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Dad full time carer to mum..

chokolat2
Posts: 438 Forumite
Hi there,
I am in need of some help and advice please.
My mum receives DLA, middle rate of care component.
My dad who also lives in same house, also suffers from some medical conditions, but also cares for mum. As I understand - he can claim Carer's Allowance to become classed as a "full time carer"? He basically does that now anyway..caring full time.
However he is also in the process of applying for ESA - how will this affect it? And if he doesn't get it, will benefits such as Housing Benefit/Council Tax still be paid even though mum gets DLA but the house is in my dad's name?
A bit of a confusing situation, I hope I made sense. All replies highly appreciated
I am in need of some help and advice please.
My mum receives DLA, middle rate of care component.
My dad who also lives in same house, also suffers from some medical conditions, but also cares for mum. As I understand - he can claim Carer's Allowance to become classed as a "full time carer"? He basically does that now anyway..caring full time.
However he is also in the process of applying for ESA - how will this affect it? And if he doesn't get it, will benefits such as Housing Benefit/Council Tax still be paid even though mum gets DLA but the house is in my dad's name?
A bit of a confusing situation, I hope I made sense. All replies highly appreciated

0
Comments
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Hi there,
He can claim Carers Allowance for caring for your mother as long as he meets the applicable criteria (gives a minimum of 35 hours care a week).
He should then claim Income Support for the couple - it won't affect Mum's DLA - and then Housing and Council Tax Benefit.
Hope this helps.PLEASE NOTE:
I limit myself to responding to threads where I feel I have enough knowledge to make a useful contribution. My advice (and indeed any advice on this type of forum) should only be seen as a pointer to something you may wish to investigate further. Never act on any forum advice without confirmation from an accountable source.0 -
Basically what I am trying to say - if my dad becomes a full time carer (more than 35 hours) will the Housing Benefit be continued? Or would he have to contribute something towards it?
Thanks again.0 -
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Definitely, in that case, claim Carer's Allowance - once granted, your father will be removed from the requirement to have to look for work all the time he ius a carer.
Then, as I said, claim IS for the couple, followed by HB and CTB - I have experience of this particular course of action and can confirm that it is the most appropriate one under the circumstances you outline.
By doing things this way, he won't have to have the ESA 'medical' and try and score the appropriate number of points - he will be exempted from the need to seek work.
To answer your point a couple of posts ago - if he is granted Carer's, then IS, then full HB is automatic - he shouldn't have to pay any top-up if he doesn't already.PLEASE NOTE:
I limit myself to responding to threads where I feel I have enough knowledge to make a useful contribution. My advice (and indeed any advice on this type of forum) should only be seen as a pointer to something you may wish to investigate further. Never act on any forum advice without confirmation from an accountable source.0 -
Thanks again CrazyRed
So just to clarify the situation- my dad is already getting HB and CT. He has been on Incapacity for years, but due to everyone being re-assessed for ESA, we just waiting to hear their outcome.
However, if he goes down the route of being a full time carer for my mum, which in reality he is now doing anyway, and claim Carer's Allowance - he will be exempt from work, care for mum, and have the time to get treatment himself for his own medical condition. He is reaching the pension age quite soon too...
With all the above, he can make a claim for Income Support based on the fact that he is a full time carer (more than 35hours) therefore cannot work as looking after my mum. His HB and CT will continue as normal...
Am I understanding you correctly?0 -
Hi there,
Yes, you understand my gist correctly.
However, it might be worth a call to the Benefits Advice Line first before doing anything else - I wasn't aware he'd been on IB 'for years' - I found them very, very helpful in my situation (almost, but not quite the same as yours) and they gave some very good advice.
It's a free call to the Benefits Enquiry Line (0800 882 200) and they'll be able to advise him more fully. They specialise in giving benefit-related information to disabled persons and their carers. I suspect, however, that they'll give the same advice as I did above but it would be wise to consult them for general advice first.....PLEASE NOTE:
I limit myself to responding to threads where I feel I have enough knowledge to make a useful contribution. My advice (and indeed any advice on this type of forum) should only be seen as a pointer to something you may wish to investigate further. Never act on any forum advice without confirmation from an accountable source.0 -
Of course, will call them.
Thanks again for your help0
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