What now...

LeazesNDR

Mother died of form of leukaemia last November, I was her home carer for the last 15 years or so and I am 60 this year. Just finished receiving last 8 weeks of carers allowance. (Have been left more than 16k.)

Was told to apply for JSA on 10th January and received letter this morning saying I dont qualify for Contributions based JSA because " I haven't been working". (I would like to know what caring for someone with myelodysplacea, neutropenic sepsis, diverticulitis, arthritis and other various ailments is, if it isn't work).

OK, I've got enough money to get by for a while, but I feel totally abandoned, useless and totally isolated now. My mother was my only family and there's not much point in me being here anymore now that I am no longer her carer, well, thats how I feel at the moment.
Just recently found out that I could have claimed for a car to run my mother around in, a bit late for that now, isn't it.

Dont even know why I'm writing this to be honest. I suppose I'm more than a little bit angry and peed off to be told " you haven't been working", and that the governments attitude is"your mams dead, she's left you some money, we've got another mug off the unemployment register, now b*gg*r off".

No wonder the government are getting the unemployed stats down when they are just kicking people into touch.

Sorry to have bored you all with such a miserable first post on here, I'll try to be more upbeat from now on if I ever post again....

FBaby

No offense, I can understand your feeling that you dedicated yourself to care for your mum for many years, and appreciate your feeling of loss, but do you really think that it should be right that you can continue to claim benefits when you have so much money in the bank, a lot more than many tax payers?

bloolagoon

You can still search for work and sign on for credits, you just don't get the £71.70 a week as you have income.

Have you considered voluntary work to see if this helps your low mood?

Is there an area you'd like to volunteer in?

Do you think you could provide care for people in their homes as an employment?

HB58

I'm sorry for your loss. Apart from the grief, having cared for her for so long you must now wonder what on earth to do with your day!

It would have been more accurate if you had been told that you don't qualify for Contributory JSA because you did not make any NI contributions in the relevant 2 tax years. While getting Carers' Allowance, I believe that you would be credited towards your pension, but those do not count towards contributory benefits.

As you say, if your mother's problems started before she was 60, she might have been entitled to some DLA which would have helped towards the cost of a car, but that is water under the bridge now.

I hope that you are able to use the money you have inherited to make your life a bit easier for the future.

jacques_chirac

Have you talked with your GP about how you are feeling? It comes across that benefits are not the main issue.

SJI85

LeazesNDR wrote: »

Mother died of form of leukaemia last November, I was her home carer for the last 15 years or so and I am 60 this year. Just finished receiving last 8 weeks of carers allowance. (Have been left more than 16k.)

Sorry for the loss. I empathise and I'm sure caring for your mother was very difficult and was incredibly hard and stressful work. However, it remains that you haven't paid sufficient National Insurance contributions.

As far as income-based JSA goes, income-based benefits are intended to be for those who need the safety net. You now have 16k, which is enough to cover living costs. The welfare state cannot sustain those who have considerable savings but still wish to claim benefits.

You may be entitled to claim income-based benefits if you have savings worth 15k or below (but you will have benefit deducted according to you how much savings you have, unless you only have 5k or below).

Until then you can still sign on, just receive no money. You will get NI credits, though, which is important for your state pension.

Just recently found out that I could have claimed for a car to run my mother around in, a bit late for that now, isn't it.

Yes, and I empathise. This is why it's said the value of benefits people are entitled to, buy don't claim, exceeds fraud quite considerably.

It might not help you now, and you probably know this already, but a visit to your local CAB is often worthwhile if you are struggling, face illness, or otherwise have a change in your circumstances.

No wonder the government are getting the unemployed stats down when they are just kicking people into touch.

It's long been the case that those with sufficient savings aren't entitled to income-based JSA, so this is not a new trick that the this government or playing to get unemployment stats (or JSA claimant stats) down.

I'll try to be more upbeat from now on if I ever post again....

I hope you do (post again I mean, I'm not going to tell you how to feel).

LeazesNDR

It is much appreciated.
I guess the crux of my issue is that l am furious to be told that " I haven't been working" seeing as l have been 24/7 carer for so long and been unable to switch off from the job. Whatever happened to the "Who is caring for the carers" campaign?
Just more hot air and guff from politicians, many of who are basically the biggest rogues in the country.

I now have a few job in the bank and aren't particularly bothered about working full time again. Have done enough 24/7 caring work so a nice little part time job would be nice.
Anyway thanks to you all, I know I need to get my head sorted out and your kind replies will hopefully play apart in helping me achieve this.

marliepanda

It's not that you haven't been working, you've not been paying national insurance which is what qualifies you.

You can work low hours and still not pay in enough.

SandraScarlett

Hi Leazes. I am so sorry for your loss, which must be very deep and raw. You have spent such a long time putting your Mum's needs before your own, and it must be so hard wondering what you do next.


Baby steps first, are probably the best route. When was the last time you were able to go to your local shopping centre, and while away a couple of hours just mooching about, having a coffee etc, without looking at your watch?


As a 24/7 carer myself (DH has Alzheimer's), I know how tiring and relentless it is. If you have been paid CA, you will be credited for the applicable years, so your pension won't be affected.


Alas, not everyone is as tactful as they could be, and it may be that the person who said you hadn't worked, could have phrased it differently, and of course, you have worked harder than many folk do.


Fortunately you have the cushion of over £16K, so money isn't going to be the worry it might have been. It may be ages since you bought yourself any new clothes that you liked, instead of just choosing practical stuff. You may have always considered the meals your Mum preferred, without thinking of your own likes and dislikes.


So perhaps just a few well-deserved treats would be a good start. Don't try too quickly to get a job, take your time, whilst funds allow, and try to come to terms with the totally new concept, for you, of putting yourself first.


I wish you every happiness for the future. Good Luck! :beer:


xx

NYM

That's a lovely post x

Bogof_Babe

NYM wrote: »

That's a lovely post x

Seconded.

You are a very kind-hearted person Sandra, your posts are always caring, helpful and insightful, despite your own troubles. There should be more people in the world like you. :A