Carers help?

money_saver_mummy

Hi, im just wondering if anyone can help me. My mum has become my carer after having an operation on my feet to help with a disability i have had since birth. I have a toddler and cant really walk or do anything in that respect at the moment.

The problem is my mum has started to claim carers allowance for looking after me and has left work for the time being,but we live 12 miles apart obviously with the petrol prices being so high at the moment and the carers allowance being so low she can afford to pay petrol. The same applies to me too and i should be the one paying for the petrol really.

Does any one know of any help with travel costs that can be claimed back or claimed for? I cant see any options at the moment as my home is really small and i cant expect my mum to stay at my house to avoid costs as she has her own home to run and this problem im having is expected to last 6months or so. I dont really want someone else caring for me and my daughter as i dont know who to trust these days and im suffering with post natal depression which makes it hard to socialise with people etc. Also does anyone know of any other help that i can receive? I am currently on DLA and have a blue badge.

Thanks alot!!! Any help is much appreciated!!!

dmg24

What rate of DLA do you receive? Your DLA is for care and mobility costs - surely this should be covering the petrol?

kingfisherblue

I don't think there is any help towards petrol, apart from your DLA that you already receive.

If your mum has no other income and is single, she may be able to claim some income support, as well as council tax benefit and housing benefit (if she rents her house). If she has a partner, their income will be taken into consideration. She will not be able to claim IS, but if their joint income is low, they might be able to make a joint claim for CTB and HB.

Could your mum stay a couple of nights a week to reduce costs? Or would public transport be cheaper (weekly or monthly tickets save quite a bit of money).

the only other thing that I can suggest is that you try to save money elsewhere, so that you can afford to pay something towards petrol for your mum. I'm not suggesting that you are in debt, but if you post a Statement of Affairs on the Debtfree Wannabe board, the posters over there will try to help you reduce costs.