Caring-what/how might I claim, please?

skintcarer

Hello, seeking some advice please. For about 2 1/2 years now I have given up working to care for someone with multiple sclerosis who is on Benefit (IS) including Higher Level DLA and Mobility, and still living in their own home. During this time I have been living on savings which are now totally depleted and I've run into serious, worsening debt.
I know I can't claim JSA as I am not available for work. Is there anything else to help me in this situation, please? Another fly in the ointment is that I do have some heavily mortgaged property which I was hoping would help me in retirement, but currently this produces little or no income. Will I be expected to dispose of what little pension nest-egg I have (I'm male and 60 next birthday) before I can get help? I've seen exceptions mentioned but don't know what they are.
I pay a mortgage and council tax on my own home where I live alone.
I'd be grateful for any advice you can give. Thanks, Skintcarer.

lil_me

If the person receives higher rate care you can claim carers allowance for them, but, if they receive the severe disability premium on their IS they would loose that. Carers allowance is not effected by income or savings, but it's only just over £50 a week.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/MoneyMatters/DG_10012522

Savings etc effect other benefits like Income Support, Council Tax benefit etc. It might be worth contacting your local Carer's Centre who can usually advise on benefits, alternative care if you need to return to employment etc http://www.carers.org/ if you click on 'find your local centre' there should be one near you.

With regards to the property, you may be better asking on the houses buying/selling/renting area of the forum for advice on that.

dmg24

Do you have two properties, one buy to let and one residential?

If so, rent from the BTL will be classed as income, and I think the property will also be classed as capital (however I am not sure how they calculate this level of capital).

calleyw

lil_me wrote: »

Carers allowance is not effected by income or savings, but it's only just over £50 a week.

.

I think you will find that CA is effected by income. You can only earn up £92 a week after Tax and NI before you no longer qualify.

As I was told that I could CA for my husband after he came out of hospital but I knew I would not get it as I was earning to much. And he only got care lower rate.


Yours


Calley

skintcarer

Thanks for the help so far.
Can anyone tell me what the criteria/rules are regarding property assets/income in means testing, please? I could do with knowing exactly what counts and what doesn't. (All the info I can find isn't terribly helpful in this respect).
Alternatively is there a non means tested route (possibly via Carer's Allowance) to getting at least some help? Even just help with housing/council tax costs would be a welcome contribution.
Living on fresh air alone ( I've paid my own way for 2 1/2 years) just isn't possible and surely I'm not expected to cash in my pension property just to exist now and then be a burden to the state in old age? If it was invested with a company or a SIP it wouldn't be taken into account would it? Any creative suggestions very welcome no matter how convoluted or bizarre !!
Thanks,
Skintcarer

dmg24

calleyw wrote: »

I think you will find that CA is effected by income. You can only earn up £92 a week after Tax and NI before you no longer qualify.

As I was told that I could CA for my husband after he came out of hospital but I knew I would not get it as I was earning to much. And he only got care lower rate.


Yours


Calley

You are correct, CA is means tested. Unfortunately you would not have qualified anyway as DLA must be in receipt at middle or higher care rate x

dmg24

skintcarer wrote: »

Thanks for the help so far.
Can anyone tell me what the criteria/rules are regarding property assets/income in means testing, please? I could do with knowing exactly what counts and what doesn't. (All the info I can find isn't terribly helpful in this respect).
Alternatively is there a non means tested route (possibly via Carer's Allowance) to getting at least some help? Even just help with housing/council tax costs would be a welcome contribution.
Living on fresh air alone ( I've paid my own way for 2 1/2 years) just isn't possible and surely I'm not expected to cash in my pension property just to exist now and then be a burden to the state in old age? If it was invested with a company or a SIP it wouldn't be taken into account would it? Any creative suggestions very welcome no matter how convoluted or bizarre !!
Thanks,
Skintcarer

If you go to the DWP website, then click on Advisers and look at the Decision Makers Guide, it will give you the technical information you are looking for there.

Considering the current housing market and your age, do you really want to keep a heavily mortgaged property?

Edit: Have edited my text because I can't get it to make sense! Will add t again when I'm mor awake ... x

lil_me

Sorry I mean't as long as the income for the claimant was under the limit, income from property doesn't usually count, as the OP said they were not working I went on auto pilot, one of those morning posts where you know what you want to say but the words don't come out.

IF you contacted welfare rights they would be able to advise properly with the figures you have when it comes to capital/property etc.

calleyw

dmg24 wrote: »

Unfortunately you would not have qualified anyway as DLA must be in receipt at middle or higher care rate x

Yes that is why I put he only got lower rate so I knew better on both counts than the hospital social worker.

My husband was on a stroke ward so I suspected they where use to dealing with older patients and they assumed he would get at least middle rate care DLA.

Yours


Calley

calleyw

dmg24 wrote: »

If you go to the DWP website, then click on Advisers and look at the Decision Makers Guide, it will give you the technical information you are looking for there. However, I have no doubt that they would allow you to keep a second property and not class the rent as income (after expenses), or the property itself as capital (unless you are in negative equity).

Considering the current housing market and your age, do you really want to keep a heavily mortgaged property?

Are you sure, personally I would have thought rental income would have counted as it is taxable as it is a regular income. And not something like div's from shares or from savings that are sporadic. And for most people amounts to a couple of hundred pounds.

Can the OP not claim Income Support and help things such a council tax on there own home.

More info here for carers with financial help.

Yours

Calley

dmg24

calleyw wrote: »

Are you sure, personally I would have thought rental income would have counted as it is taxable as it is a regular income. And not something like div's from shares or from savings that are sporadic. And for most people amounts to a couple of hundred pounds.

Can the OP not claim Income Support and help things such a council tax on there own home.

More info here for carers with financial help.

Yours

Calley

Sorry, I missed out a word! I put 'would not allow' originally and then deleted it as a double negative! I think I need some sleep! x

Still can't phrase it properly - going to sleep for a while and I'll change it later. But I meant the opposite of what I said! x