Pension Credit and Carer of Disabled Proof

roy_harper

Hi, I've become a pensioner on pension credit, so my carer's allowance has stopped.  I used to have a letter proving I'm a carer for my disabled adult daughter who is on full PIP, but now I don't I'm wondering how I prove I'm a carer of my disabled daughter at venues please?

elsien

For what reason do you need to prove you are a carer?

When I used to work with people with disabilities, any  proof that they needed support came from them (e.g. high rate PIP letters)  and it didn’t have to be a specific named person. 

So I’m not sure why you think you need a letter specifically identifying you as a carer?  It should be enough for your daughter just to show she needs the help e.g if its carer goes free. Venues just want to check entitlement, they really don’t care who the person is.

Muttleythefrog

roy_harper said:

Hi, I've become a pensioner on pension credit, so my carer's allowance has stopped.  I used to have a letter proving I'm a carer for my disabled adult daughter who is on full PIP, but now I don't I'm wondering how I prove I'm a carer of my disabled daughter at venues please?

This will surely come down to the venues who will all operate their own policies and quite probably with very poorly educated staff regarding benefits and related evidence. In my experience most have no evidence requirements to be considered a carer and if evidence has been asked for it has related to the cared for person (so PIP evidence for example) rather than the carer who may have no formal way to show what they do. CEA cards for cinemas another good example where they're only interested in the disabled person to issue a card... not the carer although it is the carer who will get in free. Rarely for places will a carer need to be specified and I've never experience it... in fact embarrassingly on my last venture out to a local venue the staff assumed some stranger in the ticket office queue was my carer and they nearly ended up getting in free... got a few evil looks from the boyfriend after suggesting she'd be a good replacement for my current one.

But ultimately the venues are king on this... ask them as relevant and preferably in writing. I would keep a scan/photo of her latest PIP statement of entitlement document on your phones or in hard copy as a precaution in case required when out and about particularly if ad-hoc activities are possible.

Cyclamen

If you google your county and carer support .. your local carers group should come up.  They usually offer a 'carers emergency card'  this may have different names.  My husband carries one for home its so that if something happens there is a phone number and code number that allows emergency services to find out my care needs and check on me.  But is also very useful as carers ID when out.  This is free.

There are various paid schemes your daughter could sign up to and get a card that shows she needs the support of a carer when out.  I have recently got an access card, but there is a charge. It asks for evidence before allocating any category of support but for example there are categories for +1, wheelchair user, troubling standing in queues, sensory issues, urgent toilet needs etc..  I was trying to get the free one to use at a specific attraction but had clicked wrong so paid £10 (i think ) for three years. 

Most places accept PIP as evidence for needing a carers support.  But in the last few years I have seen places stating various things for 'evidence of paid carer' or 'registered carer' in order to access discounts.    Even my employed PA's now carry ID or a payslip although i am rarely asked.