Carers allowance, I work, am I entitled?

FBaby

lovetowinacar wrote: »

I agree, I know carers that cannot possibly work since they care for people 24 hours a day 7 days a week - people with profound or severe disabilities. These carers need much more help. When a person is able to go out to work in a full time job without a carer then the question has to be how much care need does this person really actually need....why if none needed whilst working does this person suddenly need someone to care for them once they have left work and gone home? It appears that some individuals look at the benefits available and feel a sense of entitlement and try to fit their 'caring' or circumstances to find ways that they might qualify - I do the shopping for him/her, I keep them company (whilst being boyfriend or girlfriend) really are these true care needs - since they could easily survive without these 'care needs' and can actually work all alone and without the carer with them to do x y or z all day long so capable really. Some disabled people really do need their carers to do everything for them...wash them, dress them, give medications or therapy etc etc etc

Totally agree. In the meantime, you have 24/7 carers who desperately need some respite who can't get any help. Another totally unjustified distribution of benefits.

mazza111

I'm in 2 minds on this thread. Having been on benefits and from a carer's point of view.

So I'm going to go back to basics.

If your bf isn't receiving the Care Element of DLA, then you wouldn't qualify for starters.
If he was, can you honestly say that you spend 35 hours a week caring for him as a constant? I know when he has his ops it may be more than that. But for CA it should be 35 hours every week, not 70 one week and 2 the next week.

TBH having a go at others on benefits, yes I know you've amended it to say about those screwing the system, puts a wee man on people's backs and they do get defensive about it.

I too have been in the position of working and caring for my mother for many years. Never would my mother have expected me to be out of pocket by buying her dressings or medications. Anything my mother asked me to get her was reimbursed immediately. The only thing I may have been out of pocket on was petrol, yes my mother gave me the odd £10/20 for petrol, but she has no idea how much petrol costs. Now I've been medically retired myself, I've had to pull back a bit from my mothers care, more so since my daughter became disabled. Thankfully my daughter is slowly progressing too, so that she needs less help. And I hope and pray that she continues to do so, I honestly thought everything was gonna kill me for a while In the end, I've put my own health at risk trying to do for others, and I'm now in need of help myself. So sometimes that step backwards and outside help coming in is really needed. I've got more family involved instead of me taking the complete burden, and also outside agencies as the time was right (for mum)

Would I have spent 35 hours a week? Probably most weeks yes. Could I have claimed CA? No, cos I was either working, or claiming an out of work benefit to do with my own health.

I'm glad that disabled people who are able to work, can also work and claim DLA/PIP. But I do have to ask the question, if they are able to work full time with their disabilities, do they need full time care? Someone will probably shoot me down for asking that, but it's just something that does make me wonder.

I think we all know of someone who's swinging the lead, my lovely neighbours are for sure.... but please don't think everyone on benefits is, nor to use the word scroungers, for those of us who do rely on the benefits system after having worked for many years, it's a badge we don't want to wear

marliepanda

If it is the same boyfriend his condition must have drastically declined as she had enough time when booking this holiday to work full time and do wedding photography in her free time, impossible with his 'care needs'

BigAunty

I've done a few long distance walks (West Highland Way, Speyside Way, Nijmegen march, South Downs Way).

By far the best product I ever found for blisters is Spenco 2nd Skin which is a clear gel sealed in with membrane, very cooling.

Expensive, though but very, very worth it. Moleskin patches and plasters just don't work.

Mojisola

It makes me wonder what answers were put on the DLA form to get high rate mobility.

Gigglepig

mazza111 wrote: »

But I do have to ask the question, if they are able to work full time with their disabilities, do they need full time care? Someone will probably shoot me down for asking that, but it's just something that does make me wonder.

There are so many different disabilities, and jobs can be adapted to different levels. if one's body does not function, and one is completely dependent on care for basic needs, advances in IT and telecoms might still make it possible to have full time 'thinking' job.

Gigglepig

I have never said anyone was lazy or that working was possible for everyone, or that all full time carers are only needed 35 hrs a week. My point was simply that two people who both cared for 35 hrs a week could make different choices regarding how they wished to spend their spare time. Just like if they had another job. For some jobs, 35 hours a week is considered "full time" while others who work "full time" work 60 plus hrs a week. I don't think anyone is lazy for working 35 hrs a week in an office either, but admire people who have the grit and stamina to hold down office jobs that require them to work much, much more than that. Now many full time carers do of course work a lot more than 35 hrs a week and have no spare time to speak of, I admire them too for keeping it up.

mazza111

Gigglepig wrote: »

There are so many different disabilities, and jobs can be adapted to different levels. if one's body does not function, and one is completely dependent on care for basic needs, advances in IT and telecoms might still make it possible to have full time 'thinking' job.

As I said, it's just my thinking. I'm sure Stephen Hawkins has care needs too Unfortunately we don't all have a brain like him. I wasn't having a go at anyone by saying that btw, i have nothing but admiration for people with disabilities who manage to work

shegirl

I_Love_Shoes wrote: »

I earn more than £100 a week, is there no way I will be entitled to get anything?
Just another way the government screws over those of us who want to work and not be scroungers! If I worked part time or was on benefits I would be entitled to this, yet I go out and work all day and then I have the added work of looking after my boyfriend and get no financial help even though I have less free time to myself because of this. I love him to bits but it is stressful sometimes and this would really help us!

Would you?Do you actually spend a minimum of 35 hours a week CARING for him?Spending time with him as your boyfriend doesn't count,neither does 'I spend full weekends with him,over 60 hours' unless that time is spent caring

shegirl

I_Love_Shoes wrote: »

We don't live together, but stay around each others houses a few times a week. Now that he has his house we are looking at me maybe moving in, but I would obviously have to pay rent and I cant afford to at the moment. I am spending a lot more in fuel to take him places (when he is feeling too tired to drive or his feet are hurting too much) which is another reason I am looking into the carers allowance as my potential rent money is being spent on fuel etc for him. He cant afford to let me live there rent free either.

He has a mobility car for a reason.Use it!