Carers entitlement

[Pussycatlover]

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

I earn below a £120 p week.

[Bella395]

gov.uk/carers-allowance

[Pussycatlover in reply to Bella395]

Thank you. Looked at this already and does not cover my question I’m afraid.

[Bella395 in reply to Pussycatlover]

Why does this not answer your question? The information in the link is quite clear on eligibility of the person who needs care and the person who provides it:

1. The person who needs care:

Eligibility

The person you care for must already get one of these benefits:

Personal Independence Payment - daily living component

Disability Living Allowance - the middle or highest care rate

Attendance Allowance

Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

Constant Attendance Allowance at the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension

Armed Forces Independence Payment

2. The person who provides the care:

Eligibility

You must earn no more than £120 a week after tax and expenses. Expenses can include:

50% of your pension contributions

some of the costs of caring for your children or the disabled person while you’re at work

All of the following must also apply:

you’re 16 or over

you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone

you’ve been in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years (this doesn’t apply if you’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection status)

you normally live in England, Scotland or Wales, or you live abroad as a member of the armed forces

you’re not in full-time education

you’re not studying for 21 hours a week or more

you’re not subject to immigration control

The three visits per day that she currently gets is not relevant to a claim for carer's allowance because this is awarded for care that you personally provide and it must be for a minimum of 35 hours per week. If you do provide this level of care than as you earn below £120 per week you would be eligible to claim carer's allowance. However, the person for whom you are caring has to be in receipt of the correct benefit and you should not be excluded due to any of the above-mentioned reasons (2). Also, only one person can claim carer's allowance so if someone else in the family is claiming it already, you would not be eligible.

[Pussycatlover in reply to Bella395]

Thank you. I did not realise the visits she gets is not relevant. Thank you for your help.

[Bella395 in reply to Pussycatlover]

It wasn’t clear from your post that you were asking whether three care visits per day excluded you from applying for carer’s allowance. It would only be an issue if one of those carers was already claiming the allowance for your relative.