Carers Allowance Rant

spaulding82

I initially made a post ranting about carers allowance being too low for what I do.
But unfortunately some people decided to post about how I shouldn't be expected to get paid for carers allowance since its my husbands brother Im caring for, and how I should be expected to do it for free. And also other comments that were rude. So I've decided to delete my initial post as people are just being plain rude.

Dunroamin

You don't have to care 24/7 to claim CA and you can earn up to £100 pw without affecting it. If this was your only income you'd be able to claim IS/HB/LHA/CTB as well.

princessdon

spaulding82 wrote: »

After FIL passed away, my husband and I decided we would take care of his brother who is disabled (hes 26) and needs 24/7 care because we didn't want him going into a care home & wanted him to stay with family. So, I gave up work to be my BIL full time carer. I am disgusted at the rate for carers allowance. £58 a week for 24/7 care?? that equals to 34p an hour! How is it someone on the dole can get almost £70 week,get free dental,free eyeglasses and etc. When carers who are actually working, live on such a low amount and on top of that, not even get free dental?
By us deciding to keep BIL with us and not in a carehome, we are saving the government thousands of pounds,if not more. And in return I have to live on just £58 week? Its disgusting. if people on the dole get £70 because thats what the government says thats what people live on, on average, then why isn't carers allowance increased? carers allowance is the lowest benefit, and we are the ones who are actually working.

/rant over

Whilst I agree with the sentiment - you are entitled to many other benefits IF household income is low.

I take it your husband works and earns more than £111 pw. If so then on JSA you'd get £71 (IF YOU HAD CONTS), for 6 mos then nothing. If no conts you'd get nothing.

In short it's household income not yours as an individual.

FBaby

Why is that the only alternative always put forward is that the government would otherwise have to pay full care. How about the alternative being what it used to be, that family cared for their own members and expect nothing for doing it?

Did your FIL make financial provision for the care of your BIL? Did he have property that could be sold and go towards the care of your BIL?

lovetowinacar

I totally agree with you - carers save the government millions across the country and only get a very small amount of carers allowance - this is something that needs addressing

Not everyone on DLA requires care from someone else although they claim care rate DLA or AA - I know of some on DLA and AA who have the highest rate but don't actually have anyone caring for them - they do it themselves or have some help sometimes.

The system needs changing so that profoundly disabled people who need 24/7 care get more as do their carers and people with more mild disabilities who don't actually need someone caring for them receive less. (My opinion of course some would say differently) the current low middle and high cover everything from very mild difficulties to major profound and multiple disabilities

princessdon

lovetowinacar wrote: »

I totally agree with you - carers save the government millions across the country and only get a very small amount of carers allowance - this is something that needs addressing

Not everyone on DLA requires care from someone else although they claim care rate DLA or AA - I know of some on DLA and AA who have the highest rate but don't actually have anyone caring for them - they do it themselves or have some help sometimes.

The system needs changing so that profoundly disabled people who need 24/7 care get more as do their carers and people with more mild disabilities who don't actually need someone caring for them receive less. (My opinion of course some would say differently) the current low middle and high cover everything from very mild difficulties to major profound and multiple disabilities

That's something most support, however, when suggested it seems that people disagree. It's what PIP is doing in part when it replaces DLA as it pays more to those who need greater care. It isn't being well received.

McKneff

Im maybe playing devils advocate here but if my husband was disabled I really wouldnt expect the government to pay me to look after him.
I dont understand why they do.

And I am talking about spouses looking after each other not someone caring for extended family.


I would look after him because I love him and have spent the last 45 years of my life with him.

plum2002

McKneff wrote: »

Im maybe playing devils advocate here but if my husband was disabled I really wouldnt expect the government to pay me to look after him.
I dont understand why they do.

And I am talking about spouses looking after each other not someone caring for extended family.


I would look after him because I love him and have spent the last 45 years of my life with him.

Agreed, but when it's not your child, husband, sibling or parent then it's a different story. That said, did the Father in law not provide for his sons care?

Own_My_Own

I assume your BIL now lives in your home and the house income has gone up by his DLA as well.

Dunroamin

FBaby wrote: »

Why is that the only alternative always put forward is that the government would otherwise have to pay full care. How about the alternative being what it used to be, that family cared for their own members and expect nothing for doing it?

Did your FIL make financial provision for the care of your BIL? Did he have property that could be sold and go towards the care of your BIL?

It would appear so.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/59304119#Comment_59304119

shegar

McKneff wrote: »

Im maybe playing devils advocate here but if my husband was disabled I really wouldnt expect the government to pay me to look after him.
I dont understand why they do.

And I am talking about spouses looking after each other not someone caring for extended family.


I would look after him because I love him and have spent the last 45 years of my life with him.

Well if you had to give up a well paid job to just get £58 per wk, you may think differently..........

I too love my husband , but you also need money to keep going.......I roughly care for my hubby 14 hrs per day 7 days per week, im "on duty " though 24/7.........

Doing all the nursing care, feeding, extra clothes washing, etc etc , that revolves around looking after a wheelchair bound person.........

Do I feel guilty about receiving £58 per week, ? like hell I do...........