claiming carers allowance from is
Hi, im currently on is & am having to go on jsa feb march of next year. I have been unsuccessful in claiming dla for my son, but have been advised to try claim carers allowance (as I look after my ill dad). Can anyone tell me, if I claim carers, do I still get any is, I know that I wont be on jsa but just curious. Thanks
Thanks Louise, I will check that out.
Hi mickey - what Louise has explained is correct. If you are receiving Carer's Allowance, you will remain on Income Support until your youngest child reaches 16. It is definately worth discussing with your father what benefits he is receiving, as they could be affected if you claim Carer's Allowance. Here is a really straight forward fact sheet which might give you a little more info:
http://www.opfs.org.uk/files/pubs/fs_carers-allowance_200905.pdf
Hope this is of some use.
Sally C :)
Hi - question for Sally C! I know I've been pretty absent again recently and when I outline my question, you'll probably understand why!! My 10 year old daughter has just had major brain surgery for a tumour which turned out to be malignant, therefore we have a long haul of radio and chemotherapy ahead of us - the prognosis is good, though - it hadn't spread and children with this sort of brain tumour apparently are usually cured. I was obviously completely devastated at first - I'm coping now, okay, so don't worry about me, folks!! The advice I've had from the ClicSargent Social Worker assigned to me was to get signed off by my GP with 'stress' to preserve not only my earned income (well, for the first 5 months anyway, then it goes down to half pay!) but my child and working tax credits as well. She says she will guide me through claiming DLA and carer's allowance as well - which parents in my position with this sort of diagnosis apparently usually get. Does claiming DLA / carer's allowance affect my tax credits or anything? Got to be practical! Fi x
Hi ficurnow
I am so sorry to hear about your daughter. What an awful shock for you all. I'm really pleased that the prognosis is good. I wish her well, and send loads and loads of hugs to you both.
Take care
Alison
x :)
What an awful shock for you.
I'm stunned you haven't received the DLA, I'm sure with the help of Clic though that an appeal can be submitted.
My very best wishes
Hi Fi – thanks very much for getting in touch. I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter, but I’m also glad to hear that the prognosis is good. I’m sure I speak for everyone on One Space when I say that we’re all sending lots of hugs your way, to you and your daughter.
I’ll try to answer some of your questions, and I hope it helps a little:
DLA is not means-tested, and doesn’t count as part of your taxable income. However, it does affect your child tax credits, but normally for the better. There is a ‘child disability element’, which is, minimum, approximately £45 per week extra. If your daughter is on high-rate DLA, there is also a ‘severe disability element’ which is approximately an extra £20 per week on top again.
With regards to claiming DLA, your daughter needs to have been cared for 3 months prior to the claim, and should expect to need 6 months of care after the claim is put in. It’s good to hear that you have some support in putting your claims through, but if you want anymore info about DLA, this might help:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DG_10011731
If you do get DLA it will be backdated to the date you put in your claim.
Regarding Carer’s Allowance, there are certain criteria you need in place in order to claim it, which are that:
· your daughter is receiving the higher or middle rate care component of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance
· you spend 35 hours a week or more looking after your daughter
· you are not in full-time education
· you earn less than £95 a week
For more info see this link: http://www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk/1/lx3x1olx10x1olx103x1oix3089x1/0/0/150409/0/0//carers-allowance.htm
If you are eligible for Carer’s Allowance, it is means-tested, and is counted as taxable income, so you will have to declare the amount and it will affect your tax credits. However, I will presume that the tax credits you are currently receiving are based on the tax year 2008-9? If this is case, as it normally is, then your tax credits for the rest of this financial year will not be affected by you claiming Carer’s Allowance. The tax credits will only be affected in the financial year 2010-2011, as they will take into account the money you have received this year through Carer’s Allowance.
So, it does affect your tax credits, but you will only be in receipt of Carer’s Allowance for part of this tax year, so the affect on your credits next year probably won’t be massive. Along with DLA, you will probably be OK and won’t be worse off.
Do you have any other children? The reason I mention it is that if you do, you might be getting help with childcare as part of the tax credit system. Your ability to get help with childcare this way is dependent on your income, but do note that if you are eligible, you are still allowed help with childcare costs for your other children, even though you will be off sick and looking after your 10 year-old daughter.
It’s all a bit confusing getting all the info across online, so I do hope I’m making some sense. It often helps to be able to talk through everything, and I must say that the advisers on the One Parent Families helpline are incredibly helpful, here is their number: 0800 018 5026. There’s normally a slight wait to speak to an adviser, but it’s worth holding on as they are very knowledgeable and friendly, and will go through all the financial stuff with you.
If you have more questions, or want anything clarifying from what I’ve said already, please do get in touch again.
Sending lots of positivity your way, good luck with the claims, and I hope your daughter gets well soon.
Sally C :)
This article might interest those of you who are carers
Hello mickey, good to see you! :)
Sally C is our benefits guru and will be along in a few days to clarify the answer to your question but as a geenral comment I can say that if you want to claim carer's allowance then the ill person must be getting either Attendance Allowance or The Disability Living Allowance care component at the middle or higher rate. You should spend at least 35 hours per week caring for the person. Also if your dad is getting something called the " Severe disability premium" as part of his income (if he is claiming Income Support, Housing benefit or Council Tax benefit) then he will lose this entitlement if you get carer's allowance.
HOWEVER it looks to me as if whether you get the carer's allowance or not, if the person you care for receives the benefits mentioned above then you can still claim Income Support regardless of the age of your children. You need to check with your dad first (he will have a letter outlining what he gets) then with the local Job Centre
best wishes
Louise