Carers allowance

newtothis999

Hi I currently get carer's allowance for my husband and severe disablement allowance for myself as we are currently claiming income support. However I hate being on income support and was wondering, if my husband could claim carer's allowance for me if I was working a few hours a week - either employed or self employed working from home. I get the lower rate of PIP for both mobility and care. This would be to make up the shortfall we would have from not being on income support

Any help would be appreciated.

poppy12345

newtothis999 wrote: »

Hi I currently get carer's allowance for my husband and severe disablement allowance for myself as we are currently claiming income support. However I hate being on income support and was wondering, if my husband could claim carer's allowance for me if I was working a few hours a week - either employed or self employed working from home. I get the lower rate of PIP for both mobility and care. This would be to make up the shortfall we would have from not being on income support

Any help would be appreciated.

Severe Disablement Allowance? do you mean Severe Disability Premium? (SDP) which is added onto your Income Support? You can't claim Carers Allowance as well as SDP. This is added onto your IS because you claim PIP. I'm guessing your hubby recieves DLA/PIP as well.

Mojisola

newtothis999 wrote: »

we are currently claiming income support.

However I hate being on income support

if my husband could claim carer's allowance for me

Out of interest, why do you hate being on income support but are not bothered by getting CA, DLA or PIP?

newtothis999

To be honest, I have never claimed benefits in my life not even tax credits! I'm now in my 50's and had to finish work three years ago to look after my husband who has severe mental health issues. I have suffered with poor health all my life which has got so bad that if i can find work I won't be able to work more that 10 - 12 hours a week.Plus I don't know how my husband will cope with this.

However I am getting a lot of sour grapes from family members who resent me getting 'paid to sit around all day' - their words. Basically none of them are understanding or helpful with my situation.

When I say I 'hate' being on income support its that I hate how I am affected by people's attitudes toward me. That's why I am trying to work out if I could cope financially if I show willing to do some work if only part time. I do feel that I am entitled to the disability benefits but don't know if we could cope financially with just the pip and carer's allowance and a wage of around £100/week. That's why I wanted to know if my husband could claim carer's allowance for me if I was to work a few hours a week. His problems are mental and mine are mobility based so he has to help me dress, bathe etc etc.

Mojisola

Penitent wrote: »

If going back to work for a few hours will potentially worsen your and your husband's health, then I recommend you tell your family members what they can go and do with themselves, instead of making yourself ill just to shut them up.

I agree with this. Life has dealt you a tough enough hand without pandering to the views of people who should be offering help, not criticism.

On the other hand, it is hard to be with someone 24/7 and you may find that a few hours out of the house is something of a relief.

But only go for it if it benefits you, not to satisfy other people.

poppy12345

newtothis999 wrote: »

To be honest, I have never claimed benefits in my life not even tax credits! I'm now in my 50's and had to finish work three years ago to look after my husband who has severe mental health issues. I have suffered with poor health all my life which has got so bad that if i can find work I won't be able to work more that 10 - 12 hours a week.Plus I don't know how my husband will cope with this.

However I am getting a lot of sour grapes from family members who resent me getting 'paid to sit around all day' - their words. Basically none of them are understanding or helpful with my situation.

When I say I 'hate' being on income support its that I hate how I am affected by people's attitudes toward me. That's why I am trying to work out if I could cope financially if I show willing to do some work if only part time. I do feel that I am entitled to the disability benefits but don't know if we could cope financially with just the pip and carer's allowance and a wage of around £100/week. That's why I wanted to know if my husband could claim carer's allowance for me if I was to work a few hours a week. His problems are mental and mine are mobility based so he has to help me dress, bathe etc etc.

I agree with others and would totally ignore what people say about you. If they could live just 1 day in your shoes i wonder if they would still have that same attitude, no of course they wouldn't. I hate it when some people so easily judge others when they clearly have no idea what goes on in their life.
As for the Carers Allowance because you claim Severe Disability Premium (SDP), your husband can't claim Carers for you. If he did then the SDP would stop. One of the criteria for SDP is no one claims Carers Allowance for you.

Diary

You could claim carers allowance for each other if you both earn below the earnings limit for carers allowance and fit the PIP criteria.

poppy12345

Diary wrote: »

You could claim carers allowance for each other if you both earn below the earnings limit for carers allowance and fit the PIP criteria.

Yes but doing that would also stop the SDP that one of them is currently claiming.

newtothis999

Thanks very much for your comments. I agree that some people need to live in my shoes for a day to see what life is really like!

Yes, working would make things more difficult for myself and my husband and I suppose I would be doing this for other people.

prosaver

newtothis999 wrote: »

Hi I currently get carer's allowance for my husband and severe disablement allowance for myself as we are currently claiming income support. However I hate being on income support and was wondering, if my husband could claim carer's allowance for me if I was working a few hours a week - either employed or self employed working from home. I get the lower rate of PIP for both mobility and care. This would be to make up the shortfall we would have from not being on income support

Any help would be appreciated.

whats the problem being on income support?

Mojisola

newtothis999 wrote: »

However I am getting a lot of sour grapes from family members who resent me getting 'paid to sit around all day' - their words.

When I say I 'hate' being on income support its that I hate how I am affected by people's attitudes toward me.

prosaver wrote: »

whats the problem being on income support?

Other people!