Claiming Carers Allowance whilst employed as a Personal Assistant through direct payments

trebah

Hello 

I wonder if you can help me? 

I have been  approved by my local authority to have the support of 15 hours per week of a Personal Assistant via direct payments. They have said I can employ my mother because she doesn't live with me. She is my carer and has been since I got ill. She receives carers allowance. 

I'm trying to find a clear answer for if she can legally claim carers allowance whilst also being employed as my personal assistant? The hours would take her over the carers allowance £138 pw income threshold however she can write off expenses she incurs of being my carer such as petrol, driving me to appts and such. 
Any ideas much appreciated 
Thanks 
Trebah 

Icequeen1

I'm  not aware of any rule saying she can't, but you need to be careful about the expenses. The limit is £128 not £138 - she can't write off home to work mileage/petrol. It is strict about what expenses can be deducted. Also, she will be your employee so you will need to register with HMRC and run a payroll, think about insurance for her car for business and all of the employment law requirements.. Hopefully your local authority are helping you with this.