help again

elantan

hi everyone, just another wee question i have been asked to ask...i know a person who is seriously ill and recieves D.L.A ...she was questioned today bye the job centre as soon as walked in the girl behind the desk apologised for giving her the letter and helped her with review (kindve off the record) of her benefits...she feels that she should be entitled to have an allowance for someone coming in to help her with housework etc (as she cant manage this any more i have to go down occasionally and help ) now i am not interested in having this money i dont help that often ...but her grandson does help her with things everyday makes dinner(not the best but he wont kill them) does a bit of house work etc (she is unable to do it herself) he has done it for years and not complained (wishing he was my son here) he is a full time student(16) pops in before school and after school and spends a good fair bit of holidays and weekends there to help etc...what i am basically asking for my friend can she claim assistance for a 16 year old student that helps her out? thanks

Hapless_2

normally if someone was helping her like that they would be a carer and get carers allowance as long as she was recieving middle or higher rate care component. Unfortunately her grandson would not be able to get it as he is a full time student and you have to be caring for min 35 hrs a week. Maybe a chat with someone from the adult social servicesat the local council may help.

cattie

Carer's allowance is paid at somewhere around £45 I believe, but if you live alone & qualify for a disability premium via income support due to your level of dla & the fact that you live alone, then the disability premium is lost when somebody claims carer's allowance for you. It's a double edged sword that needs to be thought about by the dla claimant.

lil_me

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/MoneyMatters/DG_10012522 as it states on there full time students can not claim carers allowance.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/MoneyMatters/DG_10018517 this may be worth looking into for her. If she is entitled she would be able to employ someone. This may be what the advisor was suggesting as carers allowance is for carers who basically care full time rather than popping in to do household chores etc.

elantan

thanks everyone will pass it on