alzheimers and benefits

tortmad

Could someone please give me some advice please.

Myself and my son live with my dad who has Alzheimer's, he is 85. My son claims carers allowance because he cares for my dad during the day and at night while I work part time and help when I am at home. We need a new boiler, the boiler is about 15 years old and my dad does not get pension credits because my son claims carers allowance. I contacted pension credits and they said if my son stopped claiming my dad would be entitled to pension credits. My question is this, if my son stops claiming how soon would he be able to 're-claim. I am only doing this for the boiler as there is no way I could afford to buy a new one with our income. Is this dishonest? . I wouldn't want to be dishonest, just looking for a helping hand. Thanks for any help.

elsien

Can't help with your question, but have you tried contacting Age UK for advice? They're usually pretty good on knowing all the ins and outs of the various benefits etc. I wouldn't take the pension credit people's word for anything without checking independently first.

racon

elsien wrote: »

Can't help with your question, but have you tried contacting Age UK for advice? They're usually pretty good on knowing all the ins and outs of the various benefits etc. I wouldn't take the pension credit people's word for anything without checking independently first.

Hey, are you suggesting that the Pension Service don't know the 'in's and out's' of the benefit that they are responsible for? Seems a poor situation if some part time 'adviser' from a charity is deemed to be more qualified.
My suggestion is to put the situation to the Pension Service in writing and see where it takes you. They are the ones that will make the ultimate decision not a well meaning charity.

elsien

racon wrote: »

Hey, are you suggesting that the Pension Service don't know the 'in's and out's' of the benefit that they are responsible for?

Having had various run-ins with both DLA and income support where they swore blind payments were correct despite me knowing they had made a mistake, then them doing an about turn months later and wanting large quantities of cash back again, that is exactly what I am suggesting.

And whilst on the subject of DWP incompetence.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5135957

Mojisola

My parents received Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance and Carer's Allowance so, unless the law has changed, the advice was wrong.

racon

elsien wrote: »

Having had various run-ins with both DLA and income support where they swore blind payments were correct despite me knowing they had made a mistake, then them doing an about turn months later and wanting large quantities of cash back again, that is exactly what I am suggesting.

And whilst on the subject of DWP incompetence.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5135957

Hey I am not suggesting that the DWP or the Pension Service get it right all of the time, at the end of the day those that make the decisions are human after all much the same as the helpers are at AgeUK. All I am saying is that to get the right answer you should at least put your questions in writing to the relevant Government department.


As for my own personal affairs, I believe quite strongly that the DWP did get it wrong. There are processes in place to have the decision reviewed and if required, to be heard by an independent Tribunal.
Unfortunately I failed to adhere to the time limits set down to have that decision looked at again. Hence the reason why it is now final. That was my mistake and has nothing to do with the DWP. I had the chance/opportunity to have the mistake the DWP made rectified but I didn't take the offer up.

Horseunderwater

To the OP - get in an application Attendance Allowance now as well as pension credit. He may well get both. The extra would help you get the boiler & if like me there is a free boiler scheme going near you, you could get one. Would think he'd get the higher rate AA too - £81.30/week. Is his income below £148.35? If yes he would get something. He might also get £61.10 as he is severely disabled & also be entitled to carers premium on top. The latter is because your son claims CA.

Mojisola

He must already be getting AA (or DLA) otherwise the grandson couldn't be claiming CA.

tortmad

Thanks for your relies. My dad gets 122 state pension, 67 work pension and 54 disability each week.

Mojisola

His pension income is too high for PC -
https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/what-youll-get

anmarj

As the father lives with his daughter then the premium would not apply anyway.