Carers allowance probelm

Blackpool_Saver

most people who are genuinely carers and the cared for lives with them are doing the job FULL TIME day and night, not a set amount of hours believe you me

Mojisola

Stevengiles86 wrote: »

I left my job and have applied for CA because I am now the main carer for my mother.

You need to claim the CA otherwise you will be left without an income. Claim CA and IS.

Good for you for caring for your mother.

mysterywoman10

I agree and you will be getting your NI credits which is important for the future, not so important for your Grandmother because she is already getting her pension.

SnowMan

Mojisola wrote: »

You need to claim the CA otherwise you will be left without an income. Claim CA and IS.

Yes that is the key point. Obviously claiming Income Support assumes that Stevengiles86 has less than 16K in savings.

I wonder if Council Tax Benefit is a possibility also.

Mikey bach also makes a good point that the OP's mother might be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance as she must be of 'working age'.

Stevengiles86

Thanks all for that, yea thats the thing... I worked before but part of my reason for leaving my job was to help with all this care work.

My grandmother is indeed 73 so if I was to go on JSA, get a job again and leave her to it, its going to be too much for her to do on her own. I want my grandmother to live for as many years as she can, so with my mother I want to do all the heavy lifting role's and still give her time to try and enjoy her retirement. Also with my mother, id rather not be working so I can do as much as I can for her so I can make sure she stays living at home comfortably for as long as possible.

Your too right there Blackpool_Saver, some days can also be harder than others where the person needs a bit more care to get through the day

Thanks too mysterywoman10, Mojisola and Snowman. Thats actually a good point about IS with it (I did think of it but until the person who will have entitlement to CA is decided, its been in limbo). I have well under 16k in savings so that could be no problem. I spent all money I had to my name helping with bills every month so am well under that threshhold

mazza111

Hiya Steven.

Not just on the CA but on another few things.

ESA - Does your mother not get this? If she's of working age and unable to work because of ill health then she should be claiming it.

CTB or whatever it's called these days..She should be getting this on PC. But may have non dependent deductions. However, if the main bill was in ur mother's name (as being in receipt of DLA care component) as opposed to the grandmother's, then no non deductions would be made. You don't say who's name it's in, so I'm presuming the grandmother's?

Turn to us may be able to work it out which way is better off for you. Put a few different scenarios in there and work it out. Hope you get it all sorted out

M

Stevengiles86

Hey mazza,

I didnt know she can get ESA and DLA? I know shes on the middle rate DLA and I think it may have some mobility component.

CT is in my grandmothers name. Im not too sure about her getting it in PC (doesnt show how its worked out on her paperwork). The only thing shes said to me about it is she doesnt get any money off because 3 people live here including herself, if it was just 2 people then she would (Not sure if thats right or if shes got it confused)

I will get in touch with them...

Just wish this whole thing was easy. It seems the whole system is flawed...

SnowMan

Stevengiles86 wrote: »

Hey mazza,

I didnt know she can get ESA and DLA? I know shes on the middle rate DLA and I think it may have some mobility component.

CT is in my grandmothers name. Im not too sure about her getting it in PC (doesnt show how its worked out on her paperwork). The only thing shes said to me about it is she doesnt get any money off because 3 people live here including herself, if it was just 2 people then she would (Not sure if thats right or if shes got it confused)

I will get in touch with them...

Just wish this whole thing was easy. It seems the whole system is flawed...

The council tax is in your grandmother's name (presumably as she owns the house) and she is in receipt of guaranteed pension credit. As a result she should get her council tax paid in full through council tax benefit (CTB), unless there are non-dependants in the household where a deduction is made.

However your mother won't be treated as a non-dependant if she is in receipt of a care component of DLA and I think you are saying your mother is getting the middle rate care component.

You won't count as a non-dependant if you claim Income Support (IS).

So I think there are no non-dependants in the household (at least once you claim IS).

And so the end result should be (once you claim IS) that your grandmother gets all her council tax paid through CTB. CTB is separate to pension credit and is deducted from the council tax bill.

CTB is changing to a local scheme run by each council called Council Tax Reduction from 1st April. I think this won't affect your grandmother as she is a pensioner see here.

Contact your local council about CTB.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) are different benefits for different purposes and can both be claimed when someone is eligible for both.

DLA is to cover your mother's mobility and care needs see here. It sounds like your mother might be getting a mobility and care component.

ESA is to provide those of working age like your mother with a replacement income because she is unable to work due to sickness or disability see here. I can't see any reason she should not be claiming.

I'm afraid it is a ridiculously complex system but you just have to persevere to make sure you and your family are claiming all your entitlements. Seek advice if need be.

Good luck.

mazza111

Not sure on the non dependent bit. It gets confoozling at times.

But this part should apply to you if/when you're claiming the right benefits:

the non-dependant is receiving Pension Credit,Income Support or income-based JSA or income-related Employment & Support Allowance

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/rr2-a-guide-to-housing-benefit/what-you-can-claim-for/non-dependants/


Get your mother to make a claim for ESA, as Snowman said it's because you can't work, whereas DLA is for your mother's care and mobility needs.

In all honesty, it sounds like you could be doing with sitting down face to face or even on the phone to talk to someone with regards to this. The benefit enquiry line should be able to help you with this. 0800 882 200

McKneff

My apologies, I misunderstood and thought you meant 35 hours between you.

We all make mistakes. mea culpa, and people have been judgemental of me too on here.

OP I wish all of you well.

And just to point out to whoever said I accused the OP of fraud. I did not.I said it would be classed as fraud, No accusation there.

He cant be accused of fraud of something he has not done yet.
Now I shall bow out of this

Good luck OP and like someone else said on here, good on you for looking after your mam.