Caring for a relative

stumac1980

I am currently working full time and earning a annual salary of £17,500 However my mother has taken a real turn for the worse with her dementia and needs someone to look after her and be with her during the day and night.

As i have a good relationship with her i was thinking of quitting my job and providing care for her full time, yet i am unsure what i would be entitled to and if this would match my current salary.

Ames

It depends on various factors - do you have a partner and/or children?

It's highly unlikley you'd get as much as your salary in benefits. Carer's Allowance is £62.70 a week, although depending on other household income you might be able to top it up with means tested benefits. If you rent you might get help with that and council tax.

In order to claim Carer's Allowance your mum would need to be receiving Attendance Allowance (assuming she's over 65).

stumac1980

I currently live by myself but do have a daughter from a previous relationship. i currently live in rented accommodation.

xylophone

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/carers-allowance/

xylophone

And https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/work-and-career/thinking-of-leaving-work

pmlindyloo

You can put your details into a benefits calculator on https://www.turn2us.org.uk to find out your possible entitlements.

You say your mum needs day and night care. Has she had a social services assessment to see if she qualifies for more help? Please get this sorted as giving up your job to care for your mum is admirable but you may need some support if she needs day and night care.

Is she receiving any benefits? Your claiming CA may affect her benefits.

elsien

Would you be looking to give up your own place to move be in with her? You also need to consider what may happen if you are not able to manage on your own, for example if mum's behaviour changes and she becomes aggressive. I'm not saying don't do it: some people do and cope admirably. Others find it much harder than ever anticipated as the dementia progresses in ways they did not expect.
And some local authorities have a bad habit of leaving existing carers to get on with it. Happened in my family.
Pmlindyloo is right - get a Care needs assessment then take it from there.