Carers Allowance

[Jemisa]

I have been disabled for approx 8 years (arthritis in lower back and hips) I get the lower grade Attendance allowance. Today a young man from the Pensions & Social Security calls to tell my husband he is entitled to 'Carers Allowance' we knew nothing about this, Why don't doctors or nurses or even the Pension office tell people? We have missed out on 8 years payments. the government has done well out of the likes of us.
Soo people if you're in a similar situation its worth Asking. They might well say Yes.

jem

[bednobs]

hi because docotr and nurses don't work in the benefits office. benefits entitlements are always changing, so it's impossible for them to keep up i would have thought. Just like you wouldn't expect a benefits advisor to give you medical advice i suppose!

There have been loads of adverts over the last 8 years for people to check their benefits entitlements as so much just goes unclaimed. I suppose that people are expected to take some initiative and find out for themselves if they are entitled to stuff - there are also many websites which can calculate benefits entitlements. As far as i remember, when i applied for DLA (the under 64 year old version of AA) there was a leaflet in there about carers allowance and who was entitled

[DEN53]

Jem - my Dad was told he could get this Carer's Allowance, but after filling out lengthy forms - he was told he did'nt qualify, because he gets pension credit.

[Jemisa]

Bednobs. We had no idea about a carers allowance so why should we look for one.
Yes I've seen ads on TV about what one may be entitled to but never ever counted myself as one of 'Those' so never followed it thro by online methods or any other.
Mainly because I already have an allowance so why would I want to look.
Den. The guy who came said it was in the bag. perhaps your dad should apply again.

jem

[bednobs]

sorry, i always seem to sound like i'm critisizing you and i don't mean to. I am nice really :) The reason benefits remain unclaimed is because people think the same and think they wont qualify. Didi you not recieve the CA leaflet witht he aa forms?

[Unsureme]

If you do get Carers Allowance your Attendance Allowance will be reduced,watch what you are doing.

[treetops1]

http://www.direct.gov...eymatters/dg_10012522

[boxtops]

Glad you have found out now, at least, Jemisa, so can claim now. I am sure this is why so many thousands of pounds go unclaimed - people don't realise they are eligible and the benefits system is so complex, it's not surprising that people don't know - or don't like to ask, in case they are turned down. We asked ourselves about Working Tax Credits the other day - we find that we're not eligible as we don't qualify because I earn, but it was worth asking, at least we know the criteria now!

[Jemisa]

Lets remember they saught us out we didn't apply, The guy said it had come up on their computer in the Pensions Office. Knew all our details and its a new government policy for them to seek people out (us in this case) Explained we wouldn't get full payment ( £53) because of the lower att allowance I already get, but are entitled to lower rate (£30) carers allowance.If this hadn't happened we would still be ignorant of things
Its cost us over the years a lot of money because i'm disabled, A move to a bungalow,, change of car, mobility scooter, refit bathroom into shower room. Soo this little bit of money will help a lot.

Thankyou all for your reply's.

jem

[TCL-MUMPING]

I think some folk are getting their wires crossed here. Carer’s Allowance (CA) is paid to someone looking after another person who is themsel getting either Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Attendance Allowance (AA). The award of CA does not reduce the other person’s DLA or AA.

What is being talked about here is Pension Credit and the extra allowance payable because one of them is getting Carer’s Allowance. It is the extra that will be paid on top of the current award of Pension Credit so no-one will be any worse off by its being claimed

Disabled folk on Income Support or Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance can also get an increase but THEY would lose that increase if someone else was getting Carer’s Allowance for looking after them.

[Jemisa]

You know your stuff TCL, Thats exactly what the man from the pensions office said.

Thanks for your imput.

jem

[bestdriver]

Carers allowance is payable to people who look after somebody who gets the middle or higher rate of DLA and uses at least 35 hours of there time to help. The other thing to watch is if the carer is on any benefits, say Income Support, the £53 is automatically deducted from this benefit. Beware...

[TCL-MUMPING]

bestdriver, although Carer’s Allowance (CA) is taken into account as income, a Carer Premium of £30.05 is added to the Income Support (IS). That means that although the IS is reduced by £23.85 (£30.05 added, £53.90 taken off) between the two benefits, the person is still £30.05 better off.

[Jemisa]

Exactly.-- -- Thankyoooo!

jem

[Old Salt]

Your post is a bright bit of news jemisa

I have a 46 year old severely autisic son. A few years ago my wife became unable to walk more than a couple of dozen feet, so I have to do everything for her.

The various agencies and support groups try to help and continually tell me of things I 'should' be eligible to receive. But, as another poster said, "Fill out lengthy forms," which are really 'hard work' and seem to drain me, only to find out a few weeks later, "Your application does not meet acceptable criteria" And it always makes me feel like I am trying to get some to which I shouldn't have.

One thing is for sure, I want to keep my family together, but, over the last few years my arthritis has begun to really make it difficult for me to keep going.

And, at my age, it won't be very long until I have to ask for someone to take care of me........but.............I fully intend to delay that as long as humanly possible.

Good luck to you and yours, you certainly have brightened my day

A question to everyone, "Why can't we get the Thousands of Pounds of support, like many of the illegal residents are able to receive?" My wife and I worked very hard all our lives and sometimes we feel like we are not even part of this new-England society.

Old Salt

[factor-fiction]

why is vivegene introducing spam into a serious thread. Reported

[Jemisa]

Factor30 -- I can't make out what you mean my love.☺

Old Salt, -- Glad to help. and I agree whole heartedly with your last paragraph.

jem