retired carers

Replies

By debzsanderson

Re: retired carers
Sat 6 Sep 2008 18:33

Hello Benita
I think it's wrong that when you reach "retirement" you no longer receive carers allowance - how do you "suddenly" become a "non-carer" overnight ?? I know the government top up pension contributions but to people on carer allowance/income support but I will still be a 24/7 carer and saving the government a lot of money in looking after my partner. Maybe things might change befor I get to retirement age but it's still frightening...........

debz xx

By mag

Re: retired carers
Sat 6 Sep 2008 18:52

Hello Benita

I had reached retirement age before I realised that what I had been doing for years meant I was a Carer , so like you - no Carers Allowance. No-one mentioned "hidden benefits" to me so I am wondering whether you have discovered what they are?

I also care for my husband.

Kind regards - Mag

By cracker

Re: retired carers
Sat 6 Sep 2008 20:08

This is an issue that has been raised often. The system has let us down badly. The whole point is a carer never retires. I n fact the older you get the harder it is to do the lifting etc that is part of our daily and often nightly routine. The allowance is a pittance for what we do in the first place,and then they have the nerve to take it away when you get a pension that you are entitled to. I worked from fifteen to fourty two and paid full stamp. I have saved the government thousands of pounds since then as have never asked for help or respite. There are thousands of carers out there who have done the same thing.This is an issue that we must keep on lobbying for.

By graham

Re: retired carers
Sun 7 Sep 2008 14:54

To try & answer your specific question Benita I rather think this ' hidden benefit' you refer to is what is known as the underlying entitlement to carers allowance.... If you receive certain other benefits including the State Pension which are paid at a rate that is the same or more than Carer's Allowance, you may not receive payment of Carer's Allowance but may have what is called an 'underlying entitlement'.

Payment of Carer's Allowance is taken into account in full in the calculation of income-related benefits and Pension Credit. However, if you receive Carer's Allowance or have underlying entitlement to it, you will qualify for the carer premium in Income Support and income-based Jobseekers' Allowance. The current rate is £27.75 per week.

If you get Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, the local council will include an amount for the carer premium when they work out how much Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit you can get. Claiming Carer's Allowance can also affect the amount of Pension Credit you receive. If you get Pension Credit, the amount used to work out how much you are entitled to is increased by £27.75.

I hope this information helps.....
Kind regards, Graham.