Can/Should I Register as a Carer

Hi

Can/Should I Register as a Carer - Will it affect Claimants Benefits?

My brother is a 56 year old he suffers with uncontrolled epilepsy and lives alone, he has undergone two unsuccessful brain surgeries operations, the last a couple of years ago. He lives in a Housing Ass property and is in receipt of ESA and DLA, having lost the mobility component of his benefits after surgery.

I am 61 years old and lived within the EU, for the past 8 years mostly not in the UK. I travel to the UK as much a humanly possible to support my brother whom I am becoming increasingly concerned about as he gets depressed, dealing with his illness is very difficult and the fact he has undergone two unsuccessful operations. The worry and the travel are wearing me down and I am seriously thinking of suggesting I move in with him.

I receive a tiny private pension at the moment and am not working. I am concerned that if I move in with my brother his rent will increase and he may lose some benefits as it would appear I should if living with him register as his Carer.

I would suggest he has a Carer call to ensure he is okay every day, he would not consider this, he is not the type of person who would have a stranger check on him. If I asked a neighbour to do this he would be very annoyed as he does not like people to view him as a victim.

I am in a difficult situation. If I came to the UK to take care of him would I be best advised to register as his Carer? Would it cause him all sorts of problems with his benefits and rent/council tax.

Many thanks

Mary

Once again thank you. My brother is a constant worry, I will look at the website you suggest and take it from there. I have never claimed benefits myself, I appreciate what a minefield it is to navigate after trying to assist others through the system.

I appreciate your kind assistance.

Many thanks

On your next UK visit could you pop in to CAB. If you can that would be very helpful to you, or failing that to g the DLA direct from UK, it is free now I think from UK landlines.

Thank you Judy I will do as you say. Maybe I should undertake some training in completing these forms so I can feel useful to others. You are most kind and it is a good thing people can refer to people like yourself for assistance.

Many thanks

Mary