MSE News: Hidden carers miss out on £1,000s in benefits help

FBaby

Also a number of carers are at the age that finding a job is becoming more and more difficult with the alternative being on JSA and all what goes with it.

ady_j

Dunroamin wrote: »

If my husband had chosen to claim DLA before retirement age, I wouldn't even have been eligible for CA because of my occupational pension, so I do know how difficult it can be.

But those who claim knowledge about a subject and then spout utter rubbish should maybe take a moment to reflect before they start typing.

As has been stated, entitlement to CA can also allow access to other benefits / allowances, someone looking for advice on here may see statements such as the above and never even apply.

Dunroamin

ady_j wrote: »

But those who claim knowledge about a subject and then spout utter rubbish should maybe take a moment to reflect before they start typing.

As has been stated, entitlement to CA can also allow access to other benefits / allowances, someone looking for advice on here may see statements such as the above and never even apply.

You seem to have missed the bit where I was corrected and I apologised for getting it wrong. You also seem to have missed my post about all the other benefits that someone getting CA can access.

Never mind, none of us can get it right all the time.

Soapn

LunaLady wrote: »

Not everyone can afford to do it just for love though.

I dont claim CA as I work now that DS is at school and attending FT, but I know parents who are not as lucky as I am with regards to supportive schools, out of school care etc.

I know a few families who had two working parents, now one parent has had to stay at home with a disabled child. CA doesnt cover the extra wage.

but they will likely get Tax credits of some sort? Wattdallas also says she gets help with her mortgage. And the fostering money.

LunaLady

Soapn wrote: »

but they will likely get Tax credits of some sort? Wattdallas also says she gets help with her mortgage. And the fostering money.

But I am not talking about wattdallas, I am talking about other people and there are plenty of them.

Mojisola

dalgio wrote: »

If someone receives the State Pension, they too cannot claim Carers Allowance.

They could get an underlying entitlement to CA, depending on income.

Dunroamin

LunaLady wrote: »

Not everyone can afford to do it just for love though.

I dont claim CA as I work now that DS is at school and attending FT, but I know parents who are not as lucky as I am with regards to supportive schools, out of school care etc.

I know a few families who had two working parents, now one parent has had to stay at home with a disabled child. CA doesnt cover the extra wage.

I fully appreciate that and I'm happy that people who can't manage otherwise get all the help that they do. I just get annoyed with people who think that you can't be a carer if you don't claim CA (I know that's not you) and people who say that carers only get £58 per week, ignoring the other benefits that are available for households with low (or no) incomes.

LunaLady

Dunroamin wrote: »

I fully appreciate that and I'm happy that people who can't manage otherwise get all the help that they do. I just get annoyed with people who think that you can't be a carer if you don't claim CA (I know that's not you) and people who say that carers only get £58 per week, ignoring the other benefits that are available for households with low (or no) incomes.

Oh yes I agree with you.

For me there should definitely be a massive push towards OOS care for children with additional needs. I am lucky that I have a SN childminder for DS (and I wouldnt be able to work without her), but it comes at a real cost - £8.50 an hour. I am lucky that DS gets DLA which covers most of this, but I am the exception rather than the norm and I would like to see that change.

sjg1950

Chorlie wrote: »

Is it still the case that once you are of State Pension Age and start to draw your State Pension CA stops, because you can't have both?

Mine did, although I had to ring up and ask about it so that I didnt have to repay later

Dunroamin

dalgio wrote: »

No you can't! If your State pension is greater than £58.45 a week you cannot be paid any Carers Allowance! Thems the rules!
If however you get say Pension Credit then you would get the reduced amount of Carers Allowance of £32.60 a week.

That's what the poster said!