Carers allowance to ESA/PIP..?

harveybobbles

Can someone who is on CA move onto ESA and/or PIP as they need back surgery and will be unable to "care" for the person they recieve CA for..?

poppy12345

Hi, Carers allowance is completely different to ESA and PIP. You would only receive carers allowance if you care for someone for more than 35 hours per week. If you no longer do this then you should ring them and tell them.

harveybobbles

I understand how it works.

I was asking is it possible to apply for ESA or PIP while having/recovering from back surgery?

kittykat17

I originally put in my claim for PIP because I had hoped to have major spinal surgery and was told it would take 12-18 months to fully recover. If your recovery is expected to be over a year then I'd suggest you put in a claim quickly.


I'm not too sure about ESA but think you would be able to make a claim for ESA as JSA wouldn't be appropriate. Hopefully someone who knows more about this will be along and can steer you in the right direction.


Do you have a welfare rights officer in your area? Might be worth having a chat to them to find out where you would stand.


Good luck

poppy12345

It depends, If the person has a partener who works then they probably wouldn't be able to claim ESA. With PIP you must have had the difficulties for at least 3 months and expect them for at least a further 9 months. Also for PIP You need to show your needs are significantly more to that of a healthy person of the same age. It's not about the condition itself, it's how the condition affects you in daily life.

kittykat17

poppy12345 wrote: »

It depends, If the person has a partener who works then they probably wouldn't be able to claim ESA. With PIP you must have had the difficulties for at least 3 months and expect them for at least a further 9 months. Also for PIP You need to show your needs are significantly more to that of a healthy person of the same age. It's not about the condition itself, it's how the condition affects you in daily life.

Hi Poppy, when I originally put the claim in because of expecting the op I was told that because I'd had the condition for years and due to the difficulties I was having and extra probs I'd have after the op then I would qualify for PIP. I wasn't able to have the op in the end but qualified due to the care and mobility needs I have anyway.


I should think the OP has had her current condition for some time since she's expecting to have her op. Assuming she is currently experiencing care and / or mobility needs at the moment I think there's a good chance she would qualify.


OP take a look at the PIP descriptors and see which ones apply to you in your current situation. If your condition is expected to last for at least 9 months and you think you'll qualify then call DWP and put your claim in - I waited a year for my 'award' but believe it's a bit faster now.


As I said, I'm not too sure about ESA but hopefully someone who does know about it will be able to give you the correct info.

harveybobbles

Back problems have been there for many years, but have been managed with pain meds/physio up until recently.

poppy12345

kittykat17 wrote: »

Hi Poppy, when I originally put the claim in because of expecting the op I was told that because I'd had the condition for years and due to the difficulties I was having and extra probs I'd have after the op then I would qualify for PIP. I wasn't able to have the op in the end but qualified due to the care and mobility needs I have anyway.


I should think the OP has had her current condition for some time since she's expecting to have her op. Assuming she is currently experiencing care and / or mobility needs at the moment I think there's a good chance she would qualify.


OP take a look at the PIP descriptors and see which ones apply to you in your current situation. If your condition is expected to last for at least 9 months and you think you'll qualify then call DWP and put your claim in - I waited a year for my 'award' but believe it's a bit faster now.


As I said, I'm not too sure about ESA but hopefully someone who does know about it will be able to give you the correct info.

Hi, Qualifying and getting a decision in your favour is 2 completely different things though. PIP is extremely hard to get and completely different to DLA. So many people have been refused PIP including those transfering from DLA. I've heard that people have been claiming DLA for 10+ years and been refused PIP.

The waiting times for assessment are still extremely long with a lot of people waiting more than 10 months. Good luck to those still waiting. I'm glad it's all over for me with a happy out come.

pmlindyloo

As regards contribution based ESA, according to this

https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-credits/eligibility

if you are receiving Carer's Allowance you get class 1 NI credits automatically.

kittykat17

poppy12345 wrote: »

Hi, Qualifying and getting a decision in your favour is 2 completely different things though. PIP is extremely hard to get and completely different to DLA. So many people have been refused PIP including those transfering from DLA. I've heard that people have been claiming DLA for 10+ years and been refused PIP.

The waiting times for assessment are still extremely long with a lot of people waiting more than 10 months. Good luck to those still waiting. I'm glad it's all over for me with a happy out come.

I know that Poppy - as I said it took a year (less a couple of days) for me to get my award - Standard rate care & enhanced mobililty. However, if the OP feels they qualify then they should put their claim in asap - if they are awarded it great but if they don't apply quickly if may be too late. The OP may not get a decision in their favour but you can but try!