Thanks Jendurham for your post - I'll pass your advice on to my sister who is in a similar position to the OP.
I've been told that DLA awarded for life will be re-assessed under the governments new plans. I think it'll be replaced by the new Personal independence payment. I'll have a look at the websites you list. I expect the cost of all these changes will far outweigh any financial savings. The stress on people whose health is already poor is enormous.
Gransnet forums
Legal, pensions and money
what do I get with my husbands state pension
(21 Posts)Disability Living Allowance is not always a lifetime award.
The reason I said get in touch with AgeUk is because all the rules are in flux at the moment. Anybody applying from now on will have to have a PIP assessment.
AgeUK will know all the new rules.
There is a good website called We are Spartacus and another one called False Economy where you will also be able to get info about the problems present claimants have.
Pleased you are going to contact AgeUk on Tuesday.
My husband had DLA for mobility from 1996 when he fell off a ladder and broke his back.
As his care needs got progressively worse, he would ring up the DLA office in Liverpool. Someone would say they would reassess if he filled in the forms, but he might lose the mobility allowance as the rules had changed. So we never applied as he needed a motability car to get around. Then when he got near to retirement age we rang AgeUk who sent someone round who knew about all the allowances, etc.
They were very helpful, and got us extra money. Hopefully they will be able to do the same for you.
thanks for that, so it seems we should get more, we will visit age uk on Tuesday
Although your husband will only receive the pension he has earned, when you apply for pension credit the assessment should be made on the basis that you are a couple. They should look at total household income coming in, although DLA is not included in the actual calculations, and work out your entitlement to credit based on the basis of it being a household of 2, one of whom is disabled.
The current basic rate of Pension Credit for a couple is currently £220 05 and the additional amount you get if you are a carer is £33.30. I got this information from the Age UK Fact Sheet on Pension Credit www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN-GB/Factsheets/FS48_Pension_Credit_fcs.pdf?dtrk=true
There is a government site that enables you to calculate pension credit entitlement online. It is pensions-service.direct.gov.uk/en/pension-credit-calculator/calculate.asp
annie56 your husband's pension is just that - his individual pension based on his contributions.
Like me you will have to wait another 10 years for yours!
but really the question is does my husband get anything extra for me and is the pension mount of £110 plus some serps etc = £158 for a couple or single as I am under 60?
Pensioners can get Pension Credit and it is well worth it however little you receive as it brings lots of other benefits eg free dental treatment.
I think the advice to contact AGE UK is the best thing you can do as they will have the knowledge needed to help you.
well my husband had pension credit from 60 and it will end next month when he gets state pension, so am not sure whether he can get PC again - really do not know and I am only 56 so cannot get pension in my own right yet
You cannot not get DLA and Attendance Allowance.
DLA is granted to people who become disabled below retirement age, although once they get it they have it for life.
Attendance Allowance is for people who have only become disabled after they have retired.
Why the difference I have no idea.
My mother and aunt never received DLA but they did get Attendance Allowance. My mother still does. I don't know if you can get both.
DLA is a lifetime award and once awarded you continue to receive it regardless of age. Carers Allowance is awarded to the carer for caring for the disabled person. You only receive it if you have an income below a very low limit, I am not sure of the exact amount and you cannot receive Carers Allowance with a Pension.
I think the reasoning for this is that Carers Allowance is recompense for income lost by staying at home and caring rather than working. When you reach State Pension age the pension pays you to be able to stay at home and not work an so the purpose of both sums overlap and you cannot be paid twice for being at home. I am not defending the view, which I think it is indefensible. I am merely explaining.
However there is more to Carers Allowance than just the cash sum. It also carries an entitlement to extra Income Support if you are on a low income, which you can get even when you are on State Pension.
The advice to visit Age UK is excellent. My understanding of the Benefit System is based on 10 years as a Benefit Advisor with Age Concern, although I ceased to do this work about six years ago.
Are you 65 yet, Annie56 ? The DLA is yours, not your husband's. That should continue until you qualify for the old age pension.
I don't think you can receive carers allowance once you are in receipt of State Pension but you may be able to claim Pension Credit...take a look here..
www.ageuk.org.uk/money-matters/claiming-benefits/carers-allowance/
I think jendurham is talking about Attendance Allowance which is available to people receiving a state pension. Your DH might be eligible for Pension Credit of some sort.
If AgeUk can't help you try your local CAB.
ok thanks will try that
Get in touch with AgeUk's local office. We had someone come and help us to get extra money a couple of years ago when my husband became more ill than he had been . All the rules have changed since then, but there was a retired legal officer from the Council working for them in our local AgeUk. Ken had DLA and a Motability car for a few years.
We thought we were quite savvy, both intelligent, both with degrees, but some of the forms are designed to trip you up. This man reworded what Ken had written and got us an extra 70+ pounds a week after Ken retired.
No I get disability living allowance and my husband the carers allowance for looking after me - nowhere does it mention about extra amounts for me or our son on husbands letters from pension service
I always thought it was YOU who was the recipient of the carer's allowance I mean it depended on you, not the carer. Am I wrong? Surely your husband's pension should not be affected? I am certain there will be people here who know their way around this minefield. Good luck!
I forgot to say I am only 56 so nowhere near pension age either
My husband is turning 65 next month and he will lose carers allowance for looking after me. I get DLA. He has had a letter telling him he will receive £157 state pension but no mention of any money for me or anything to replace the carers allowance. we also have a teenage son (14) so we will lose about £100 weekly. So does anyone know if we are entitled to money for me? the letter does not even say if it is single or married pension, we wont be able to survive with losing £100 week and also it doesnt seem fair that reaching 65 takes money from you. Do I claim something for myself?
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