Carers Allowance Rant

mazza111

Andy's off? Since when? :eek:

PD don't get me wrong hon, I wasn't having a go, I think you deserve a medal for taking on someone else's child. Well done to you (I don't think that's the first time I said that). Could I do it? I really don't know. Think it would have depended on what child it was, sorry but my honesty is coming out, I couldn't care for a child with special needs. That's just me. Physical disabilities, yes fine, other than that I would be useless!

mikey_bach

krisskross wrote: »

Only if eligible for pension credit. Neither Sandra Scarlett or myself are entitled to pension credit so no premiums for us although we both have very disabled husbands to care for.

Not a problem for me.......he has looked after me and our children to the best of his ability for many decades. I don't need to be paid to care for him now he needs it.

The premiums can be got on I.S as well as Pension Credits..
I don't know why though they have to claim the U/E to Carers when they would naturally care for each other on a daily basis anyway....

shegar

mazza111 wrote: »

Andy's off? Since when? :eek:

PD don't get me wrong hon, I wasn't having a go, I think you deserve a medal for taking on someone else's child. Well done to you (I don't think that's the first time I said that). Could I do it? I really don't know. Think it would have depended on what child it was, sorry but my honesty is coming out, I couldn't care for a child with special needs. That's just me. Physical disabilities, yes fine, other than that I would be useless!

I know what you mean, I never once ever thought about going into care work in my younger years, probaly thats the last profession id have chosen....When I think about having to help people with their toilet needs etc , its just not me...................

I think all carers and nusing staff in care homes are brilliant at what they do , I do it cos its my hubby, but I wouldnt say I enjoy the work, but you never know what will happen to your husband / wife and and what role you may do in the future , so you just have to get on with it, or put them in a home which is a very hard decision to make.......

I definately wouldnt and couldnt do this caring job for anyone else , relative or otherwise.............................Triple the pay and I still wouldnt do it.........

SandraScarlett

mikey_bach wrote: »

;;
You should get the Carers Premium worth chasing if you don't.


I agree CA should be £71 per week.......
.

mikey_bach wrote: »

The premiums can be got on I.S as well as Pension Credits..
I don't know why though they have to claim the U/E to Carers when they would naturally care for each other on a daily basis anyway....

As krisskross said, we're not entitled to SRP and Carers, unless I think if you're on Pension Credit. But I never claimed it in the first place.

I received CA before I was 60, I didn't after, but was automatically put onto Underlying Carers Entitlement, which is zero. But I agree with so many of the posters who have said that they would care for a spouse, or a child or grandchild, but a BIL is another matter.

Personally, I often think "there but for the grace of God, go I", when I read of the struggles that some posters face. And although it's easy to say that some of the caring is what a parent would do anyway, the allowance is available, just like so many other benefits are available.

And the poor lady who has to look after 2 children with difficulties must consider that anyone who only has one child or adult to look after, has it easy, getting the same CA as she does. God only knows how she copes with each day.

I take my hat off to her, and to anyone who is a carer, especially if they're not a close relative. Not for a zillion pounds could I ever have worked in my late Mum's care home, where so many residents were doubly incontinent, and the staff who worked there certainly didn't earn a fortune.

And even if the OP is living rent free, she's still doing a great and altruistic job, looking after her BIL, whilst her husband's at work.

xx

sunnyone

FBaby wrote: »

Fine, carers allowance but I thought most claimed for someone on their basis of entitlement to DLA middle rate care? Still nothing to do with maintenance from exes.

You can only get carers allowance if the person you care for is entited to middle or high rate DLA care or either rate of attendance allowance (apart from a rarely used condition that I dont want to publicise)

mazza111

shegar wrote: »

I know what you mean, I never once ever thought about going into care work in my younger years, probaly thats the last profession id have chosen....When I think about having to help people with their toilet needs etc , its just not me...................

I think all carers and nusing staff in care homes are brilliant at what they do , I do it cos its my hubby, but I wouldnt say I enjoy the work, but you never know what will happen to your husband / wife and and what role you may do in the future , so you just have to get on with it, or put them in a home which is a very hard decision to make.......

I definately wouldnt and couldnt do this caring job for anyone else , relative or otherwise.............................Triple the pay and I still wouldnt do it.........

Don't get me wrong. I have a physically disabled daughter and if she needed it doing I'd do it, without batting an eyelid.

When my old mum was having problems I could do it without batting an eyelid.

For an in law... I'd probably be totally different. Probably cos I can only relate to my x in laws who I didn't like very much. Maybe that's why I think it's great the OP is helping her BIL.

I did work in sheltered housing for a while as a SHO/Support worker. But we didn't provide personal care. There was on occasion where you had to clean up because of little accidents and I didn't mind that (unless it was puke). But I don't think I'd like to give up a well paid job to look after the in laws, but is that cos I don't really have in laws or because I didn't like my x in laws. I dunno, I still think it's admirable what the op is doing.

I take my hat off to anyone who's caring for relatives. I do what I can for my dd, but often think it's never going to be enough, but it's all I can manage given my own deteriorating health.

princessdon

mazza111 wrote: »

Andy's off? Since when? :eek:

PD don't get me wrong hon, I wasn't having a go, I think you deserve a medal for taking on someone else's child. Well done to you (I don't think that's the first time I said that). Could I do it? I really don't know. Think it would have depended on what child it was, sorry but my honesty is coming out, I couldn't care for a child with special needs. That's just me. Physical disabilities, yes fine, other than that I would be useless!

Actually they don't have SN. Assumed at first due to statements, DLA and carers. They are fine. First week or so was hard whilst a routine was established, but as weeks/months go on they are just here.

There "toileting needs" don't exist, dry day and night within 22 days and since. Their "meal time" issues have gone, their educational needs have gone (caught up and on par and due to exceed expectations by end of term).

It was all parenting. It helps being deaf as I can remove my hearing aids when screaming occurs (joke) but it didn't take long. First month or so was horiffic. Soiling floor and bed, screams, head banging, knocking my walls out, destroying property etc but it has settled down. she is a normal child with no more needs than either of mine. I cancelled DLA after 17 days as it was obvious parenting not needs were an issue.

Yes she needs some TLC to catch up but that is the joy of large families. My older children teach her phonics, help her to read, teach her to cook, clean, bake, dress.

3 children at a table doing homework or 4 makes no difference at all. I expect ALL my children to do at least 2 hours a night so by her following their routine she caught up in no time. She hasn't had a support worker at school for months and doesn't need one. She went from being in special classes to 2nd top table (top expected next half term). Can dress herself, can walk just fine without a pram, can communicate perfectly well.

If the first 3 weeks had went on for ever I'd need a platinum medal not a gold medal! but they eased.

She made my tea this evening, ran my bath, tidied her room and cleaned the rabbits without any asking. So she really isn't a bother at all (now - at first is a whole other issue).

She's due to return to her mother soon - who isn't happy at me cancelling DLA and as such her IS and CA, but I will miss her. Yes she was a stranger, Yes I saved SS thousands but I hope she will always remember her time here, she grew a lot and learnt a lot of lessons (mainly throwing a wobbler means nought and temper tantrums don't work). She has also learnt to speak Spanish (2nd language in our home), play piano to a very good level, volunteer at an animal sanctuary and value of working for money or treats.

Will it continue - I'd say no, but that isn't my choice after all as I'd have her here till adult hood if possible.

nannytone_2

thinking of what she's going back to, i'd be seriously tempted to see if there is any way to get guardianship of this kid.

my sons driend lived next door to a woman that used her son to gain benefits. despite a;; tests, nothing was ever found to be wrong with the boy. and when the mother wasnt around, the boy appeared fine, mayne not as bright as others, but still 'normal'

to be fair, the mother had psychiatric problems, but she was pushing these onto the boy, who by the time he was 12 was saying that he was 'disabled'

princessdon

I have guardianship in full. The mother is now split from my brother (main cause) and appears to be doing well.

I hope to stay in contact and observe from the side lines, but she deserves to be with her mother as it's best for all. All I can hope for is weekend contact and to be around in case it deterioates. Mum is now clean from drugs/alcohol and DV so she deserves a second chance.

Mum has said I can have every other weekend so between me and Social Services (she will remain on CPR for a while) it can be monitored.

Child does have ASD but very very mild. Not enough to make a fuss over.

mazza111

It's great you could do that for her PD. Really is, and shows with the right kind of parenting all can go well.

I actually couldn't remember if the child you took in had SN or not. I'm not very good with children in all honesty, and guess that's why I couldn't do it. I probably could with a "normal" child, whatever that is, but still wouldn't want to do it.

Guess I'm one of those weirdos who can deal better with SN adults than children. Think it's cos I'd be too emotionally involved.