disabled and a carer

[jacksie]

If you are disabled claiming benefits can you also be a carer for someonelse.I heard of a person caring for her elderly father while on highest award of disability,is this true and is it the same as carers allowance.Love to all fibro sufferersx

[Gailbt]

Good question, an answer I am interested as I too am a carer for my ill Mother. xx

[josie46]

If your disabled claiming benefits then you cannot be a carer for someone who has ill health, they have changed the rules.

[missymoo123]

You used to be able to. My husband recieves DLA, and is my carer. He is as disabled as I am. I cannot claim carers allowance as I recieve Incapacity benefit.

[fibro]

I'm not trying to mock the question, as I too don't know the answer but I do know I get low rate care and am too scared to apply for any more as you know what it's like they may decide I can't have any although it's a life award, I wouldn't be fit enough to care for anyone else, so how could one get paid to look after the other,

interesting though and will be watching for other member's replies xxx

[hugosmum70]

am not sure about this. as missymoo says. you did use to be able to. it was a question i remember posing when i was doing some disability rights courses some years ago.and the answer then was yes. i have heard this is going to change but am not aware that it has as yet. i know my sis & her OH are both on higher rate DLA and he gets carers for her since she had a stroke 5 years ago. she hasn't said whether they've received any letters telling them any different yet and i feel sure she would have if they had done so.

[SootyB]

It sounds at first look like you shouldn't be able to - if you need care yourself, then how can you be someone else's carer? - but I suppose someone who had high-rate mobility could look after someone with high-rate care. Legally, though, I'm not sure. It might be worthwhile checking the government website, or emailing them with the question.

Sara xx

[rosylyn]

hi i am on low care dla and i am a carer for my son i receive carers allowance.the lady at community law said i can still keep my carers if cant have been stopped as i rang them to let them know i was on low care. hope that helps.xx

[sue59]

I am on high dla and am a carer but receive no financial gain as I receive other benefits. I have my mum who lives with me and make her meals do her washing etc when I am feeling ok. We struggle as I have just had a flare up and been in and out of bed for 5 days. So it is just snacks I can't cook as I am too sick. Everything else just gets left until I feel better. It's all a big joke really as we both need help but the cost is too much. We need all the money just to pay the bills, as I still have a mortgage! Sorry went off on one but it angers me so much that we are all scared we are conning the system. I would give anything to be fit and not have to claim and I am positive 100% of you feel the same.

[jacksie]

sue,i feel for you a lot of people may say your not entitled because you cook and so-on.Being on highest level your not supost to be able to do all that,if i attempt anything such as housework or anything strenuous i go down like a sack of spuds but hey! i'm not judging you i bet you have to force yourself to do most of that.Yes you are entitled as far as i am concerned.I think you in worse position than me,don't know what to say ,have you tried asking CAB at least it goes no further than them unless you want it to.Wish could be more help,love jacksiex ps do keep in touchx