Carers Allowance Question.

SupermanJ

Hi there.

To cut a long story short, I've been unemployed for a couple of years. I have not been claiming Job Seekers allowance or any other benefits, I have been living of my savings.

During the time i have been looking for jobs, but also helping out some family members who are disabled.

I have been told by family members that I should start to claim Carers allowance as I look after someone who claims disability allowance.

What I want to know is, Will they want to know how i've been supporting myself for the past couple of years? Will they need to know my finances ect?

Thanks.

DX2

Simple answer no, they don't ask questions like that when you start to claim CA.

However you must tell the person who get's DLA that you are applying for CA as it may affect some of their other benefits.

SupermanJ

Thank you.

The person who is claiming who DLA also said I should claim it.

You say they dont ask when you start to claim, do they ever ask?

Sorry for the questions, I'm just totally new to all this.

Thanks.

DX2

No.
The only think they may ask is if you work, you can claim CA and only earn £100 per, any savings you have doesn't affect CA.

DX2

Have a look at this link it may help you: http://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/help-with-money/benefits-a-tax-credits/carers-allowance

dalem_2

I did something similar to you some years ago and didn't claim any benefits, just lived off savings for about two years.
Some years down the line the benefit agency threw a bill at me for unpaid NI contributions that were unpaid for this time period when I didn't claim or work. Be careful of that.

lin473

You say you have been helping out 'some' family members who are disabled.
In order to claim carers allowance you need to be actually caring for any one of them for at least 35hrs and they must be on middle or high rate care.
I don't know if that helps clarify.
They don't ask question about you finances but will have to be told if you begin any amouint of work.

calleyw

dalem wrote: »

I did something similar to you some years ago and didn't claim any benefits, just lived off savings for about two years.
Some years down the line the benefit agency threw a bill at me for unpaid NI contributions that were unpaid for this time period when I didn't claim or work. Be careful of that.

What are you talking about. If you have gaps in your NI contributions the Customs and Revenue will let you know.

Nothing to do the with benefits agency. They send you information and allow you a long time ( I mean years)to pay if you wish to plug the gaps in your NI record. So that you have enough years to get your state pension.

If you wish to pay it you do if not you don't and miss out a year towards your state pension. I had a massive clear out and found one that I should have paid. As I had short fall on one year. But I filed it away and found it when it was too late.

Yours

Calley

happy_lass

you have to be caring for the person for 35 hours or more a week. You dont have to be living with them. Be mindful of the fact that if you claim carers allowance that it might affect some of the benefits that the other person may claim, that means that they might be left worse off. Carers allowance is not affected by any savings that you may have ( i think, i stand to be corrected ) . You can work and claim carers allowance but you cannot earn more than £100 a week or if you are paid monthly £433.32 ( ithink, once again , someone please correct me) . You must not be in full time study ( uni, college, studying for more than 21 hours a week) . The person who you care for must be in receipt of middle or high rate DLA. Cant think of anything else. Call the benefits enquiry line on 0800 882 200 and ask for more details and application form > good luck

SupermanJ

Hi there.

Thankyou for all your replies.

The person who I help care for (Which is for more than 35 hours a week) actually got me the form to fill in and has checked out what they will lose/if they will lose anything.

I just didnt want the tax man/benefits office start asking me questions about my finances/lack of a job and things if I started to claim.

Thanks again.

pcombo

The person on DLA wont lose a penny, or have there claim effcted in anyway.

You just claim for carers and income support.