Carers allowance & job seekers allowance mentioned in manifesto....

mirry

...

Increase the Carers' Allowance to the same level as Jobseekers' Allowance (JSA) and pay a higher rate of JSA if you've been in work and already made tax and National Insurance contributions.

This is the article....http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29642613

allen35

Totally agree with the principle, if nothing else I would certainly like to see carer's being allowed to earn a little more than £102 pw and keep the benefit.

This is one instance where work doesn't pay....

FBaby

I think increasing carer's allowance is a good move, but only if they introduce checks that the person is actually providing 35 hours of care beyong what would be normal within the relationship. I think there is quite some abuse of it with people 'keeping company' rather than providing proper care, or counting what they do for a child/partner within the 35 hours that they would do for them even if they were not disabled.

allen35

FBaby wrote: »

I think increasing carer's allowance is a good move, but only if they introduce checks that the person is actually providing 35 hours of care beyong what would be normal within the relationship. I think there is quite some abuse of it with people 'keeping company' rather than providing proper care, or counting what they do for a child/partner within the 35 hours that they would do for them even if they were not disabled.

Carer's Allowance has many holes in the criteria, i would of thought initially the idea was to help disabled persons remain in their own community/homes with additional care from family/friends to support this rather than use day care centres, care homes, hospital, respite, district nurse etc.... without starting a debate I find it hard to understand that a parent/partner would be paid for caring for their own when the above doesn't apply where acknowledgement of caring would be suffice.

Horseunderwater

But that increase in CA is only mentioned by UKIP -no one else. My OH does at least 10hrs/day BTW. He's waiting for a DM to approve his CA application.

rogerblack

An obvious issue - never mind that it's UKIP only - is what about people who have been claiming CA for >2 years, and will not have two recent years of NI contributions.

Plus - CA allows massively more than JSA - you can earn up to 100 pounds more, without affecting your CA at all.

TELLIT01

I absolutely agree that Carer's Allowance should pay more but it does have to be properly controlled. I've never been able to understand how a person who is in receipt of Higher Rate Care & Mobility on DLA (or the equivalent on PIP) can be an effective carer for anybody. I've seen claims where both partners claim CA for the other with this level of DLA.

tea-bag

TELLIT01 wrote: »

I absolutely agree that Carer's Allowance should pay more but it does have to be properly controlled. I've never been able to understand how a person who is in receipt of Higher Rate Care & Mobility on DLA (or the equivalent on PIP) can be an effective carer for anybody. I've seen claims where both partners claim CA for the other with this level of DLA.

This is very common, just another reason why the disability/benefits gravy train needs to be reformed.

racon

rogerblack wrote: »

CA allows massively more than JSA - you can earn up to 100 pounds more, without affecting your CA at all.

Hey, the only reason why it is higher is because the carer is already 'working' for at least 35 hours a week. There is no real hope that they could take on a full time job as well. They will however be able to do a small part time time and receive £100 a week. That in effect means that doing both jobs, 35 + 15, they will be working for, at best, £161.35 a week for a 50 hour week. That works out at £3.22 an hour!!
What makes it even worse is that the carer could well have given up a full time job paying £30,000/£40,000/£50,000 a year. Doesn't seem fair does it?

tomtontom

racon wrote: »

Hey, the only reason why it is higher is because the carer is already 'working' for at least 35 hours a week. There is no real hope that they could take on a full time job as well. They will however be able to do a small part time time and receive £100 a week. That in effect means that doing both jobs, 35 + 15, they will be working for, at best, £161.35 a week for a 50 hour week. That works out at £3.22 an hour!!
What makes it even worse is that the carer could well have given up a full time job paying £30,000/£40,000/£50,000 a year. Doesn't seem fair does it?

We all know that you (claim to) get far more than £160 a week Andy - well, depending on what story you're telling that day!

racon

tomtontom wrote: »

We all know that you (claim to) get far more than £160 a week Andy - well, depending on what story you're telling that day!

Hey, sorry??