The Order of things!

WoodyMax

Hello I have recently given up work to care for my husband who gets enhanced PIP for both mobility and care.
My husband intends to claim pension credit (with me on his claim).

Should I claim for Carers Allowance before he claims for Pension Credit or the other way round - just not sure which is the best way to proceed.

Many thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

Alice_Holt

I'm not sure the sequence of claiming makes much difference.

If you are sure this is the best route for you - I would tend to get the claim(s) in asap.
You may wish to confirm this is the best option by using a benefits calculator -
https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/
or getting a benefits check at your local CAB.

Once in receipt of PC you should get the disability premium (re PIP) and the carers premium (as you have an underlying entitlement to CA). For guaranteed PC this should total c.£350pw. You will get automatic entitlement to HB (if relevant) and maximum help with Council Tax.
https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/help-with-benefits/other-pension-age-benefits
"The minimum guarantee for a couple is £248.80 per week.

There are certain additional amounts that can be added onto your minimum guarantee:

The Carer Addition is £36.00 per week and can be included if you are also receiving Carer’s Allowance or the underlying entitlement to Carer’s Allowance.
The Severe Disability Addition is £64.30 per week for each person who qualifies and can be included if you (and your partner if you have one) receive a qualifying disability benefit (which includes the middle or the higher rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Attendance Allowance), live alone (there are exceptions to this rule), and if no one is paid Carer’s Allowance or the carer element of Universal Credit for looking after you."

pmlindyloo

I believe that there are long waiting times for processing both Pension Credit and Carer's Allowance.

Your OH can put in a claim for PC up to 4 months before he is eligible. I would strongly advise him to do this.

Ditto with Carer's Allowance. Claim it now.

When your OH makes the claim for PC he should tell them that you have made a claim for CA and are awaiting the decision. (if they send you an application form for PC then there is a question about this)

xylophone

The OP's disabled husband is already State Pension Age ( and presumably in receipt of SP) but the OP was earning a salary high enough to disqualify them from GPC.

The OP has recently been made redundant but will not be eligible to claim her deferred DB pension until she is 60 in 2020.

OP may find this useful

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/factsheets/fs48_pension_credit_fcs.pdf

bigbill

Alice_Holt wrote: »

Once in receipt of PC you should get the disability premium (re PIP) and the carers premium (as you have an underlying entitlement to CA). For guaranteed PC this should total c.£350pw.

Would love to know how you arrived at this amount Alice (£350 Wkly) as the disability premium is not available in PC, I have it at £284.80 less any income such as Carers, any old age pension, work pension etc, PIP is of course ignored.