Becoming a carer..

Mulee

Hi, I hope i have posted this in the right place I am sorry if not..

I will be taking advice at the CAB but i can't get there until next weekend so i hoped someone would be able to give me an idea of where i am/what i can do

i live in a 1 bed flat that until recently i shared with my partner, we both worked full time, i still do but he has now left me for someone else and wont pay any rent. i can just about keep up the rent and bills by myself but i have literally a few pounds left after payday. i have also been really upset at my job for a long time and we are now going through a restructure so i could be made redundant at the end of august. i have found another job but they can only offer me 1 or 2 days work which is 7 or 15 hours per week and it is hourly paid and term time only. at the same time, my grandmother (who raised me) has been unwell with alzheimers for many years and has been getting gradually worse. I have been caring for her in my spare time for 6 years. Someone told me I should claim carers allowance for this, but am I allowed? If I did this and worked at the new job, would I be able to get some help with my rent or will I have to move out? Im really confused

oh and if i was made redundant i would not get anything as i have only been there 21 months end of aug.

does anyone have any advice please..

Mojisola

https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/overview
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN-GB/Factsheets/FS55_Carer's_Allowance_fcs.pdf?dtrk=true

Have a read of these.

Your grandmother would have to be claiming Attendance Allowance or DLA (middle or high rate care). You would have to be caring for at least 35 hours every week.

CA is £59.75 a week. You can earn £100 a week (take-home pay) on top of that.

pmlindyloo

In order to claim Carer's Allowance your grandmother must be receiving either Disability Allowance at the middle or higher rate of care (for under 65 years old)or Attendance Allowance(over 65) for you to be able to claim.

Carer's Allowance is £59.75 a week but you are allowed to earn up to £100 a week (after tax and various other expenses) whilst receiving it.

To be eligible for CA you must be providing at least 35 hours of care.

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction is means tested. Depending on your income you may be eligible.

See here for CA.

https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/overview

If your grandmother is not receiving AA or DLA then she can apply for either AA or PIP (Personal Independence Payment which has replaced DLA)

Come back if you want any other information.

Caz3121

Mulee wrote: »

If I did this and worked at the new job, would I be able to get some help with my rent or will I have to move out?

Assuming this is a private rental then any help with rent will be based on the LHA for your area.
If you are under 35 it will be based on the shared accommodation rate
If over it will be the one bedroom rate. This figure is the maximum that is paid (eg if you had no income) and would be reduced based on your income.
eg If you did not have a job, were under 35 and your rent was £500 but the LHA was £50 per week, then the maximum help you could receive towards your rent would be £50 per week

With working you may find that someone in a high LHA area may qualify for some help whereas someone with the same income but a low LHA area may not

Mojisola

If you end up unemployed and are able to claim CA, you will also be able to claim Income Support.

https://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/moneyandlegal/otherbenefits/Pages/IncomeSupport.aspx

benefitbaby

You need to bear in mind that if your grandmother does get the DLA or AA (at middle or higher rate care) and she lives alone and receives Pension Credit (guarantee) then if you claim CA she would lose her severe disability premium of £59 a week.

I think it would be wise to talk to your grandmother about her benefits/pension income and take this with you to the CAB when you go.

rabbit_burrow

Your world must be spinning right now. I remember that sheer feeling of panic when you first find yourself alone (I had to cover the mortgage and feed and clothe 2 kids, I didn't know where to start).

Firstly, have you called your local council? You need to speak to the council tax department, explain that your partner has left and have the bill put in your sole name, ask them to confirm that you'll receive the single person discount, and that they'll send you a new bill. You should get 25% discount.

Visit https://www.entitledto.co.uk where you can put in details based on your current situation, and then try it with your potential situation, this may help to ease your mind.

Hang on in there, you will get through it.