Hello - quick question about carers allowance

[MaggieP23]

Hello

New here so just having a look round. I wondered how many people get carers allowance. I don't at the moment but I wondered about applying for it as I look after my adult son (with LD). I struggle to work out what counts as 35 hours care. I have have to do most things for him but I hadn't really thought about this as caring before. He does go to a some day care - does that mean I am not able to claim CA (I don't go with him).

Thanks

Maggie

[49Twister]

Hi Maggie yes you should be receiving Carers allowance. I don’t know your situation, does he live with you? I was a single parent who had to give up my career to look after my son which meant I had to live on benefits. Although I claimed carers allowance I wasn’t financially better off but it did pay my national insurance which meant I would receive my full state pension, which I get now. If you are lucky enough to be working it would be some extra income which your entitled to so apply for it. If he lives with you your definitely caring for him a lot more than 35 hrs and I understand you don’t necessarily see yourself as a carer as your his mother, but you are, and saving the government lots of money!!

[MaggieP23 in reply to 49Twister]

Thanks for this. He does live with me. I do work part time, but money is very tight. I hadn't thougth about national insurance - that is a really good point. I think you are right about the 35 hours - I probably just need to make a list and it will soon add up.

I also found the page on Carers UK very helpful. It suggests the Turn2us website which I liked.

You are also right about saving the Gov't money. If I wasn't here he'd need a lot of support that someone would have to pay for.

Thanks again for your kind words.

[49Twister in reply to MaggieP23]

35 hours isn't a lot at all Maggie if he lives with you, the fact that he sleeps there every night in a safe environment surely counts, your making his meals, the fact that your there means your supporting him and keeping him safe. I don't know what benefits your son receives they are all different, my son receives ESA in support group and PIP enhanced rate for care and mobility. If you have a carers centre in your area I would recommend giving them a visit they are a great help.

[BenjiB]

Is your son in receipt of The care component of PIP. If he does you can claim carers allowance. If you do most things for him and he lives with you, you’ll definitely be notching up 35 hours.

[MaggieP23 in reply to BenjiB]

Thank you. He doesn't get the care component - it would have been handy if I had automatically qualified. 35 hours seems alot when I started looking at this, but reading this description of what counts I am sure I qualify. It seems odd to think it all counts as caring, but I need they money. It will really help.

[BenjiB in reply to MaggieP23]

If he doesn’t get the care component of PIP I dint think you qualify for carers allowance.

[Sarah_Mencap in reply to BenjiB]

I think you are are right BenjiB .

MaggieP23 it would be worth calling our helpline so you can get some more advice about this - 0808 808 1111

or email [e-mail].

It might be worth your son applying for PIP if you haven't already.

Best wishes

Sarah

[BenjiB in reply to MaggieP23]

carersuk.org/help-and-advic...

[Head_cook]

Another thing to consider with carers allowance is that your earnings are limited. Your allowed to earn before expenses

You can qualify for Carer's Allowance whether you are in or out of work, but you must not earn more than £123 a week. Carer's Allowance does not depend on national insurance contributions and is not means-tested – in other words not based on your personal income or savings – but earnings may affect your entitlement.

You can claim Tax Credits too to boost your income

Or give up work and claim all benefits council tax etc