Council Tax Support 500% increase in Council Tax - not so supportive

pipkin71

sunnyone wrote: »

We are not eligable for direct payment, we might be eligable soon when my new wet room is payed for/converted but we havnt even got as far as getting estimates yet but I would like it dont ASAP as my virual wet room is now unsuitable for me.

I qualify as exceptional needs in my area because my husband has had a stroke/kidney failure/heart failure etc. which has left him severely disabled too.

Will you qualify for the disabled facilities grant in order to have the wet room done or will you have to fund it?

Hopefully it won't take too long.

princessdon

mysterywoman10 wrote: »

I totally agree that the private rented sector needs to be far more strictly regulated and more security given to tenants. This would probably save a lot more money to the state as well in terms of HB.

I am not talking about people in either sector who could easily move.

100,000 affected homes have been adapted and paid for, so unless the person who it was adapated for is no longer there or there is a need I would agree yes they could move. But if they happen to have a room lift going into a box room it's hardly their fault is it? So why should they take a cut in benefits and clearly they can't move or if they did another property would have to be adapted. The box room with a lift in it is no longer a bedroom anyway.

If the legislation had made allowances for these situations and the above is just one example, then in principle I would not object to it.

I hope that clarifies my stance.

Do you have a link to the 100,000 adapted homes and the criteria? It's not a figure I have seen before, and being honest I have always assumed it was lower than that. It makes no sense to force moves from adapted properties.

mumps

mysterywoman10 wrote: »

By targeting those most in need.

The link actually mainly refers to unpaid carers and yes working full time and caring is very hard. Atlhough you can receive carer's allowance and earn up to £100 a week as I'm sure you are aware.

I don't think I would be doing a fulltime job for £100 a week, there is a NMW you know.

The point being if someone does it long term and ends up making themselves unable to care through working 70 hours a week in two jobs then it will cost more money if they are no longer able to care for their loved one?

Why would it cost more, if I get to the point where I can't work and care for my husband I would then get the carers allowance, I wouldn't get any extra because I had done both for years.

Another way of looking at it is, if all carers were paid NMW for caring a minimum 35 hours a week for their loved one. Wouldn't this free up many jobs for others? Rather than struggling to do two full time jobs?

My boss says he just can't replace me.

mysterywoman10 wrote: »

I would go further actually if you knew anything about disability you will know that carers of this country save it a fortune!!

I never understand this, the country is giving my husband DLA, if I give up work it will give me carers allowance for doing something I see as my role anyway. Surely I am the person who should be caring for him.

!

I am not sure what you are getting at really, are you saying carers should get more or not? Or is it only carers who don't work who should get more?

mumps

princessdon wrote: »

Do you have a link to the 100,000 adapted homes and the criteria? It's not a figure I have seen before, and being honest I have always assumed it was lower than that. It makes no sense to force moves from adapted properties.

I have wondered what is actually classified as adapted, is it something big like a lift or wet room or would a couple of grab rails count?

princessdon

mumps wrote: »

I have wondered what is actually classified as adapted, is it something big like a lift or wet room or would a couple of grab rails count?

Me too hence asking for a source.

pipkin71

mumps wrote: »

I have wondered what is actually classified as adapted, is it something big like a lift or wet room or would a couple of grab rails count?

I would say stairlifts, lift, ramp, widened doors, wheelchair accesible work surfaces, wetroom, that type of thing, rather than things which are easy to remove and replace, such as grab rails

mysterywoman10

I would agree with Pipkin's definition of what a major adaption is.

Here is the link as requested. You will see that it also states the number on DLA.

http://www.housing.org.uk/media/news/disabled_people_bedroom_tax.aspx

mysterywoman10

I am not sure what you are getting at really, are you saying carers should get more or not? Or is it only carers who don't work who should get more?

What I was saying is I would feel the same if I was looking after my husband or in my case it was my child. But if you have to give up your job to care for him/them then you will need some income to live on as you say carers allowance?

I was making the point that if care needs become too great and people try and do two jobs this can result in them suffering ill health themselves and then being unable to care. Another common problem is also bad backs with carers. So the link was more about general support as well as money. For example if someone needs two person care even if the one person is a relative another carer could still be required at certain times of the day.

However much we want to care for our loved ones if they need 24/7 care or full time care all day we can't live on fresh air with just DLA and Carers Allowance. I would rather see a system of DLA and relatives Caring getting a better wage and not then having means tested benefits in addtion if that makes sense?

mumps

mysterywoman10 wrote: »

I would agree with Pipkin's definition of what a major adaption is.

Here is the link as requested. You will see that it also states the number on DLA.

http://www.housing.org.uk/media/news/disabled_people_bedroom_tax.aspx

I can't see anything about what they mean by adapted, (might just be me) they don't say major adaption as far as I can see so could it be like my mother who had a visit from OT and got a grab rail in bathroom, loo and at front door. It did have adaptations to suit her but not a significant cost.

mumps

mysterywoman10 wrote: »

What I was saying is I would feel the same if I was looking after my husband or in my case it was my child. But if you have to give up your job to care for him/them then you will need some income to live on as you say carers allowance?

I was making the point that if care needs become too great and people try and do two jobs this can result in them suffering ill health themselves and then being unable to care. Another common problem is also bad backs with carers. So the link was more about general support as well as money. For example if someone needs two person care even if the one person is a relative another carer could still be required at certain times of the day.

However much we want to care for our loved ones if they need 24/7 care or full time care all day we can't live on fresh air with just DLA and Carers Allowance. I would rather see a system of DLA and relatives Caring getting a better wage and not then having means tested benefits in addtion if that makes sense?

So only financial support if you don't work or work very limited hours. I feel like the care I do is not valued just because I do another job. I don't manage to work fulltime, I work 24 hours a week and have been my husbands carer for over 20 years. I want to retire (60 this year) and have five more years to go, don't think I can do it so may retire in a year or two and claim carers allowance until I get my SRP.