Carers allowance

As Whiff has already said…..best to get advice from Citizens Advice or Age UK, alternatively there might be a support charity in your area - I know there is where I live and they actually do ‘form fills’ for people.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/carers-allowance/

Read this link for fuller information and follow links to gov.uk.

The form requires financial and other factual information. It is important to get the details right, but it isn’t tricky to word, unlike PIP or AA. So it is good to get a family member, friend or neighbour to double check entries.

NB.
CA is NOT available if you claim state pension as it is an overlapping benefit.
Check with the person you are caring for, as if you get CA, they may lose some benefits.
There is a limit to what-you can earn whilst on CA.

When my husband died they stopped my Carer's Allowance for looking after my Brother as I got Bereavement Allowance for a year and it was an overlapping Benefit, still had my stamp paid though. When I started Carers Allowance again they still paid it despite a Works Pension from my Husband.

Primrose53 I'm also getting SP but as I am still caring for over 35 hours a week I am entitled to carer allowance but it's not paid. So, I do still apply for CA and insist that they recognise I've got what they call an 'Underlying Entitlement to CA' - that I'm a carer providing care, despite not qualifying for a financial award. It's not good to have to provide all this care without recognition at least! Too many of us are fobbed off and not counted because we let things lapse when we don't get paid due to recieving SP.

Very good point Jess. It can sometimes open other doors.

And try to get a Carer's Passport and Registered as a Carer with your GP and your DH's if they are different.

Jess20

Primrose53 I'm also getting SP but as I am still caring for over 35 hours a week I am entitled to carer allowance but it's not paid. So, I do still apply for CA and insist that they recognise I've got what they call an 'Underlying Entitlement to CA' - that I'm a carer providing care, despite not qualifying for a financial award. It's not good to have to provide all this care without recognition at least! Too many of us are fobbed off and not counted because we let things lapse when we don't get paid due to recieving SP.

Never thought of that thanks.

Also, just be aware to get those forms in quick! I applied on 2nd February and still haven’t heard anything….. however, it is all backdated and also can be claimed I think for three months’ prior to the claim date if you were Caring then.
I decided to claim as there was a discussion with the DWP about paying a further disability allowance on top of her PC and AA which didn’t seem to materialise. As this affects my NI “stamps” it makes sense for me to claim it as not only am I my mum’s only Carer, I am 65 so obviously don’t get my state pension yet.

Just ask DWP they are really helpful you may be entitled but you have to care for him for 35 hours plus they will pay your NI which can boost your state pension when you get it good luck

Happyhead

I spend about 25 hours a week caring for my 92 year old dad. I shop, cook, manage money, medical issues, arrange and take him to appointments etc, take him out, do his washing.
I’m below pension age, but am retired and receive a workplace pension.
Dad gets attendance allowance.
Am I entitled to any carers allowance?

I believe it's attendance allowance if you care for someone over retirement age. Apply and see.

I did that too. I was not entitled to anything. Saved the govt. a fortune but goes for nothing! I loved my dad and did it willingly but.... same when my parents looked after their grandchildren when they were little and I was working...they were entitled to nothing! Whole system is a complete mess!

Yes you are. Please go to Gov.Uk, read the info there and fill in the form. As has been pointed out your hours of caring will no doubt easily be 35 hours. You must include the behind the scenes work and being on call etc , as others have said.

Shopping etc and activities outside the home. I am pretty sure 35 hours of your time ( including thinking/planning time ) is easily reached. Please apply assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62a9d5f48fa8f5038ef7cb79/an-introduction-to-carers-allowance-easy-read.pdf

You need “experts” to help complete any forms like Age Concern or Citizens Advice. They know the terminology to use.