carers allowance and jsa

nicole2216

At the moment I am claiming jsa for my husband and myself. Today I have sent off a claim for carers allowance. I informed my signing office of my intention and although my advisor didn't do a job search the last time I signed. I'm not sure if I should be job searching as I care for my neighbour for upto 7hours a day. my problem is no one at the job center seems to know what I should do if I do get awarded carers allowance. my household consists of 3daughters in education. Myself and my husband both not working. as I say at present I am claiming for both of us. who claims? Myself although I am a carer or hubby who could do with help with job searching as he has been a househusband for the past 9years.


many thanks
Nicole

benefitbaby

Hi,

As you have claimed CA you will be exempt from the labour market conditions (you won't be required to look for work), so you will not have to sign on once the CA is in place.

You need to nofity the benefit delivery centre (BDC) who administer your JSA that you have made a claim for CA so they can remove you from labour market conditions and add a carer premium to your JSA. It is not enought to tell your local Jobcentre as they do not process your benefit claims nor make the decisions.

Hubby should still sign on.

speedyturtle

I am not an expert when it comes to benefits but i thought you would have to care for more than 7 hours to be able to claim carers allowance. If i am wrong in thinking that and you are successful in getting carers allowance than i think you should be applying for income support. I am sure someone with more knowledge might be able to put more light on this issue.
Good Luck.

princessdon

35 hours a week so less than 7 a day

speedyturtle

princessdon wrote: »

35 hours a week so less than 7 a day

sorry its a bit late in the night so i might have missed it in the first post that its 7 hours a day:o

princessdon

As much as i don't like this (it's an anolomly for benefits) you can claim Income Support and put your OH on a joint claim as a carer (if they claim relevant benefits that entitle you to that).

nicole2216

benefitbaby wrote: »

Hi,

As you have claimed CA you will be exempt from the labour market conditions (you won't be required to look for work), so you will not have to sign on once the CA is in place.

You need to nofity the benefit delivery centre (BDC) who administer your JSA that you have made a claim for CA so they can remove you from labour market conditions and add a carer premium to your JSA. It is not enought to tell your local Jobcentre as they do not process your benefit claims nor make the decisions.

Hubby should still sign on.

Thanks for that, Im still confused as to the jsa claim. If hubby makes a claim would he not declare me as his dependant and the fact that I receive CA. If so would the benefits agency just pay the same as before but deduct the CA from the JSA benefit?
In which case I wouldnt be claiming JSA so what would happen with the carer premium.

I was advised that as my husband is able to work, I cannot claim Income Support.

I dont like being on benefits but unfortunatly this is how it is. Its hard to get a job when you are caring for an 87 year old with no family who panics everytime I mention finding work. Finding a job when you in your 50's and been out of the job market for near on 17 years is not easy.

Its all sooo confusing. I just want to do the right thing. They dont make it easy do they!
Nicole
xx