I DIDN'T KNOW THIS !!

merlypea

Looking after a disabled friend as an unpaid carer for over 20 years is now taking its toll, claiming many benefits were often declined, DLA PIP (twice) there was always an excuse as to why she was turned down.

Now we are both retired my friend qualified for Attendance allowance, so I applied for carer allowance, as a pensioner paying for all the bills related to being a car owner I'm now struggling. It was ok when I was working as it was on my way, but now I don't work the car is mainly used to get her from a to b shopping and visiting her most days, which is costing me about £70 a month in petrol not to mention wear and tear, I have now had to limit the number of times I visit

When I applied for carers allowance, DWP wrote to my friend saying that her benefits would be affected if I continued with the claim, they told me the same. so I stopped  the claim, I did this because it's taken for her to reach retirement to get what she deserved, much needed  financial help. Why then, as I don't live with her, is it that her benefits should be affected by me making a claim,  I have now just seen I can claim a fuel allowance, but will this also affect her benefits, many thanks

whizzywoo

merlypea said:

Looking after a disabled friend as an unpaid carer for over 20 years is now taking its toll, claiming many benefits were often declined, DLA PIP (twice) there was always an excuse as to why she was turned down.

Now we are both retired my friend qualified for Attendance allowance, so I applied for carer allowance, as a pensioner paying for all the bills related to being a car owner I'm now struggling. It was ok when I was working as it was on my way, but now I don't work the car is mainly used to get her from a to b shopping and visiting her most days, which is costing me about £70 a month in petrol not to mention wear and tear, I have now had to limit the number of times I visit

When I applied for carers allowance, DWP wrote to my friend saying that her benefits would be affected if I continued with the claim, they told me the same. so I stopped  the claim, I did this because it's taken for her to reach retirement to get what she deserved, much needed  financial help. Why then, as I don't live with her, is it that her benefits should be affected by me making a claim,  I have now just seen I can claim a fuel allowance, but will this also affect her benefits, many thanks

1)  YOU:  If you claim Carer's Allowance and you receive State Pension yourself, you do not receive the cash amount of the Carer's Allowance unless your SP is less than the weekly Carer's Allowance.

It is an Overlapping Benefit and you would have an Underlying Entitlement to Carer's Allowance.  This Underlying Entitlement for Carer's Allowance may entitle you to more money in various other benefits including Pension Credit and Council Tax Reduction.  

2)  YOUR FRIEND:  If someone claims Carer's Allowance for your friend then it will NOT affect their State Pension or the actual Attendance Allowance they receive.  BUT if may reduce any Pension Credit or Council Tax Reduction they are receiving.

What benefits if any do you and your friend claim apart from State Pension and your friend's Attendance Allowance?  It all depends on whether or not either of you are claiming any Means Tested Benefits.

I have never heard of Carer's being able to claim a fuel allowance.  How did you discover this?

poppy12345

If your friend lives alone then they will be entitled to Severe disability premium which is paid in with pension credit. Part of the criteria for this is that no one claims Carers allowance for looking after them. The SDP is current £67.30 per week. Losing the SDP could also mean losing other benefits she may curently be receiiving like Housing benefit and council tax reduction.

What fuel allowance are you referring too?

bargainbetty

If your friend is receiving all the benefits and is unwilling for you to claim help, can she not pay for your petrol? You should not be out of pocket for kindness. 

MouldyOldDough

whizzywoo said:

merlypea said:

Looking after a disabled friend as an unpaid carer for over 20 years is now taking its toll, claiming many benefits were often declined, DLA PIP (twice) there was always an excuse as to why she was turned down.

Now we are both retired my friend qualified for Attendance allowance, so I applied for carer allowance, as a pensioner paying for all the bills related to being a car owner I'm now struggling. It was ok when I was working as it was on my way, but now I don't work the car is mainly used to get her from a to b shopping and visiting her most days, which is costing me about £70 a month in petrol not to mention wear and tear, I have now had to limit the number of times I visit

When I applied for carers allowance, DWP wrote to my friend saying that her benefits would be affected if I continued with the claim, they told me the same. so I stopped  the claim, I did this because it's taken for her to reach retirement to get what she deserved, much needed  financial help. Why then, as I don't live with her, is it that her benefits should be affected by me making a claim,  I have now just seen I can claim a fuel allowance, but will this also affect her benefits, many thanks

1)  YOU:  If you claim Carer's Allowance and you receive State Pension yourself, you do not receive the cash amount of the Carer's Allowance unless your SP is less than the weekly Carer's Allowance.

It is an Overlapping Benefit and you would have an Underlying Entitlement to Carer's Allowance.  This Underlying Entitlement for Carer's Allowance may entitle you to more money in various other benefits including Pension Credit and Council Tax Reduction.  

2)  YOUR FRIEND:  If someone claims Carer's Allowance for your friend then it will NOT affect their State Pension or the actual Attendance Allowance they receive.  BUT if may reduce any Pension Credit or Council Tax Reduction they are receiving.

What benefits if any do you and your friend claim apart from State Pension and your friend's Attendance Allowance?  It all depends on whether or not either of you are claiming any Means Tested Benefits.

I have never heard of Carer's being able to claim a fuel allowance.  How did you discover this?

https://www.caringtogether.org/help-advice/money-benefits/general-benefits