Carers Allowance and its affect on the cared for person's income

pilsthedoughman

Hi all

Having sadly lost my wife to a sudden illness, aged just 51, 4 months or so ago, now I'm on my own and pretty lonely, I'm thinking of moving back home to live with and care for my Mum who is 84 and in receipt of AA at the highest rate - she too lives on her own after my Father died on Christmas Day 2013; as a family we have had a pretty rough time recently - my sister too sadly, suddenly passed away 2 years ago aged 56 !

I would probably claim Carers allowance, but dont know if it might have an affect on my Mother's income ?

She owns her own Bungalow and receives a State Pension, which she receives as one payment every 4 weeks and included in the payment is AA. She also receives a Private Pension each month from my Father's old employee and that takes her over Income Tax limit of £10k so she pays a little tax each month.

I too recieve a private pension having been retired on health grounds a year ago together with PIP and Bereavement Allowance - I do not work and at the moment am not seeking work and would probably not look to claim CA until the Bereavement allowance ends in October.

Is anyone able to help ?

Many thanks - it will be very much appreciated if anyone can help

pmlindyloo

pilsthedoughman wrote: »

Hi all

Having sadly lost my wife to a sudden illness, aged just 51, 4 months or so ago, now I'm on my own and pretty lonely, I'm thinking of moving back home to live with and care for my Mum who is 84 and in receipt of AA at the highest rate - she too lives on her own after my Father died on Christmas Day 2013; as a family we have had a pretty rough time recently - my sister too sadly, suddenly passed away 2 years ago aged 56 !

I would probably claim Carers allowance, but dont know if it might have an affect on my Mother's income ?

She owns her own Bungalow and receives a State Pension, which she receives as one payment every 4 weeks and included in the payment is AA. She also receives a Private Pension each month from my Father's old employee and that takes her over Income Tax limit of £10k so she pays a little tax each month.

I too recieve a private pension having been retired on health grounds a year ago together with PIP and Bereavement Allowance - I do not work and at the moment am not seeking work and would probably not look to claim CA until the Bereavement allowance ends in October.

Is anyone able to help ?

Many thanks - it will be very much appreciated if anyone can help

I am not very computer literate so am going to have to do this in more than one post as I can't do multi links.

Carer's Allowance and Bereavement Allowance are overlapping benefits. Basically you cannot be paid both but see here for more details.

http://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Overlapping-benefits

Sorry for your loss - what a horrid time for you all.

pmlindyloo

As regards your mum I think you need to check what benefits she is receiving.

Receiving AA with her state pension doesn't sound right.

The 'cared for' person's income is only affected if they are receiving an income based benefit and are receiving a severe disability premium (or addition) because they are living on their own and no-one is receiving Carer's Allowance for them. If someone moved in with them and claimed CA then they would lose this premium (which is worth about £60 a week)

It does not sound as if your mum is receiving this.

It might be worth doing a benefit check for your mum to make sure she is receiving the correct benefits.

Use the calculator on here:

http://www.entitledto.co.uk

pmlindyloo

And just one more!

Please think very carefully about you are thinking of doing.

It is very very early days after your wife's passing and I can understand you are feeling very lonely.

There are organisations that can support you through this time (hopefully someone can provide some links) and making such a life changing decision while you are still grieving may not be a good idea.

Perhaps give yourself some more time?

red_me

pilsthedoughman you could pop over to the carers forum and have a chat there, its very friendly
http://www.carersuk.org/

Hope to see you there soon.