Advice re becoming a carer 24/7 / claiming financial support.

SCmumof3

Myself and husband have been getting carers allowance for a couple of years as we have supported my mother in law by allowing her to stay in her own home. She is housebound, bad health ( on a cocktail of medication ) and has mobility issues so needs a walking aid. Until recently our regular visits and errand running worked until she had a fall that led her to be in hospital for the past 8 weeks. She has deteriated to the point she now needs to come and live with us so we can care for her day and night. She is unable to do anything for herself, even personal care! 

Neither us or mother in law receive any kind of benefits ( apart from carers allowance ) so hopefully this answers any questions that may be asked before advice given. 

We will both be reducing our working days to provide her with support 24/7 but at a cost of our monthly income. So what can we claim for if anything else? 

Pip is not an option as she is retired , she WILL be entitled to top tier of carers allowance now though! Is there any advice on what else we are eligible for ? 

Thank you so much in advance for any advice/ support.

poppy123456

There seems to be some confusion here. 

SCmumof3 said:

Myself and husband have been getting carers allowance for a couple of years 

Carers allowance is a benefit you claim for looking after someone that claims a qualifying disability benefit such as PIP daily living, DLA mid/high rate care or Attendance Allowance and you wouldn't both be claiming it together. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/carers-allowance/

SCmumof3 said:

Pip is not an option as she is retired , she WILL be entitled to top tier of carers allowance now 

She can't claim carers allowance for looking after herself. You also said neither of you are claiming any benefits so I'm unsure exactly what it is you're claiming for looking after her. 

Does she claim her state pension? 

As she's state pension age and above the only disability benefit she can claim is Attendance Allowance. https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/attendance-allowance/

For yourself and husband the only benefit that maybe possible to claim is Universal Credit. This is a means tested benefit so whether there's any entitlement will depend on your joint circumstances. If you have capital of more than £16,000 then you're excluded from claiming. You can use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator

Do you own or rent your home? If you rent then your UC can include help with the rent. 

If she claims AA and she's successfully awarded then one of you can claim carers element of Universal Credit (if there's any entitlement to UC) you can't both claim it. 

For carers allowance she will need a AA award for one of you to be able to claim this but earnings must be less than £139/week. If you claim this and UC at the same time then it's just deducted in full.