Parents Separated - Carers Allowance

pmlindyloo

If you want to have a read of the 'rules' then they are here.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/337399/dmgch11.pdf

sho_me_da_money

rogerblack wrote: »

In short - carers allowance doesn't mean you need to live together.
It simply means that 35 hours of care must happen by the claimant of the caree per week.

Are the two houses going to be used effectively as one bigger house with more space - how far apart are they?

Hi Roger,

Thank you for your feedback.

They are about about 10 mins walk away from each other. They will not form to be one home. I think the important question is defining "living together".

My mum is worried about spending "too much" time with my father before going back home thus raising any silly suspicions. I guess I need what constitutes as a definition for 'man' and 'wife' or 'living together'.

sho_me_da_money

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Based on what you say there wouldn't be a problem.

I misunderstood your first post when you said that she would be staying overnight occasionally. I took this to mean a few times a week.

Thanks PMLindy - you form as part of the community that makes one worth staying. Greatly appreciate your advice.

I think my mum would stay over 1 time a week and/or my dad would sleep at mums 1 time a week (twice max on some occassions or none otherwise)

SkyeKnight

sho_me_da_money wrote: »

Hi Roger,
They are about about 10 mins walk away from each other. They will not form to be one home. I think the important question is defining "living together".

My mum is worried about spending "too much" time with my father before going back home thus raising any silly suspicions. I guess I need what constitutes as a definition for 'man' and 'wife' or 'living together'.

They are obviously living as man and wife from any legal or other definition. They don't want to divorce, they want to spend time with each other, they just want to live in two separate properties because it suits their medical needs. Lots of married couples live apart, eg. in the army or having a flat in the city during the week, and are still considered married. I think the thing everyone is wondering is: why does it matter? If they aren't claiming any income related benefits then why are they worried about (correctly) being perceived as man and wife?

TELLIT01

The 'Living together' aspect is a real can of worms. On some benefits it is likely that in the given scenario they would be considered still to be a couple, on other benefits it is possible for a partner to be living away from home for work purposes, to send money home on a regular basis, but the other partner still to receive benefits. Crazy I know, but a fact nonetheless.
If the husband is receiving Contribution Based ESA there isn't an issue, but if he is on Income Related benefit it really is important that it is discussed with DWP.
As has already been said, Carers Allowance isn't affected.

Mojisola

sho_me_da_money wrote: »

My mum will not be claiming any sort of benefits (other than carers allowance).

Only my father would need the means tested benefits support.

Will he be claiming as a single person or will he include your mother on his claims?

rogerblack

keitht53 wrote: »

If the husband is receiving Contribution Based ESA there isn't an issue, but if he is on Income Related benefit it really is important that it is discussed with DWP.
As has already been said, Carers Allowance isn't affected.

This is not an issue, if they continue to claim as a couple.
They are - if they are intending ever to live together again - a couple from the point of view of ESA, at least.