Carers entitlement

[Pussycatlover]

My mum has Carers come in three times a day. Am I entitled to carers allowance.

I earn less than £120 p week.

[sassy59]

Hello Pussycatlover, I would check out the Gov.uk website which explains everything about Carers Allowance and you can fill in the forms online too.

Hope that helps. Good luck. Xxx

[Hidden]

Hi Pussycatlover,

I see you've just joined our Care Community, so a very warm welcome to you. Sadly there isn't a simple, few word reply that can answer your question.

Sassy59 has rightly said that all the information you need to claim this Allowance is available on the GovUK website and you can, as she says, put in your claim there online.

But whether you succeed or not depends on many individual circumstances and although the forms to claim don't set out to be difficult, it's sometimes challenging to fill them in on your own without some knowledgeable input.

So I'd suggest downloading them from the site to fill out yourself, and have someone with a bit of knowledge about Carers Allwance help fill them in or to at least run their eye over them so that you don't inadvertently cause yourself pitfalls. If you don't personally know of anyone, the Citizen's Advice Bureau is a fount of knowledge and would guide you through this.

Best wishes and best of luck.

[Pussycatlover in reply to Hidden]

Looked on the website does not cover that issue I’m afraid. Thank you anyway.

[Hidden]

Hi Pussylover.

I think you may not have looked fully enough. The site won't tell you if you can claim, but will enable you to make a claim.

On the homepage of gov.uk (that's the first page which will show up when you access that web address), the very first sub heading you can see is 'Benefits'. If you click on that, you will be offered another list list which again starts 'Benefits'. Don't click on 'Benefits'. Look down the list and you'll see, just a little further down, in the same side list of headings 'Disabled people'. That's the one to click on.

When you do that, a heading on the right is a 'Disabled people' heading, and an A-Z list of various benefits, starting with 'Benefits and financial help'. Below that is 'Carers', and, again, this is the one you are looking for. Click on that heading, and the next list that will come up will be Carer's Allowance. If you are able to do a print out, it's possible to get the complete guide to look at, away from your computer. That option is at the bottom of the list.

But, if you want to proceed now, online, look below the 'Carers' Allowance' headline and you will see one of the sub-headings says 'Make a claim'. Click on that one and finally you are there. You will see a list of things you need to have handy to make the claim and when you have those close by you, then simply click the big green 'APPLY NOW' button.

Sorry this is so many clicks and presses. The GovUK website is huge, and covers a vast amount of information on many topics. For the less computer savvy it can seem a little bit daunting, but if you can either print off this reply to you, or write down the various buttons you need to press, and go through it, step by step, you will get there eventually.

Best wishes.

[Pussycatlover in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply but I am not going to make a claim if I do not meet the criteria. I cannot see anywhere about carers coming in. All I can see is how much you are allowed to earn and how many hours you have to look after the person etc. Thank you though.

[XSitch38]

Hi pussycatlover. My mom has 35 hours care through direct payments and we employ a PA to help me which is similar to an agency coming in. If you are providing more than 35 hours per week yourself and earn less than £120 I feel sure you should meet the criteria. As Sassy59 said, I think your best port of call is Citizens Advice. I recently spoke to them on the phone and they were wonderful, so much so that I sent them a donation. Dont feel intimidated by asking if you can claim, they are on your side. If you are caring for someone then you are doing an amazing job, and deserve some recognition for your gift to that person. Good luck and go for it.

[Angie06]

Hi, does your mum claim Attendance Allowance as it quite a considerable amount and should go a long way to cover her care whether by yourself or carers.

[lKeith]

Pussycatlover

Hi, I assume your mother pays for the carers or they are provided as care in the community.

Try contacting Dept of work & pensions or your local palliative care team they may have some pointers.

I rather think that that you are at the top end of income (Means tested) to receive any carers allowance.

IKeith

[Pussycatlover in reply to lKeith]

I only earn £110 p week which is below the set amount allowed p week.

So I don’t think I can be. She does pay a contribution toward her care.

[lKeith in reply to Pussycatlover]

Pussycatlover

Hi, then give it a go contact Dept of work & pensions & Palliative team the outcome may be good for both of you.

Good luck

IKeith

[Flowers_roses]

Hi Pussycatlover. I understand Age Uk will come to your home and help you fill in any relevant forms regarding Carers Allowance.

Hope this is helpful. xx