Carers allowance-does this sound right?

MXW

I am asking the question with relation to my posting on the marriage forum with respect to my court case today. My ex's partner has taken out a loan for £8,500 which she states is for a car as she takes care of her aunt who has parkinsons disease and she has to fetch and carry for her so needs a reliable car, she states that she receives a carers allowance for this which pays her loan. As far as i was aware (and I could quite well be wrong) the carers allowance is paid by the local council, my ex's partner has produced a payslip (name of employer has been scribbled out) and states this is her carers allowance. My ex reckons it is paid by social services (all that is shown on the payslip is the name of the payroll services) Does this sound right........that you are paid a carers allowance like a wage for looking after a relative? The reason I ask is that she has been investigated for benefit fraud before (the courts are not aware of this) and had to pay back £11,000. Any advice would be much appreciated.

fos

Carers allowance is paid by the DWP

MXW

fos wrote: »

Carers allowance is paid by the DWP

Thanks for your reply. Would you normally get a payslip as though you were an employee?

bigbill

Sounds like a direct payment to me.

stazi

Carer's Allowance info-
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/MoneyMatters/DG_10012522

filigree_2

fos is right - CA is paid by the DWP and claimants get an award letter to use as proof that they claim it. The money is paid directly into your bank account so there is nothing that resembles a payslip.

If the Aunt is seriously disabled then in theory she would qualify for a Motability car, paid for out of Auntie's benefits. It shouldn't be necessary for a carer to buy a car out of their own money, although everyone's circumstances are different.

Bigbill could be right - disabled people have the option of direct payments where they get an allowance to pay someone to give them the help they need, which would probably be through an agency. The Ex should be able to provide a letter from such an agency confirming that she works for them, if that's the case.

It does sound a bit fishy.

MXW

filigree wrote: »

fos is right - CA is paid by the DWP and claimants get an award letter to use as proof that they claim it. The money is paid directly into your bank account so there is nothing that resembles a payslip.

If the Aunt is seriously disabled then in theory she would qualify for a Motability car, paid for out of Auntie's benefits. It shouldn't be necessary for a carer to buy a car out of their own money, although everyone's circumstances are different.

Bigbill could be right - disabled people have the option of direct payments where they get an allowance to pay someone to give them the help they need, which would probably be through an agency. The Ex should be able to provide a letter from such an agency confirming that she works for them, if that's the case.

It does sound a bit fishy.

Thanks for your reply. The wage slip that has been provided confirms that she works 9 hours a week. As I understand it to receive carers allowance she would need to care for a minimum of 35 hours and receive less than £89 (taking into account expenses) do you know if this still applies if a direct payment is made?

Many thanks

calleyw

MXW wrote: »

Thanks for your reply. The wage slip that has been provided confirms that she works 9 hours a week. As I understand it to receive carers allowance she would need to care for a minimum of 35 hours and receive less than £89 (taking into account expenses) do you know if this still applies if a direct payment is made?

Many thanks

Still the same

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/MoneyMatters/DG_10012522

35 hours plus a week and you can't earn more than £89 per week after tax.

Direct payments is just a way of making a payment everything else stays the same.


Yours


Calley

MXW

calleyw wrote: »

Still the same

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/MoneyMatters/DG_10012522

35 hours plus a week and you can't earn more than £89 per week after tax.

Direct payments is just a way of making a payment everything else stays the same.


Yours


Calley

Thanks for your reply. You are correct, I rang dwp this morning and they have confirmed what you have said. They have confirmed that under no circumstances would a pay slip be provided for carers allowance (bearing in mind it states 9 hours and she earns more than £89 per week) I just can't beleive some people.......this info was provided in court and under oath! Let's just hope the judge knows his benefits and sees through it!:mad:

Js_Other_Half

The lady in question may be being paid by Direct Payments. This is where the aunt is given money by social services to pay for her own care. She can then choose to employ an agency, or a neighbour/relative. In this area the Direct Payments pay about £10 an hour. It is then up to them to sort out between them tax, Ni etc if applicable.

MXW

Js_Other_Half wrote: »

The lady in question may be being paid by Direct Payments. This is where the aunt is given money by social services to pay for her own care. She can then choose to employ an agency, or a neighbour/relative. In this area the Direct Payments pay about £10 an hour. It is then up to them to sort out between them tax, Ni etc if applicable.

Thanks for your reply. Sorry if I am being a bit dim (this is all new to me) If the aunt was paying my ex's partner then surely it wouldn't go through an agency, as in effect my ex's partner would have to be employed by the agency. In addition to that it has been sworn on oath that she works 9 hours per week not 35 AND her income is more than £89 per week.