Question about Carers Allowance

Replies

By booglebum

Re: Question about Carers Allowance
Wed 13 Jun 2007 09:14

hiya keith,

i would be fed up too if it were me, it is sick wot they consider who should get wot.

maybe you can contact your nearest carers association and ask for a respite grant or holiday grant to give your
self and your wife a break, i know thats only a one off break but its something to consider. i was offered one and didnt take it as i was worried how the person i cared for would cope, but there are times i wished i took it just to get some me time.
it adds to stress when we have to worry so much about money on top of everyone else, my partner works full time and by the time we have paid rent ct utility bills we have very little left, we worked out that my sis that gets benefits is actually better of than us a family of four, it makes me sick. good luck and i hope you and your wife get some much needed sleep and support.

lucy.

By cuesy

Re: Question about Carers Allowance
Wed 13 Jun 2007 17:45

The other thing that I have just realised as well is that because we are on Income Support as a couple we actually have our carers allowance deducted from our income support entitlement. This means we get a whopping £15 per week as a carers allowance!!!!
Shocking

By cuesy

Re: Question about Carers Allowance
Wed 13 Jun 2007 18:29

After checking through everything again I actually discovered that the FULL amount is actually taken away as income from our other benefits. So if I am right that means we are also in a boat where we get nothing at all for being carers
The more I am looking at this the more I get annoyed.

By CHERYL THE PERIL

Re: Question about Carers Allowance
Thu 14 Jun 2007 08:01

Hi cuesy
It is disgusting that you are so short of help financial and in support services.
If we want it to change sooner rather than much later we need to speak up.

So will you be sending this Carers Letter and Support Letter to Gordon Brown on the 21st June?
More people send it, more chance they'll take notice.
Love Cheryl x

By chelle

Re: Question about Carers Allowance
Fri 15 Jun 2007 11:45

Hi cuesy,
i can completely understand where your coming from i am in the sort of same situation but i am looking after my mum, i've jus turned 20 and have been caring for her since i was 16 i havent recieved any form of financial or physical support so i can understand the stress and strain this must be having on both you and your partner. it cant be easy when you have other children to look after aswell.
chelle x

By virginia

Re: Question about Carers Allowance
Fri 15 Jun 2007 20:52

it,s so unfair deffo,when i was caring for son and hubby it was really tough and were on income support too,yet a year earlier i got carers allowance worked part time and hub had a good wage, it didn,t make sense and i felt really penalised , it,s not enough anyway but to take it as income and deduct from benefit is a joke, it was a real struggle, without support of mum we,d have lost house as mortgage not insured !! no advice really just remeber family fund they will give help with stuff . love Virginia x

By Cadge

Re: Question about Carers Allowance
Mon 18 Jun 2007 22:37

I care for my 87 year old Mother. Be careful when considering applying for Carer's Allowance. I was positively encouraged by the DWP to make an application when I made some tenative enquiries. In fact I had decided not to apply, but following a telephone call from them I did send in an application. It transpired that as I had paid Class II NI contributions whilst working, I was entitled to £3.25 p/w. However, I have now received notification that my Mother's Pension Credit has been reduced by nearly £50 p/w because I am receiving £3.25 p/w Carer's Allowance!! This can't be right! and I have asked to be removed as a Carer. I will care for my Mother anyway as I always have done, so it won't make any difference whether I am registered as her Carer or not. Cadge