Carer's Allowance & PIP/DLA

fleetingmind

I have recently been discharged from hospital following 3.5 months in hospital after a life threatening illness. The infection I had has eaten away at my spine and I now have to see a spinal specialist. So with this and a lot of fat/muscle loss there are a lot of things I can't do for myself like cooking, cleaning, shower, walking,etc

When in hospital my wife gave up her jobs to visit and now care for me. My employers have continued to pay me since February but obviously my wife has lost her income however small it was but was needed each month.

Speaking to one of the district nurses they mentioned the carer's allowance and we should investigate it.

I expect to be back at work in October however only working from home as I have to commute to London and obviously won't be able to do that this soon. I'm not registered?? As disabled but do have currently severe lack of mobility and if in a car require to be near the place I'm going and enough space to open passenger door fully so my wife can help me get out. I of course hope in future months to gradually regain my mobility.

Are these benefits something that is open to me?

merlin68

To get carers allowance you have to be awarded pip. Pip expects the condition to last 9 months.
Put a claim in and see what happens. It's a hard benefit to get.

fleetingmind

Thank you for your reply. Is that 9 months going forward or from when it started?

nannytone_2

9 months going forward.
to get PIP the care/mobility needs have to last for a year.
3 months before you can put in a claim and then a further 9 months that you expect to have those needs

to get a blue badge, you normally need a PIP mobility award, but councils have the discretion to award one without.
you should speak to your local council about this

pmlindyloo

You need to speak to your doctor and get some indication of how long your care and mobility needs are going to last to see if you meet the time criteria.

PIP is about care and mobility needs so look at the descriptors and see if you think you are eligible now and will be for the next 9 months. If you decide to apply you will need support and evidence from medical professionals for your claim. Also I would recommend getting help from CAB or a welfare advisor to complete the form.

You need to be on the standard rate of daily living for your wife to claim Carer's Allowance.

Are you being paid your full salary or just SSP?

Try putting your details into the benefit calculator on https://www.entitledto.co.uk to see if you are eligible for any other benefits.

fleetingmind

Apologies for bumping an old post.

So I got awarded the standard daily living component of PIP. My company are still kindly paying me full pay while I'm off sick.
As mentioned before my wife gave up work to help care/ look after me. I've been advised she would be able to claim for carer's allowance. I understand this is taxable though (unlike my PIP). She also receives Child Benefit.

How would this effect this and who would work out the tax element? (Accountant, HMRC)?

Darksparkle

fleetingmind wrote: »

Apologies for bumping an old post.

So I got awarded the standard daily living component of PIP. My company are still kindly paying me full pay while I'm off sick.
As mentioned before my wife gave up work to help care/ look after me. I've been advised she would be able to claim for carer's allowance. I understand this is taxable though (unlike my PIP). She also receives Child Benefit.

How would this effect this and who would work out the tax element? (Accountant, HMRC)?

DWP would report it to HMRC.

If child benefit and carers allowance is the only income she has, there would be no tax to pay as carers allowance is less than the personal allowance.

fleetingmind

Darksparkle wrote: »

DWP would report it to HMRC.

If child benefit and carers allowance is the only income she has, there would be no tax to pay as carers allowance is less than the personal allowance.

Thank you very much. She doesn't get Child Tax Credits as I earn over £32k but obviously gets Child Benefit and as you say would still be under taxable yearly threshold.

So she wouldn't have to do a tax return?

Darksparkle

fleetingmind wrote: »

Thank you very much. She doesn't get Child Tax Credits as I earn over £32k but obviously gets Child Benefit and as you say would still be under taxable yearly threshold.

So she wouldn't have to do a tax return?

No, self assessment is not necessary for those only receiving carers.