Widowers pension and carers allowance

mpm0180

I’d like to know what effect having a carer can have on a widowers pension. I was told at the time of my father passing that if my mum has a carer it will affect the amount of pension she receives. I always thought this was unfair that money would be deducted from my mums pension if somebody else is claiming carers allowance. I understand that receiving a widowers pension and also receiving carers allowance are overlapping benefits if the widower is also the actual carer for somebody else so I’m wondering if I was misinformed. My sister is currently out of work and I believe her best option would be to apply for carers allowance. My mum receives a widowers pension and is also registered disabled for which she receives the higher rate of DLA. I would like to know if my sister applies for carers allowance would this affect the amount of pension my mum receives?

marcia_

mpm0180 said:

I’d like to know what effect having a carer can have on a widowers pension. I was told at the time of my father passing that if my mum has a carer it will affect the amount of pension she receives. I always thought this was unfair that money would be deducted from my mums pension if somebody else is claiming carers allowance. I understand that receiving a widowers pension and also receiving carers allowance are overlapping benefits if the widower is also the actual carer for somebody else so I’m wondering if I was misinformed. My sister is currently out of work and I believe her best option would be to apply for carers allowance. My mum receives a widowers pension and is also registered disabled for which she receives the higher rate of DLA. I would like to know if my sister applies for carers allowance would this affect the amount of pension my mum receives?

 If someone is granted carers allowance to care for the pip/AA claimant their means tested premium will be taken away which will reduce their means tested benefits 

Brie

It was my understanding that these are 2 separate things given that it's sister that gets the carer's allowance and mom that gets the widower's pension.  It would be different perhaps if mom was getting a widower's pension and caring for someone else.  Sometimes in those circumstances a decision must be made what's the best benefit to take.  

And again - what type of widower's pension is mom receiving?  If it's from a private/occupational pension that will be treated differently than if it's something paid by the government.  

If sis is getting UC and then applies for carer's that will possibly affect her benefits.

Again - best to check on these things.  

sheramber

Does any of this apply

https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/effect-on-other-benefits

Effect on the benefits of the person you care for

When you get Carer’s Allowance, the person you care for will usually stop getting:

• a severe disability premium paid with their benefits
• an extra amount for severe disability paid with Pension Credit

You can check if their severe disability payment will stop by contacting whoever pays this benefit. This is usually Jobcentre Plus, their local council, the Pension Service Helpline or Universal Credit.

They might also stop getting reduced Council Tax. Contact their local council to find out if this affects them.