Very unfair that Carers Allowance is not paid to pensioners

Georgesgran

CA isn’t means tested (generally) Worried. I know of 2 very wealthy people who have received it - one using it to pay his wife’s carer for a days work.

I was turned down x2, but that’s a different story.

Try getting it if your income is more than £151 a week, even by a penny and you won't get it.

What this post has revealed is that it’s all way, way too complicated for most normal people to negotiate. A sceptic might say that’s on purpose, but goodness knows how much it costs in Government employees trying to sort out claims.

Not fit for purpose.

Im so sorry you’ve got this additional worry on top of caring for you husband, Primrose.💐

Always claim AA for someone who is paying the full rate in a care home. It helps offset the cost, just a bit. 🤏

Attendance allowance is not means tested. We don't claim benefits, but still got it.

www.ageuk.org.uk/siteassets/documents/information-guides/ageukig52_carers_allowance_inf.pdf

This puts it even more clearly

Georgesgran

CA isn’t means tested (generally) Worried. I know of 2 very wealthy people who have received it - one using it to pay his wife’s carer for a days work.

I was turned down x2, but that’s a different story.

I think it is a bit misleading to say CA is not means-tested.

www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/eligibility
For full details, this is the government info.

I am sorry to hear about your situation. My husband had cancer and died in january. He had attendance allowance for about a year. He also had marie curie carers, who were wonderful. Not sure if that was because if palliative care tho. Why not ask Age Uk, they can help with forms as well.

CA isn’t means tested (generally) Worried. I know of 2 very wealthy people who have received it - one using it to pay his wife’s carer for a days work.

I was turned down x2, but that’s a different story.

Pamela contact AgeUk.

I was wondering how you were getting on Primrose. Sadly it seems not very well. Did you sort out your husband’s bathing regime.
Thank you for this thread, my DM is coming to live with us and now I won’t bother to consider carers allowance as I too am a pensioner. I will follow up on the attendance allowance though. I am hoping to avoid paying VAT on the walk in bath and alterations to fit it in our shower room.

You don't have to give up paid work to get CA. You just have to have an income below a certain amount.

theworriedwell

I don't understand why people keep posting about attendance allowance. The OP is questioning why she, as a carer, can't get carers allowance. Attendance allowance would be something her husband can claim for himself but why shouldn't she get something as a carer that is paid to carers?

When Carer's Allowance was introduced, its express purpose was to compensate those who had to give up paid employment to care for someone.

To change the principal of Carers Allowance to a new one where its purpose is to reward anyone who needs to care for someone means major change in the legislation.

Since to get Carers Allowance you need to be caring for someone in receipt of a disability payment ; PIP, or Attendance Allowance among others it can be argued that as the purpose of disability allowances of all kinds is to pay for extra living expenses someone has because of their disability, then some of that money should go to the carer, which would be extra income for them above the carer's minumum.

Let me be clear I am making an argument, not saying it is one I would support, but it is a valid argument.

Carer’s Allowance is a pathetic amount to compensate for not being able to work, and is lost if you go over the limited amount you are allowed to earn.
But yes, it is an” overlapping benefit” and cannot be awarded to anyone in receipt of State Pension.
Blur25, I think many carers have no time or energy left for working.

But carers allowance is for working age people to take into account they’re unable to work & earn a wage. If you’re retired anyway & getting a pension, the caring isn’t stopping you from working.

We can’t be giving out benefits to everyone. It’s why we all need to save as much as possible to pay for things like this in old age.

Apply for attendance allowance I will be in the same boat in aug I will be so much worse off when I get my pension

I don't understand why people keep posting about attendance allowance. The OP is questioning why she, as a carer, can't get carers allowance. Attendance allowance would be something her husband can claim for himself but why shouldn't she get something as a carer that is paid to carers?

Hi. Call adult social care you are in need of a carers assessment for yourself as well as husband, Call age UK they are great, when you are filling in the Attendance allowance forms bace answers on worst day I got my daughter to do my husbands, letters from hospital and doctor the questions are! One thing there is a question about can you cook yourself a meal, that's not a ping meal it's a proper one. Also Blue badge. Can add this Facebook group Mobilese - the community for unpaid carers Fountain information were no question is silly.

Primrose, I just want to add my voice to others here saying that you must fit in time to do what you like to do . Your batteries need recharging for your own wellbeing.
Once you have control over the carers, it might be easier to be more clear on what you want done ( and don't) : my Mum's carers were great and did what we wanted them to do.
One wasn't great, so we contacted the agency to say that we did mot want her again.
Good luck.

I have been caring for my husband for many years and it is a full time job! And tiring.
Your husband is entitled to professional care and if the carers are not excellent you need to tell their manager.
I have learnt and so has my friend that you need to be 'in charge' ... keep a diary of care issues, every day, noting what the carers are doing etc. What care you need for your husband...this all sounds daunting but you will have all your issues in black and white.....helps when talking to people about your carers or your husband.
Have you had a full carers assessment? This assessment is for YOU. Your needs and advice on benefits, finance
This is a huge change to your life a big shock...its not easy. If you need to sleep/nap do it....
I hope you don't think I am being bossy....
Carers UK, Age Concern , Citizens Advice Bureau can all advise you.

One step at a time.. Wishing you both well

Age uk are very helpful. My husband had 3 strokes, 3 years ago and I’ve cared for him ever since. The carers from the agency were good, but you have to be clear what you want them to do, which is hard at first as you don’t know yourself. I stopped using them a few months after the 6 weeks and now employ 2 private carers, cheaper than the agency, consistent, and they do what they are asked to do. Much better. I agree it’s the adjustment that’s really hard, took me 2 years of grieving before I fully accepted the new situation. You’re suddenly on your own but you’re not! I’ve never had to look after anyone before so found the transition hard. I make sure I get regular breaks and am working harder than I ever have. I worry about getting older and having to do it and that there’s no one to look after me. But you just get on with it. There is a very good social app for carers which offers a lot of support and practical help.mobilise look them up, really good. Good luck! 🤞🏻

But your DH and maybe yourself could get Attendance Allowance. Please do contact Age UK to find out what your eligible for. Best of luck.

It’s your dh that claims it so not you. In that respect many pensioners get it.

win

BlueBelle

Can I just add as Granniesunite said my Dads carers became his friends and loved him they would do anything for him within their means he really looked forward to their visits Most were from other countries and at first he was scared they wouldn’t understand him but they were wonderful with him two or three even came to his funeral A young Portuguese man was a real friend and went over and above when he could

I do wish you good luck I m sure you are still in shock with all the changes

I too would like to add to what Granniesunite said. My late husband had a massive stroke in 2006, I have written about it many times on here. I also had to give up work overnight. He was in hospital for 6 months and the last 2 weeks after the consultant finally agreed to him coming home and me caring for him we came home with a care package in place like Primrose has. I was determined to be his main carer so they trained me the last 2 weeks to do everything the carers would do, but due to not being able to have a ceiling hoist I had to have one carer with me when we hoisted and also needed it for rolling when dressing as we was totally paralysed.
I immediately told the domiciliary company only to send one carer and we would work together, it took time, but you need patience and willingness to adapt. I trained the carers to work to the system I had learnt and showed them how I required them to do things. In the beginning I had 32 slots in a week, and just as many different carers but I soon got that down to a team of 8. Be grateful for your first 6 free weeks, we never had that in our days, but these carers you are getting are from Rapid Response/UCR or whatever they are called in your area, they have to cover as many people as possible each day and have many emergencies so can't give definite slots.. When your 6 weeks are up you will be able to use private PAs and pay for them with a budget on direct Payments if you are funded by Adult Care or if you savings or a high income then you will be self funding but you will still be able to find your own carers and don't have to a domiciliary company if you do not wish to, although it is much easier at times.. You can chose a small team, but just enough to cover all the slots, holidays and sickness and my word, you will be glad of these angels who help you daily care for your husband, which you simply cannot do single handed. You sound angry that life has dealt you this enormous blow, I hope that will pass and you will start to make the best of a bad situation. I was determined to live as normal as possible a life and we went out every single day just as we used to. Yes it takes a long time to get ready in the morning, I always allowed 2 1/2 hours and likewise at night. Sorting medication, appointments, finding suitable clothes and all these things are so difficult initially but it all becomes your new normal. The sooner you accept that this is how it is going to be the better a life you can have together. Your husband must be feeling your resentfulness and this is definitely not good for either of you. Be grateful your husband survived this large stroke, so many do not. I wish you luck with settling in to your new normal and feel sure you will soon be able to see things in a better light, Have you got Stroke Association support in your area, we did not, but I know they are great support to some.

Spot on, I AM angry and resentful but I reckon that’s fairly normal in this situation. I never show that side to my husband, never. I am always positive with him and help him with his exercises, sourcing information, making calls etc. he has been very depressed because he is normally so active. Riding - both motorbikes and horses, doing DIY, gardening, washing our vehicles regularly, still working part time etc.

I have only felt grateful to two of the carers we have had out of about 20. They don’t save me any time at all, they don’t clear up after themselves and most of them show no interest in my husband. They are from county council not Rapid Response.

You sound far more accepting than me but I also had 14 years of caring for my Mum and one of my offspring has special needs so has needed loads more help than most kids for 40 years. I had hoped for just a few years doing stuff I wanted to do. Don’t care if tha sounds selfish, it’s how I feel.

Primrose53

BlueBelle

I think you are missing out on allowances Primrose ask your GP to send you a social worker you will be surprised at what you can get to help you both in money and in appliances
Please don’t be so down on the carers they are rushing though traffic to get from placement to a placement it’s not an easy job they are only allowed a certain amount of time fr each so perhaps do have to rush
Six Weeks free care really is a generous offer for most people

I think you are understandably very ‘down’ at the recent change of events and you may need some help yourself Life is not a bowl of cherries when illness takes over but help is out there you just need to find it and that can be difficult
Good luck Primrose

All I expect is for them to assist us for the time they are supposed to be here. The other night one woman stayed for 8 minutes.

Whatever I think would be really useful, they say they are not allowed to do. Tidy the bed …. No. Give medication …. No. Use a piece of equipment to move to another room ….. no. Even though instruction book says it can be used.

I would LOVE to ring the Manager and say the service is great but it really isn’t.

You don't have to accept these visits, you can cell them and find your own carers straight away, but of course you will have to pay. The reason it is free is because they are an after care service which only does what it is essential. When you start having either PA~s or domiciliary care you are in charge because you will be paying and you can start to tell them what you would like and insist they stay the time you are paying for. It does not matter if you are being funded that is still the case because you are in fact paying their wages. Have patience and get these 6 weeks over and done with, then start afresh. Why not employ a cleaner for a few weeks to help you through the initial period until you are all settled in to a routine. It will happen, but you will need a positive attitude for it to work. Good luck.

BlueBelle

Can I just add as Granniesunite said my Dads carers became his friends and loved him they would do anything for him within their means he really looked forward to their visits Most were from other countries and at first he was scared they wouldn’t understand him but they were wonderful with him two or three even came to his funeral A young Portuguese man was a real friend and went over and above when he could

I do wish you good luck I m sure you are still in shock with all the changes

I too would like to add to what Granniesunite said. My late husband had a massive stroke in 2006, I have written about it many times on here. I also had to give up work overnight. He was in hospital for 6 months and the last 2 weeks after the consultant finally agreed to him coming home and me caring for him we came home with a care package in place like Primrose has. I was determined to be his main carer so they trained me the last 2 weeks to do everything the carers would do, but due to not being able to have a ceiling hoist I had to have one carer with me when we hoisted and also needed it for rolling when dressing as we was totally paralysed.
I immediately told the domiciliary company only to send one carer and we would work together, it took time, but you need patience and willingness to adapt. I trained the carers to work to the system I had learnt and showed them how I required them to do things. In the beginning I had 32 slots in a week, and just as many different carers but I soon got that down to a team of 8. Be grateful for your first 6 free weeks, we never had that in our days, but these carers you are getting are from Rapid Response/UCR or whatever they are called in your area, they have to cover as many people as possible each day and have many emergencies so can't give definite slots.. When your 6 weeks are up you will be able to use private PAs and pay for them with a budget on direct Payments if you are funded by Adult Care or if you savings or a high income then you will be self funding but you will still be able to find your own carers and don't have to a domiciliary company if you do not wish to, although it is much easier at times.. You can chose a small team, but just enough to cover all the slots, holidays and sickness and my word, you will be glad of these angels who help you daily care for your husband, which you simply cannot do single handed. You sound angry that life has dealt you this enormous blow, I hope that will pass and you will start to make the best of a bad situation. I was determined to live as normal as possible a life and we went out every single day just as we used to. Yes it takes a long time to get ready in the morning, I always allowed 2 1/2 hours and likewise at night. Sorting medication, appointments, finding suitable clothes and all these things are so difficult initially but it all becomes your new normal. The sooner you accept that this is how it is going to be the better a life you can have together. Your husband must be feeling your resentfulness and this is definitely not good for either of you. Be grateful your husband survived this large stroke, so many do not. I wish you luck with settling in to your new normal and feel sure you will soon be able to see things in a better light, Have you got Stroke Association support in your area, we did not, but I know they are great support to some.