided care for me at various times of the day for about 5 hours per day and has claimed Carers Allowance for caring for me.

Unfortunately two weeks ago she dropped the bombshell on me that she was moving away and would no longer be able to care for me anymore. Her final week of caring for me ends tomorrow. As I cannot find another carer wanting to claim the Carers Allowance, I will probably have to speak with Social Services about obtaining care that way.

Anyway I spoke with the resident warden last week (who yesterday went on holiday for three weeks leaving warden cover via a mobile warden service). The regular warden mentioned I should inform the Housing Benefit people as now nobody is going to be claiming Carers Allowance I should get more Housing Benefit. However I cannot recall what this extra Housing Benefit was called. It was something Premium if that sounds right?

Also, do I have to inform anyone else I no longer have a carer who claims Carers Allowance for looking after me?.

Thank you.

Aarons_mummy

I'm sure that there is something you can claim or that is added on to your original claim if no-one is caring for you, I know my Gran got something because no-one cared for her but I have no idea what it's called.

I'm sure someone will be along who can give you definitive answers soon

nannytone_2

possibly the warden is talking about the severe disability premium you can get if no one is claiming carers allowance for you.
you must be living alone and on means tested benefit to qualify.

CouponWoman

Do you claim income support as part of your income. If you do you need to inform the DWP that you no longer have a carer claiming carers allowance. This would increase your benefit entitlement. If you don't have income support at the moment it might be worth claiming it as without a carer your entitlement would increase.

The addition is a premium for some who lives alone and no one claims carers allowance for looking after them, as nannytone says, called a severe disability premium.

Do you pay any rent or council tax at all.

Inform the Local authority of your change of circumstances to be on the safe side.

CWxx

Andrew2809

nannytone wrote: »

possibly the warden is talking about the severe disability premium you can get if no one is claiming carers allowance for you.
you must be living alone and on means tested benefit to qualify.

Thank you, yes I think it maybe Severe Disability Premium come to think of it, although I don't think I get means tested benefits apart from Housing and Council benefits albeit I do live alone.
I am only 53 but live in sheltered housing due to my disability/injuries.

If I do get Social Services care, can the Carers Allowance be used to offset the cost of the Social Services carers?

Thank you again.

seven-day-weekend

Housing and Council Tax benefits are means-tested Benefits.

SuziQ

Would you be eligible for the Direct payments scheme where you employ and manage your own care with a social services budget? Do you have a social worker to advise you with all this? If not I think it would be worth contacting your local SS deot and asking for some advice. Hope you get something sorted very soon!

Darlyd

Andrew2809 wrote: »

Thank you, yes I think it maybe Severe Disability Premium come to think of it, although I don't think I get means tested benefits apart from Housing and Council benefits albeit I do live alone.
I am only 53 but live in sheltered housing due to my disability/injuries.

If I do get Social Services care, can the Carers Allowance be used to offset the cost of the Social Services carers?

Thank you again.

Hey hun, I think you need to contact social services, They will come and assess you and find a care company. You won't have to pay the full invoice but maybe some towards it, depends on your income. I know all of this because I am a care worker myself. But I would contact DWP asap to let them know change of circumstances.

Andrew2809

darlyd wrote: »

Hey hun, I think you need to contact social services, They will come and assess you and find a care company. You won't have to pay the full invoice but maybe some towards it, depends on your income. I know all of this because I am a care worker myself. But I would contact DWP asap to let them know change of circumstances.

Thank you.

I contacted Social Services today and someone will be coming to visit to do some form of Care Assesment then someone else will do a financial assessment apparantly but they cannot give a timescale for these visits at the moment..

I don't get any benefits from the DWP though

Andrew

Mojisola

Andrew2809 wrote: »

I don't get any benefits from the DWP though

What do you live off? Being in need of a carer does suggest that you're not well enough to work. If you're not well enough to work, you should be entitled to benefits.

sunnyone

Andrew2809 wrote: »

Thank you.

I contacted Social Services today and someone will be coming to visit to do some form of Care Assesment then someone else will do a financial assessment apparantly but they cannot give a timescale for these visits at the moment..

I don't get any benefits from the DWP though

Andrew

You get DLA, thats a benefit and it comes from the DWP.

If you have money put away/a decent private income you will fail the financial assessment for SS, you will then be charged silly money for a service thats not worth minimum wage so you are better off doing what I do and finding yourself a decent carer that you pay yourself from your DLA and other income.