Carers Question Please

Hi, my wife has been placed on PIP after getting DS1500 a few months ago now, sadly I was caring for her but I have now developed health problems and had to stop, so I got my sister to become her carer.

My sister has been a carer for my wife for a couple of months now, but now sadly my sister has just broken her leg in two places which means it is very hard for her to come to our home for the 35 hours per week the Government lays down.

My sister has now started to get her husband to come here to our home twice a day to pick up or deliver my wifes medication so she can maintain sorting her daily medication, picking up the dirty washing, she washes it, dries it and her husband brings it back and most of all she gets her husband to pick up the shopping either from our home or from the shops so my sister makes pre-cooked meals we can microwave.
My sister also gets her husband to bring her here to stay at least one night per week so I can have some rest at night once a week.

I'm sorry it's long winded but that is what is happening, can my sister continue to claim Carers, she is more or less doing the same and trying so hard to. She don't want to contact the Carers dept incase it causes changes but I told her she needs too, can I ask you what do you think. Thank you. Graham.

Hi Graham,

In order to be entitled to claim CA the carer must be providing at least 35 hours care per week, although this does not always have to be hands-on care.

Certainly, sorting out your wife's medications, preparing meals and having her to stay will all count towards this. If your sister is still providing the required level of care, despite her own problems, she can continue to claim the benefit.