carers allowance enquiry

Euphoria1z

Hi

My wife is going to be looking after an elderly relative who will now be living with us. the relative is 75 yrs old, and is getting a pension. she is able to walk on her own and able to do most chores very slowly but is very fragile and on medication.

just wondering what carers allowance is and whether my wife can apply for it? and who do we apply through? we get housing benefit (or rather housing allowance as we rent privately and im on low income) will this effect the housing allowance/council tax in any way? any thing else that we can apply for that may help us?

Thanks

Horseunderwater

The elderly relative has to be in receipt of either Attendance allowance or disability living allowance mid / high rate care.
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/eligibility - the link will tell you more.

Euphoria1z

it says on the above link that you must be aged between 16-64 to get PIP (personal independence payment) or disability living allowance, ? our relative is 75? does that mean she cant apply then?

Tehya

If the cared for person is not already in receipt of DLA at retirement age they will need to claim Attendance Allowance (this is the benefit for OAPs) instead. If it's awarded then you can put a claim in for Carer's Allowance.

Pollycat

Link to Attendance Allowance here:
https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance

I'm not sure about the impact on your other benefits - best to check with the council if you just get CTB/HB.