My wife (carer) starts a part time job

joninprague

Hi All just a quick question please.

My wife has been my full time carer and receiving carers allowance for over 12 years. She has recently started as a teaching assistant in our local school 23 hours per week at the minimum wage.

This has massively effected all of our benefits which we new as she was over the limit for carers. we told them straight away so no issues there. she works mornings 5 days a week and really loves it however I still really need a little help for at least an hour or so everyday. We are in such a difficult position because she is really enjoying what she is doing and comes home with a smile on her face everyday. we have looked at the costs of getting someone to pop in everyday and its so expensive. she is now feeling really upset that she has made things worse.

when she sopped getting carers allowance it meant that although i was on income related ESA in the support group it has just gone to standard. i also get pip high rate in both and until 2027

I think the question is are we able to ask for some help for me from the council or will they just say that my wife should do it and stop working.

Its all very confusing as we have been on full benefits alone for over 10 years.

Thanks in advance

elsien

If you have a care needs assessment, the local authority could potentially arrange for care for you however it will be means tested. Or they could point you at private care agencies. 

No one has the right to tell your wife to stop work.

Some information about the financial  assessment here.
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/care/paying-for-care/financial-assessment/

You need to be aware that there is a bit of a social care crisis going on at the moment and there is likely to be a waiting list for non-priority assessments.

Brie

Have you checked if being on benefits entitles you to a reduction in council tax or to have social tariffs for utilities, phone, internet etc?

elsien

Also, maybe head over to the benefits board on this forum to see if there’s anything that you’ve missed.

HampshireH

Massive congratulations to your wife. It must have been really hard after so many years to put herself back out there into the market. It would have took a lot to have the confidence to do that.

I cannot help with the benefits side but it is lovely to read about someone who was able to get a job they love after so long.

Albermarle

we have looked at the costs of getting someone to pop in everyday and its so expensive. 

Depends on what you mean by expensive? £20 an hour via an agency?

As said the council should pay, if your assets are below a certain level.

joninprague

HampshireH said:

Massive congratulations to your wife. It must have been really hard after so many years to put herself back out there into the market. It would have took a lot to have the confidence to do that.

I cannot help with the benefits side but it is lovely to read about someone who was able to get a job they love after so long.

I am beyond proud of her. I love that she comes back with a smile everyday. 

Cyclamen

Hello

Your wifes wages make her inelligible for carers allowance but is she still a 'carer' outside the school hours.  Carers (unpai loved one type) can often have a job as well. 

 If she is still doing carer tasks it may be worth her asking for a carers assesment. This is different to assessing your needs as the cared for adult and is to support her.  So providing sme support so she feels able to continue working, or have leisure time.  Have a look at carers support website and your counties one as its often them who do the assessment.  In most (not all) counties the support to enable a carer to continue in their caring role is not means tested.

You could also look at an adult care needs assesment for yourself .. these are means assessed.. PIP daily living usually counts as income but should go off just your income.  

teddysmum

When I was working at a local college, I had a couple of mums doing my level 3 maths class (they did English too). This level is supposed to be equivalent to a low GCSE pass but staff at the college doubted this (All work is multiple choice or simple solution), so encouraged successful students took the in college GCSE courses which were/are?.

Both the ladies worked as classroom assistants at their daughters' primary schools, but the passes meant that they would get a qualification, meaning more pay and possible promotion.

Perhaps your wife would consider this ? Classes are free and held mainly in spare school rooms, at council owned premises or college outreach centres and offer daytime, evening and even Saturday morning classes. The exams, all on computer, can be taken as soon as a tutor feels a student is ready, so could take just a few weeks to achieve.