DLA - my Carer has left! what to do about the carers allowance

melsy27

Hi all,

My husband is my carer at high rate carers allowance, we have recently be awarded this. However, he has decided to leave me now and now I don't know what to do about the carers allowance or how to get a new carer. I also have a special needs child and two teenagers. Can anyone help ,, many thanks

Mojisola

You don't need to do anything about the CA. It's up to your husband to tell them that he is no longer your carer.

This would be a good time to get an assessment done by Social Services - for yourself and your SN child.

fluffymovie

I would urge you to contact the Disability and Carers Service although Mojisola has advised you not to.

If you claim certain benefits, you would lose premiums because someone gets CA for you (Severe DIsability Premium) and so I would always contact people.

You should also ensure that you inform the Council as you may be entitled to a 25% reduction on your Council Tax Bill now (Single Person Discount)

You may also be entitled to other benefits at a different rate as a single person so contact Tax Credits and DWP if you are working, or in low paid employment as they may be able to support you.

This is likely to be a very difficult time for you and I do wish you the very best

Mojisola

fluffymovie wrote: »

I would urge you to contact the Disability and Carers Service although Mojisola has advised you not to.

If you claim certain benefits, you would lose premiums because someone gets CA for you (Severe DIsability Premium) and so I would always contact people.

You should also ensure that you inform the Council as you may be entitled to a 25% reduction on your Council Tax Bill now (Single Person Discount)

You may also be entitled to other benefits at a different rate as a single person so contact Tax Credits and DWP if you are working, or in low paid employment as they may be able to support you.

They won't be able to do anything because the claim is in her husband's name. It would be worth asking about SDP but I don't think anything will be changed until her husband withdraws his claim.

Poppie68

Exactly what fluffymovie says..good advice

stiltwalker

melsy27 wrote: »

Hi all,

My husband is my carer at high rate carers allowance, we have recently be awarded this. However, he has decided to leave me now and now I don't know what to do about the carers allowance or how to get a new carer. I also have a special needs child and two teenagers. Can anyone help ,, many thanks

This stood out to me - carers allowance is at a paid at a single rate of £58.45 per week - is that what you mean and in that case, yes it would be in your husbands name or do you mean that you get DLA high rate care in your own name? If so this is your income do not tell them you want to give it up! You can choose how to use this money whether to pay someone to care or services that make your life easier (ie ironing, whatever).

I would second Mojisola about getting in touch with SS about help for both you and your child.

Good luck - hang in there.

melsy27

Hi Guys,

Sorry I am confussed by all the reponses, many thanks, much appreciated. To clarify - I am awarded low rate mobility and put my husband down as my carer and this was awarded high rate - the moneys go direct into my sole bank and my husband has moved out. I know I dont have to have a live in carer - so I dont know what to do - do I say nothing and leave it - and pay for a cleaner and ironist as this is what help i would need? or do I wait for my husband to notify them or what? he will need to claim benefits himself now too...so I am totally confussed :eek:

Mojisola

melsy27 wrote: »

Sorry I am confussed by all the reponses, many thanks, much appreciated. To clarify - I am awarded low rate mobility and put my husband down as my carer and this was awarded high rate - the moneys go direct into my sole bank and my husband has moved out. I know I dont have to have a live in carer - so I dont know what to do - do I say nothing and leave it - and pay for a cleaner and ironist as this is what help i would need? or do I wait for my husband to notify them or what? he will need to claim benefits himself now too...so I am totally confussed :eek:

This is confusing - in order for someone to get CA, the person they are caring for has to be getting DLA care at the middle or high rate.

bloolagoon

Mojisola wrote: »

This is confusing - in order for someone to get CA, the person they are caring for has to be getting DLA care at the middle or high rate.

I assumed HRC LRM awarded, therefore enabling her husband to claim carers for herself.

Icequeen99

melsy27 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Sorry I am confussed by all the reponses, many thanks, much appreciated. To clarify - I am awarded low rate mobility and put my husband down as my carer and this was awarded high rate - the moneys go direct into my sole bank and my husband has moved out. I know I dont have to have a live in carer - so I dont know what to do - do I say nothing and leave it - and pay for a cleaner and ironist as this is what help i would need? or do I wait for my husband to notify them or what? he will need to claim benefits himself now too...so I am totally confussed :eek:

I think what is causing confusion is the benefit you are actually receiving.

There are two benefits - Disability Living Allowance (which there are two parts mobility and care and you get either low, middle or higher rate) and Carer's Allowance.

You would claim the DLA yourself, and your husband would claim the Carer's Allowance.

I think we are confused as to whether you are saying you get a higher rate of DLA because you said your husband was your carer or whether your husband is claiming Carers Allowance.

IQ

nannytone_2

Mojisola wrote: »

You don't need to do anything about the CA. It's up to your husband to tell them that he is no longer your carer.

This would be a good time to get an assessment done by Social Services - for yourself and your SN child.

not really!
while the hisband is claiming carers allowance without doing any caring he is

claiming fraudulently
denying the OP a chanve to get someone else to fulfil that role
stopping the OP from claiming the SDP if no other adult lives with her ( if she hasnt got another carer lined up)