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Query on carers allowance
- Benson
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2 years 5 months ago #272619 by Benson
Query on carers allowance was created by Benson
I normally post here for myself due to my own issues, but thought I would try and ask about an issue my mum is having today. My dad has got serious health issues in the last year. My mum is 80 and has just her pension and attendance allowance. She went to claim carers allowance as she was advised this can be claimed if you get attendance allowance, and because she is caring for him daily and needs to often buy items for his problems, and the wording in the letter is so confusing, it says.....
"You are entitled to £69.70 a week from 18th April" then underneath it says
"We cannot pay you from 18th April. This is because the amount of state pension you get is equal or higher than the amount of Carers Allowance we could pay you".
So she cannot get carers allowance because she has a pension ??? Why say she is entitled but then say in the same letter she cannot be paid ? She will of course ring the DWP on Monday to speak to them but I just wondered if I am reading it right that this appears to say she is entitled to it but gets too much pension for them to pay it ??? Wasn't sure if I read wrong. From what I know she gets the standard pension amount, no other benefits, no housing benefit or PIP or anything else other than the attendance allowance.
Thanks for any help.
"You are entitled to £69.70 a week from 18th April" then underneath it says
"We cannot pay you from 18th April. This is because the amount of state pension you get is equal or higher than the amount of Carers Allowance we could pay you".
So she cannot get carers allowance because she has a pension ??? Why say she is entitled but then say in the same letter she cannot be paid ? She will of course ring the DWP on Monday to speak to them but I just wondered if I am reading it right that this appears to say she is entitled to it but gets too much pension for them to pay it ??? Wasn't sure if I read wrong. From what I know she gets the standard pension amount, no other benefits, no housing benefit or PIP or anything else other than the attendance allowance.
Thanks for any help.
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- LL26
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2 years 5 months ago #272632 by LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by LL26 on topic Query on carers allowance
Hi Benson,
Aha, this is quite complicated. Bear with me...
Carer’s Allowance is designed to help those of working age have some income when they do caring, or to supplement a small part time job. Because CA is a work replacement benefit, a pensioner can't receive CA. If you qualify for all the other requirements of CA apart from age, you can get the equivalent of CA as a Carer Premium. This gets paid as a means tested top up on the basic pension. However, this is only paid if your pension is below the guarantee level.
It would appear from what you say, DWP accept that your mum is a carer, but the joint income of her and your father is higher than guarantee level and hence no means tested top up or premium can be paid.
You may wish to contact a local benefits advice centre such as CAB, to get a thorough benefits check done for both your parents to get their general entitlement.
I hope this helps
LL26
Aha, this is quite complicated. Bear with me...
Carer’s Allowance is designed to help those of working age have some income when they do caring, or to supplement a small part time job. Because CA is a work replacement benefit, a pensioner can't receive CA. If you qualify for all the other requirements of CA apart from age, you can get the equivalent of CA as a Carer Premium. This gets paid as a means tested top up on the basic pension. However, this is only paid if your pension is below the guarantee level.
It would appear from what you say, DWP accept that your mum is a carer, but the joint income of her and your father is higher than guarantee level and hence no means tested top up or premium can be paid.
You may wish to contact a local benefits advice centre such as CAB, to get a thorough benefits check done for both your parents to get their general entitlement.
I hope this helps
LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Gary
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2 years 5 months ago #272635 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic Query on carers allowance
Hi Benson
What LL26 has informed you is correct, Carers Allowance is classed as an overlapping benefit with your state pension.
What your mother does have is an underlying entitlement, this means that if your mother is eligible to claim Pension Credit or Housing benefit then she would get an additional premium.
I would advise you to seek help from a Welfare Rights Organisation to check if your parents are receiving all their benefit entitlements such as Pension Credit.
Does your father receive Attendance Allowance, does anyone else live with your parents?
These are some of the basic questions your parents will be asked as well as what income do they have coming in, private/occupational pension, any savings; advicelocal.uk
Gary
What LL26 has informed you is correct, Carers Allowance is classed as an overlapping benefit with your state pension.
What your mother does have is an underlying entitlement, this means that if your mother is eligible to claim Pension Credit or Housing benefit then she would get an additional premium.
I would advise you to seek help from a Welfare Rights Organisation to check if your parents are receiving all their benefit entitlements such as Pension Credit.
Does your father receive Attendance Allowance, does anyone else live with your parents?
These are some of the basic questions your parents will be asked as well as what income do they have coming in, private/occupational pension, any savings; advicelocal.uk
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: LL26
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