What might son be entitled to if he cares for me

misty-mitts

I've been disabled for many years, and my husband has been my carer as well as working full time and doing most things around the house. I can only get out when he takes me.

I've got a lot worse over the last 18 months, so can do less and need a lot more care. Last year my husband injured his back pushing my wheelchair and was off work for about 3 months. Combined with him getting cellulitis and then the flu, he was sacked.

He's found another job, though less well-paid, but is really struggling to cope with the job, all my needs, and looking after the house and garden.

My eldest son has been in his job for 20 years, but things have got more and more stressful. He hates the shift pattern he's on and feels ill, tired and stressed all the time. He lives 150 miles away in a flat he owns with a mortgage. He has suggested coming to live with us to care for me and do stuff in the house and garden, whilst renting out the flat he owns. By the time the mortgage, ground rent and service charges are taken off the rent, he would only have a couple of hundred pounds a month to live on.

He is willing to look for a job up here if it will fit in with my husband's hours so there is always one or the other one here, or to see if there is any work he can do from 'home' but ideally would love to try and get his own business off the ground on a self-employed basis.

If it all worked out it would be great for all of us. But though we can offer him rent-free accommodation, he'll be hard pushed to pay his car expenses, phone, etc when searching for a job.

From what I've read, he may be able to claim carer's allowance? Does that seem right? And might he also be eligible for Universal Credit? Please can anyone help with any advice here? Thanks in advance

poppy12345

For your son to claim carers allowance for looking after you, you need to be claiming either PIP daily living, DLA mid/high rate care or Attendance Allowance. Do you claim any of those?

calcotti

As poppy says regarding Carer’s Allowance.

In respect of UC your son’s problem will be the value of the flat that he is not living in which will count as capital. If it is worth more than £16,000 (after any outstanding mortgage and 10% sale costs) then he is excluded from claiming UC. If he chooses to put the flat on the market the value can be ignored for a period. Similarly the value can be ignored if his absence from the flat is temporary.

Cyclamen

A different thought..
Have you looked into adult social care? Like everything it's underfunded and can be hard to get but for me it was a life changer.

This doesn't stop son also movng in but would give you some additional support (it is means tested I pay towards mine from PIP) and take pressure off family so they can be husband/son without caring role for a while.

Your husband is also entitled to a carers assesment.. thi is worth doing. He may be offered 'hours' to give him a break e.g someone to stay with you whilst he goes to a hobby, or even practical help such as household jobs... it varies hugely from area to area

misty-mitts

Poppy thank you. Yes, I do claim the relevant pip benefit.

misty-mitts

Calcotti, thanks. That is a difficult one. His intention is to go back to the flat 'sometime'. The idea is that if he spends say a year up here he can help us to adapt the house more for my needs, whilst giving my husband a bit of a break. If successful he'll go back to his flat. If we are still struggling then he may well decide to sell the flat. We just don't know at this stage.

calcotti

misty-mitts wrote: »

Poppy thank you. Yes, I do claim the relevant pip benefit.

Then son could claim Carer’s Allowance for looking after you (assuming your husband is not already claiming it) provided he does not earn more than £123/week from employment or self employment. CA is £66.15/week.
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance
Be aware that claims seem to take two or three months to process.