Made Redundent.

Hi All,

I am on PIP since being retired on ill health in 2013 after a significant brain injury x 2, and several strokes.

I have several other issues that affect my mobility, and to be honest have been struggling on my own during the day for a while.

I am 64, and my wife is 55, and is about to be made redundant.

We have been debating whether I/she should apply for 'carers allowance'

I worked for 44 years before the accident so am now wondering what else may be available for me and/or my wife.

I get a small work pension, that reduces my ESA (Support) allowance to very little, but I think this stops when I get my pension next year?

Any information on what is available would be very helpful?

I think she would be able to apply for 'carers allowance'

Can she ask for job seekers allowance at the same time, or is that a contradiction as she will be caring for me as well?

When I walked from my work place in 2013 I had no idea if I was eligible for anything, but the local job centre were actually very helpful, and directed me towards ESA & PIP.

Without those benefits we would have been in a challenging position, but as my abilities decline it now seems as if my dear wife will have to spend more time with me.

I also have Hemiplegic Migraine, Polymyalgia Rheumatica after Lyme Disease, and continue to enjoy the occasional TIA, but the worse thing of all is Arthritis for which I am prescribed two differing types of Morphine.

And to put the cherry on the cake I have to wear a CPAP at night for OSA, talk about Herman Munster lol

You have to laugh, its all we can afford.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Regards

Hi Lewis,

I'm sorry to hear about your wife's impending redundancy

You are right in saying that your ESA will stop when your State Retirement Pension starts next year.

As your wife is younger than you, she might need more years NI for her own State Retirement Pension. Claiming Carer's Allowance would bring in a few more pennies and would also give her NI credits towards the pension. She would need to be providing at least 35 hours per week care for you and earning less than around £110 per week.

Being in receipt of CA also entitles the claimant to Income Support if the couple's income is low enough. I suggest you look at one of the sites such as 'turn2us' and put in your estimated figures to see whether it is likely she can claim IS either now (once the CA claim is agreed) or when you get your SRP.

www.turn2us.org.uk/Find-Benefits-Grants