dla, carer something or other and ctc?

lou-p-lou

Hello. This is my first benefit post so please be gentle

My little boy was 'awarded' dla high care rate and low mobility rate last week. (autistic spectrum disorder)
I informed the tax credit helpline as our family currently receives child tax credit, thinking they would reduce it. A friend has told me that it won't be reduced because the dla is for my son, which is great, but they also said my tax credit will increase.
Why will we get more tax credit just because my little one gets dla?
She also said I was supposed to claim for some sort of carer benefit because my son is getting the higher rate, but I am his mum, not his carer so am I allowed to NOT claim this (as in, they won't stop the dla because i'm not claiming the other one?)
thankyou for your time.

rotoguys

lou-p-lou wrote: »

Hello. This is my first benefit post so please be gentle

My little boy was 'awarded' dla high care rate and low mobility rate last week. (autistic spectrum disorder)
I informed the tax credit helpline as our family currently receives child tax credit, thinking they would reduce it. A friend has told me that it won't be reduced because the dla is for my son, which is great, but they also said my tax credit will increase.
Why will we get more tax credit just because my little one gets dla?
She also said I was supposed to claim for some sort of carer benefit because my son is getting the higher rate, but I am his mum, not his carer so am I allowed to NOT claim this (as in, they won't stop the dla because i'm not claiming the other one?)
thankyou for your time.

Yes what you are saying is totally correct. For some perverse reason, if you get at least the Mid care rate, you get more money thrown at you for no obvious reason.

As an example, I get Mid care/High mobility and my wife gets low Attendance allowance. We were happy with those results and the extra £150 a week that started to come in. It was a fair result and represented both our problems.

Then I find out that it just doesn't stop there. On top of that I was told to claim Carers Allowance (me for looking after her and her for looking after me!!!), that gave us another £62 a week, then we had a letter saying that we could have another £110.60 because we were both disabled??????
On top of that, because the DLA/AA pushed us into Pension Credit, we now get another £69.00 a week for our motgage plus other money.

So DLA or AA on its own covers the disabilities - but I still question why should we should be getting another £174.60 on TOP because of those same disabilities. It's like being paid twice over.

lou-p-lou

I felt awkward enough admitting my husbands wages didn't stretch far enough to cover the things my son needs to make all of our lives easier, but the dla will cover that.
I just feel that as I am his mum, these things I already do for him and don't need a payment for that.
I had already decided to be a stay at home mum years before my son was born (he is my 3rd child) so nothing's changed there.
it just feels greedy to me in my little boys case. With yourself and your wife, both being disabled must be hugely stressful, make trips away, shopping, just everyday life harder and slower so I can see why you would've been told to claim all the different things available.
With us, its like having a permanent 3 year old i have decided, only bigger and stronger and louder> and with harder kicks!

rogerblack

lou-p-lou wrote: »

I felt awkward enough admitting my husbands wages didn't stretch far enough to cover the things my son needs to make all of our lives easier, but the dla will cover that.
I just feel that as I am his mum, these things I already do for him and don't need a payment for that.

You don't have to claim it of course, but if someone gets DLA mid, or high-rate care, someone can claim carers allowance if they meet the conditions.
35 hours of care a week, and earning under 100/week (after specific allowances)

DorsetGirl_2

Dont forget it will mean your NI stamp gets paid.

rotoguys

lou-p-lou wrote: »

I felt awkward enough admitting my husbands wages didn't stretch far enough to cover the things my son needs to make all of our lives easier, but the dla will cover that.
I just feel that as I am his mum, these things I already do for him and don't need a payment for that.
I had already decided to be a stay at home mum years before my son was born (he is my 3rd child) so nothing's changed there.
it just feels greedy to me in my little boys case. With yourself and your wife, both being disabled must be hugely stressful, make trips away, shopping, just everyday life harder and slower so I can see why you would've been told to claim all the different things available.
With us, its like having a permanent 3 year old i have decided, only bigger and stronger and louder> and with harder kicks!

Yes you are right in your comments.
As for us, one of the vows we each made was to look after each other in sickness and in health. I don't remember anything being added about '........and don't forget the benefits you may be able to claim to'.

We were quite happy with what we were getting, then bang, here comes nearly another £400 a week!!

I personally think it is wrong that we were told to claim money for looking after each other. We do that out of love and affection for each other and don't need money which doesn't help in any way.

As for the £110 extra why? We already get compensated for our disabilities through DLA & AA.

Whoever dreamed up this system should be shot at dawn.

The sooner all of this is changed and removed the better. Roll on PIP and Universal Credit.

lou-p-lou

as I get child benefit for my 3 kids, I thought the N.I stamp was automatic? Not that [EMAIL="i@ve"]i've[/EMAIL] looked into it for a long time!

rotoguys

rogerblack wrote: »

You don't have to claim it of course, but if someone gets DLA mid, or high-rate care, someone can claim carers allowance if they meet the conditions.
35 hours of care a week, and earning under 100/week (after specific allowances)

Yes I agree you don't have to claim it, but you try explaining your reasons to Social Services and the Welfare Rights guy! They almost insist that you do claim it and you are made to feel that there is something seriously wrong with you if you don't.

That's how I came to claim it - I felt pressured into it.

lou-p-lou

it does seem strange that people are told to claim carers for looking after each other. I don't understand the system at all. I knew I was applying for one, then I got all confused when told about all the other things i am 'supposed' to do, but if I don't have to apply, and not applying won't affect the amount my son gets then I think we'll stick where we are. If the forms are even half as long as the dla ones were then that alone is enough to put me off! Thankyou all for your replies, much appreciated.

rotoguys

lou-p-lou wrote: »

as I get child benefit for my 3 kids, I thought the N.I stamp was automatic? Not that i've looked into it for a long time!

It is!

And don't let others make you feel that you must claim something that you don't wish to.
It's about time people were allowed to make their choices and not be made to feel outsiders because they choose to have an alternative view on life.

There will always be those that will claim every penny they can with a clear conscience, and there are others that have a view that it is immoral to expect payment for something that is normally carried out by any parent, husband or wife.

Newly_retired

Some people with enough care needs to warrant DLA ( middle or higher rate) will be really glad of the extra money, either in disability premiums to Tax Credits or in Carer's Allowance, to cover the additional expenses of looking after the child/adult whose needs are above what is usual.
Extra money can help pay for some respite care when things get too much for the carer, or for extra help around the house, extra costs of transport to appointments or to help look after the rest of the family whilst the child/person's needs are being met.
Of course you are not obliged to claim it, but if you have expenses you are struggling to meet, or have any debts, then this is a way to help.
My elderly parents had no idea they were entitled to certain disability related benefits but once they did, and claimed, they could use the money for extra help. It made a lot of difference to the quality of their lives, in small but significant ways.