Carers Allowance

sogs

Hi does anyone know if you can claim carers allowance when receiving invalidity benefit and dla, i still have to care for my autistic son but not sure if i could get carers allowance.

thanks

Hapless_2

Does your son get DLA care middle rate or above? If so then yes.

sogs

Hi yes my son get high mobility and middle care, but i wasnt sure if i could claim carers allowance as i get incapacity benefit and dla for myself??

thanks

lil_me

If you get Incapacity you do not get the Carers Allowance paid to you but I believe you do get the NI credits and a premium is added if you are on Income Support.

From Welfare Rights Website, rules are the same but the rates have changed since this was written. I think the Carer Premium is now around £27, haven't got paperwork handy at the mo.

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Q. I care for and live alone with my disabled mother in her house. She has Attendance Allowance at the high rate. I have Incapacity Benefit in my own right of £95 weekly, this is my only income. I have no savings. I phoned my local Bnefits Agency to ask about Carers Allowance and was told that as I had Incapacity Benefit there was no point in me claiming, as I would not be paid any Carers Allowance. Is this correct?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]A. What the Benefit Agency is saying is correct. You are unable to be paid both of these benefits at the same time. However you should still claim Care Allowance, you will not receive payment, but you will be eligible for the Carer Premium in your Income Support applicable amount. This will mean that you could now have a claim for Income Support, as your income (£95) is now less than your new applicable amount (£108.30) which now includes the carer premium (£26.35). You should receive the difference of £13.30 per week in Income Support. Your mother should also seek advice about her Council Tax and other benefit entitlement[/FONT]