Leaving employment to care for partner

cool-dog

Hi, My partner is disabled, is on high rate care and mobility on dla and also gets esa.

His health has declined further, as a result I need to provide constant care. I am currently employed, have been constantly since I left education 15 years ago, and have never claimed benefits personally.

I am just after some advice please, we are unable to get any help via the council for a care worker, as I earn too much apparently, but we are unable to afford to employ someone.

If I were to leave work, would I be able to claim carers allowance, and apparently I could be entitled to Income Support. We have no savings or capital. Would there be any restrictions or penalties for leaving employment, even though it is to care for my disabled partner?

He has had falls and been rushed to hospital several times this year, he has a lifeline button pendant thing to press in an emergency. When I get a call saying he has fallen I need to leave work, my work are not supportive, despite them knowing the situation. I always make the time up.

Thank you for reading

Icequeen99

cool-dog wrote: »

Hi, My partner is disabled, is on high rate care and mobility on dla and also gets esa.

His health has declined further, as a result I need to provide constant care. I am currently employed, have been constantly since I left education 15 years ago, and have never claimed benefits personally.

I am just after some advice please, we are unable to get any help via the council for a care worker, as I earn too much apparently, but we are unable to afford to employ someone.

If I were to leave work, would I be able to claim carers allowance, and apparently I could be entitled to Income Support. We have no savings or capital. Would there be any restrictions or penalties for leaving employment, even though it is to care for my disabled partner?

He has had falls and been rushed to hospital several times this year, he has a lifeline button pendant thing to press in an emergency. When I get a call saying he has fallen I need to leave work, my work are not supportive, despite them knowing the situation. I always make the time up.

Thank you for reading

Before taking this step - you need to get some advice from perhaps Carers UK or Disability Rights UK as my understanding is that earnings are to be disregarded under the charging rules for home care.

Was your husband assessed as needing home care? How many hours?

I would check this out before you leave work which is obviously a big decision.

IQ

pmlindyloo

Is your husband on contribution based ESA or income based? Which group is he in? WRAG or Support?

cool-dog

Icequeen99 wrote: »

Before taking this step - you need to get some advice from perhaps Carers UK or Disability Rights UK as my understanding is that earnings are to be disregarded under the charging rules for home care.

Was your husband assessed as needing home care? How many hours?

I would check this out before you leave work which is obviously a big decision.

IQ

Thank you, I will check with Carers UK and Disability Rights UK.

Thank you

cool-dog

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Is your husband on contribution based ESA or income based? Which group is he in? WRAG or Support?

Sorry I believe it is income based, he is in the not available for work part.

Thank you

pmlindyloo

cool-dog wrote: »

Sorry I believe it is income based, he is in the not available for work part.

Thank you

Please check his award letter.

if it was income based ESA then your earnings would have probably wiped out his entitlement as regards actual money.

How much is he receiving in ESA?

pmlindyloo

May I suggest that you privately message this person

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5107475

as she cares for her husband and has received some support despite working.

You can, in theory claim Carer's Allowance and do a part time job (up to 16 hrs and must not earn over a certain amount).

There may be several options open to you so before you give up your employment message the person in the link and also go to CAB for help with support and benefit entitlement so you can maximise your income and maximise the support you are eligible for.