Will my claiming carer's allowance affect sister's benefits?

Echo23

Hi, I wonder if anyone can offer advice please. I care for my husband who has physical disabilities and mental health problems. He receives ESA for both of us as a couple and lower rate care and mobility DLA we also receive child tax credits, child benefit and housing benefit. Obviously I cannot claim carer's allowance for him as he is on the lower rate DLA but I also care for my older sister who has learning difficulties. She does not live with us but I go every morning to get her bathed, dressed, give her breakfast and medication etc and I also have her for the full day every Friday and the full weekend every other week. This totals well over 35 hours per week. She is in receipt of income support and DLA at middle rate for both components. My question is, if I try to claim carer's allowance for looking after her will this affect her benefits in any way (if so I would not claim). Also would it affect my husband's benefits? Many Thanks in advance. x

[Deleted User]

if she gets severe disability premium(which seems likely)then if anyone claimed CA for her she would lose that (around £57 a week)

benefitbaby

Potentially yes, if your sister lives alone (or counts as living alone) she will be receiving a severe disability premium of nearly £60 a week in her income support. If you claim CA she will no longer be entitled to this.

CA would also be income for the purposes of your husband's ESA (if he is on income-related ESA) and so his ESA would be reduced by the CA £59.75, however a carer premium of £33.30 would be added to his remaining ESA. So overall the CA + ESA would see you better off in total by £33.30 per week.

bloolagoon

From what you say you don't care 35 hours every week, be careful on this if asked

Echo23

Hmmm I don't know about the severe disability premium. I will have to ask the staff at the supported housing where she lives as they deal with her money right now. By the sounds of it then she would lose money and I don't want that :-/ Bloolagoon I hear what you are saying about the 35 hours every week. Gosh it's a minefield.

benefitbaby

It is a worry that she could lose £59 a week for you to gain £33 so definately wise to check her IS award leter with the support staff.

Echo23

Sister does get the premium so no point in me making a claim. I feel so flipping trapped. Both my husband and my sister rely on me to be at home to care for them so I can't go out to work but yet I can't get any money for caring for them either. It sucks!

jacques_chirac

Echo23 wrote: »

Sister does get the premium so no point in me making a claim. I feel so flipping trapped. Both my husband and my sister rely on me to be at home to care for them so I can't go out to work but yet I can't get any money for caring for them either. It sucks!

That is what families do - care for each other when times are difficult. Do you need to be paid for that?

McKneff

Why do you feel trapped. Try to help your sister to help herself more then.

You could get a job and pay someone to look after them.

nannytone_2

your sister obviously receives DLA. this is to help her pay for her care needs to be met.
there is nothing to stop your sister paying you something

Dunroamin

What do the staff in the supported housing do for her and why does this stop on Fridays and some weekends?