need advice for DLA lower rate carer for my father

acharris

Hi all, I need some advice. My father has been on DLA with higher rate mobility for the last 14 years due to have 2 badly damaged discs in his back from working down the pits and an injury. The last couple of years his back has gotten a lot worse and somedays he needs me to drive him or left stuff for him, as his back don't allow him to bend to good, or sometimes get his socks off as he cant bend.

I am claiming JSA due to becoming unemployed about 18 months ago, and I am always under pressure to find full time work, instead of part time work as per my JSA agreement. But I think that would be hard, as my mother is also claiming DLA with Higher rate mobilty and can't always help my father when i am not there and also she can't drive.

What I am looking at is as follows:

1) if my father claims the lower rate carer, as I think there is no way he could get middle to higher rate as he can bath, groom and do everything like that himself, he just get trouble lifting, driving or removing socks or tracksuit bottoms, what are the requirements for this???

2) If my father claimed the lower rate carer, would I be the one classed as looking after him and if so, could I claim IS then, as I would be the one looking after him or not.

I ask as I know 2 people who is claiming carers allowance, and to be honest, they are able to do everything like bend, lift everything themselves much better than my father, and my father is genuine and is is afraid that if he trys he would be turned down and his current DLA would be affected.

Any help would be appreciated, as the JSA is doing my head in trying to balance helping my family and look for work and deal with them. Thanks.

Anthony

dmg24

Hi Anthony,

Carers Allowance can only be claimed for someone who is in receipt of DLA at middle or higher personal care rate. Sorry x