ESA, IIDB & Pension Credit - is it a waste of time?

krisskross

creditcardhelp11 wrote: »

They don't actually reduce your carer's allowance. The extra money because you're entitled to Carer's Allowance but not paid is the Carers Premium on Pension Credit. You should both also be getting the severe disability premium as you are both classed as severely disabled. The IIDB would reduce the Pension credit because Pension Credit is means tested and will be reduced by most forms of income. However, ESA-C, SP, IIDB, DLA and AA are non-means tested. For those with lots of savings or income, it is better to claim ESA, IIDB etc… rather than claiming Pension Credit as it is means tested. However, Pension credit can come with an Assessed Income Period. If for example you win the lottery during that period then you do not have to inform the pension service and your pension credit would not be reduced during that period. However, changes such as new benefit entitlement (IIDB) and moving address must be conveyed to the pension service.

Ah so we get no extra because we don't get pension credit?

Seems like all that scrimping to pay into private pensions has actually done us no good at all

Mojisola

krisskross wrote: »

I know it can happen but still see it as bonkers that someone can claim a fairly high rate of DLA and have someone claim carers allowance for them as they need minimum 35 hours care a week but can then claim Carers allowance for looking after someone else disabled for over 35 hours. Completely mad.

The care provided can be supervision. My parents both get AA and the underlying entitlement to CA. Neither of them could be left on their own - now, when one of them is in hospital, someone has to go and live with the other. They keep an eye on each other, share, for example, getting their breakfasts ready and do other things that one would struggle to do alone. Most important of all, they can summon help when it's needed instead of one of them being left for hours after falling or injuring themselves.

krisskross

Mojisola wrote: »

The care provided can be supervision. My parents both get AA and the underlying entitlement to CA. Neither of them could be left on their own - now, when one of them is in hospital, someone has to go and live with the other. They keep an eye on each other, share, for example, getting their breakfasts ready and do other things that one would struggle to do alone. Most important of all, they can summon help when it's needed instead of one of them being left for hours after falling or injuring themselves.

Err we both keep an eye on each other. Should we really get extra money for that? Isn't that what husbands/wives do anyway.

I have arranged a careline system with a bracelet thing so my husband could get help if I wasn't there. Costs about £10 a month

creditcardhelp11

krisskross wrote: »

Err we both keep an eye on each other. Should we really get extra money for that? Isn't that what husbands/wives do anyway.

I have arranged a careline system with a bracelet thing so my husband could get help if I wasn't there. Costs about £10 a month

Carecall/Careline - you can get a rebate grant to cover the cost if you are receiving Pension Credit (Guarantee element).

Regardless of what you personally think about the Carer Premium and the claimants, they have every right to apply for it if they meet the conditions as prescribed by law.

krisskross

creditcardhelp11 wrote: »

Carecall/Careline - you can get a rebate grant to cover the cost if you are receiving Pension Credit (Guarantee element).

Regardless of what you personally think about the Carer Premium and the claimants, they have every right to apply for it if they meet the conditions as prescribed by law.

Oh I agree. I just wish we hadn't bothered with the private pensions as we would be better off now on pension credit, plus we would have had that £250 a month extra when we were working.

Mojisola

krisskross wrote: »

Err we both keep an eye on each other. Should we really get extra money for that? Isn't that what husbands/wives do anyway.

I have arranged a careline system with a bracelet thing so my husband could get help if I wasn't there. Costs about £10 a month

Neither of them could live independently and the current system allows them to claim the extra money so they do and it helps to pay for some outside care. In the same way that parents can claim DLA and CA for a child who needs more care than a healthy child, my parents are doing more caring than would be normal if they were both well.

I think they're both past the stage of being able to call for help with an alarm system - Mum's dementia and the confusion that Dad gets following falls and other accidents means I couldn't be sure they would either know where the alarms were or remember to use them. Phoning me is hardwired into their brains and is their default reaction to problems.

krisskross

Mojisola wrote: »

Neither of them could live independently and the current system allows them to claim the extra money so they do and it helps to pay for some outside care. In the same way that parents can claim DLA and CA for a child who needs more care than a healthy child, my parents are doing more caring than would be normal if they were both well.

I think they're both past the stage of being able to call for help with an alarm system - Mum's dementia and the confusion that Dad gets following falls and other accidents means I couldn't be sure they would either know where the alarms were or remember to use them. Phoning me is hardwired into their brains and is their default reaction to problems.

the alarm system we use is connected to the phone line but you don't need to use the actual phone. Pressing the button on either a pendant or bracelet activates someone at careline who speaks to the person. Their equipment can pick up the speech from anywhere in the house or even in the garden. and of course they know the name and address even if the person is unable to give it

Careline collect the information about GP, next of kin etc when it is set up. Also about medication etc. They would phone the emergency services etc if felt necessary as well as the person they have a contact phone number for.

Maybe something that would be useful for your parents?

Mojisola

krisskross wrote: »

Maybe something that would be useful for your parents?

I'm familiar with the system because my parents used to be the first call for a neighbour who had one of these alarms.

At the moment they phone me. I can't see any benefit in going through an intermediary just to get to me.

creditcardhelp11

Mojisola wrote: »

I'm familiar with the system because my parents used to be the first call for a neighbour who had one of these alarms.

At the moment they phone me. I can't see any benefit in going through an intermediary just to get to me.

The benefit could be times when you are not at home.

krisskross

creditcardhelp11 wrote: »

The benefit could be times when you are not at home.

Or if they are unable to get to the phone or speak perhaps